Since 2016, the Exercise and Sport Science Initiative (ESSI) has played a pivotal role in sport-science-related research at the University of Michigan. After moving its administrative home to the School of Kinesiology in 2022, ESSI expanded its educational offerings, resulting in three new elective courses available to all undergraduate students beginning in winter 2023.

Also in 2023, ESSI reimagined its mission, vision, and strategic priorities through a strategic planning process led by co-directors Ken Kozloff and Ron Zernicke (pictured). The new direction focuses on promoting and amplifying human performance and sport science research and education at U-M, while generating new knowledge about optimizing physical performance and health for people of all ages and abilities.

With the new priorities in place, ESSI proudly unveiled its new identity as the Human Performance & Sport Science Center (HPSSC) to the School of Kinesiology dean, Lori Ploutz-Snyder, and Executive Committee in early October to unanimous, positive support. The new name represents HPSSC’s future-forward mission and vision. HPSSC is also launching a new website, designed to showcase new courses, research, news, and the dedicated team behind it all.

For more information, please visit the HPSSC website.