For sports medicine professionals, translating clinical knowledge into broad, community-level education is a powerful way to elevate athlete safety. Meet Patrick Fleming, ATC, a current student in the online Kinesiology EdD program at CSP Global. Having recently started a new governmental role working with law officials in the fields of sports medicine and human performance, Fleming is using his doctoral education to bridge the gap between clinical best practices and real-world application.

From Athletic Trainer to Action-Minded Researcher

Fleming has always been passionate about the health and wellness of others, particularly within sports medicine and kinesiology. During his time working in youth sports and PRN events, he noticed a critical issue: a distinct lack of awareness and education among coaches and parents regarding proper concussion management.

Patrick Fleming with a young athlete at a middle school wrestling tournament (2025).

“It’s not that they did not know what to do, but rather have experienced a plethora of ‘too much’ information [when seeking] clarity to assist young athletes when a head injury was to occur,” he explains.

To best serve his community, he decided to pursue this topic in greater depth. Originally enrolled in a traditional, on-campus PhD program at a larger university, Fleming quickly realized his goals required a different approach.

“Due to my unique research and professional interests, as well as the demands of my schedule, I decided to transfer to CSP,” he shares.

“I realized I was more of an action-minded researcher and clinician and found the EdD degree in Kinesiology at CSP to be a better fit. The academic team and faculty at CSP have really solidified my decision for me.”

How to Balance a Career and a Doctoral Program

For prospective students asking, “How do you balance a full-time career with a doctoral program?”, Fleming’s experience highlights the value of an adaptable format. As a busy collegiate athletic trainer, CSP’s 100% online structure allowed him to manage his heavy workload while receiving the comprehensive faculty support needed to foster his development.

While serving as a certified athletic trainer (ATC) at the University of Mary Washington—a Division 3 college in Fredericksburg, Virginia—he needed an educational model that could accommodate his demanding hours. The flexible online format at CSP provided the solution.

“As an ATC, I am very busy working with athletes,” Fleming notes. “This program was flexible yet great in terms of the academic load, support and structure to foster learning and development.”

Award-Winning Research on Concussion Management

Now in the final chapter of his doctoral journey, Fleming is immersed in his dissertation, titled “Current Understanding Among Youth Coaches and Parents Associated With Girls Volleyball Relevant to Concussion Awareness and Management”.

His project investigates coaches’ and parents’ knowledge gaps to inform future policies, interventions, and educational resources—ultimately contributing to vital concussion risk reduction strategies. He credits the strong support system at CSP, specifically his chosen advisor, Dr. Richelle Williams, for providing essential guidance throughout this process.

Patrick Fleming with Dr. Tabia Pope, the president and owner of Head to Speech at the 2025 Headie Awards Ceremony.

Fleming’s recognition as a 2025 Headie Award Honoree in Innovation was a direct result of the applied, action-oriented research he conducted during his dissertation at CSP. Hosted annually by the national nonprofit Head to Speech, the Headie Awards celebrate trailblazers and visionaries focused on athlete brain health. Fleming was honored for his impactful work surrounding concussion education under last year’s theme: “Mind Over Matter: Unlocking Potential, Elevating Performance.”

Creating Real-World Impact in Sports Medicine

Looking to the future, Fleming is actively applying his research by developing a comprehensive, six-step guide called “Concussion and Care Ready”. Offering clear, actionable roles for parents and coaches in recognizing and responding to suspected concussions, this guide provides a personal, clinician-informed approach that cuts through the noise of broad government resources.

“I plan to act upon this guide within my local community and county to help promote best practices and recognition for concussion management in all youth sports,” he says.

Ready to Create Your Own Impact?

Patrick Fleming is using his EdD to drive meaningful change in youth concussion management. Whether you are an athletic trainer looking to implement community-wide protocols or a clinician ready to lead, discover how the flexible, online Doctorate in Kinesiology at CSP Global can help you turn your clinical passion into real-world action.

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