2013 NCAA Convention

Foul Language and Sportsmanship:  Dealing with Student-Athletes’ Offensive Speech 

We have heard it … a close game, a missed shot, followed by an expletive. What is the psychology behind student-athlete swearing? What current policies, rules and practices deal with swearing and have they been effective? Can they be improved? This session will explore the role administrators, faculty, coaches and officials play in creating an appropriate competitive environment.

Speakers:

Lauren Cochlin, Former Student-Athlete, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lauren Cochlin is the Big 10 representative to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and serves as the media team chair. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double bachelor’s degree in political science and communication arts and played soccer for the Badgers. She has been heavily involved in SAAC since her freshman year at Wisconsin, and sat as president her junior and senior years. Currently, Cochlin works in wellness doing public engagement and outreach on behalf of a documentary called Food Patriots, which is a film and public engagement campaign about changing the food system one consumer at a time. Cochlin plans to attend graduate school next year in pursuit of a dual master’s degree in public health and public policy. 

Tim Jay, Faculty Athletics Representative, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Tim Jay began teaching at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) shortly after earning his doctorate in cognitive psychology at Kent State University in 1976.  Jay teaches Introduction to Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Communication and Perception, Environmental Psychology, and Language and Censorship.  He is the recipient of several distinguished teaching awards. He also currently serves as the faculty athletics representative for MCLA.

A world-renowned expert in cursing, Jay maintains an active schedule of research, writing and speaking.  He has published numerous books and chapters on cursing, and a textbook for Prentice Hall on The Psychology of Language.  Jay works closely with undergraduates on empirical research projects, and he and his students have presented their work at numerous conferences including meetings of the Association for Psychological Science, Eastern Psychological Association and New England Psychological Association.

Jay is frequently sought for his expertise on psycholinguistics.  He has served as a consultant to a number of school systems, and has been an expert witness in legal cases pertaining to obscenity and censorship.  Furthermore, Jay has been interviewed or featured in dozens of radio shows, television programs and documentary films.

Alan Patterson, Commissioner, Conference Carolinas

Alan Patterson is in his 31st year as commissioner of Conference Carolinas.  He was the first representative from Division II or III to be elected chair of the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.  He is leading a long-standing conference initiative to create and administer highly competitive athletics events that demonstrate sportsmanship and respect for all participants.

Patterson served on the faculty of Pfeiffer University, Catawba College and High Point University.  He was director of athletics at Pfeiffer and Catawba.

Patterson earned a bachelor’s degree at St. Lawrence University, where he played baseball.  He completed a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.