A Lifelong Passion for Sport Performance and Kinesiology Careers

For Dr. Neumann, sport performance has never been just a profession; it has been a lifelong calling shaped by athletics, mentorship, and a passion for helping others reach their potential. As the Director of Division II Sport Performance at St. Cloud State University, he oversees training and development for student-athletes across more than a dozen teams. But his journey into strength and conditioning began long before he stepped into a leadership role.

“I grew up in a small town, Carriere, Mississippi, where my journey in this field started as a high school student-athlete,” he shared. “I competed in football and powerlifting, and my passion for that helped me also compete in football at both the junior college and Division II levels.” After competing at both Pearl River Community College and Concordia University, St. Paul, Dr. Neumann discovered a deeper passion for athlete development, performance training, and strength and conditioning coaching. “That experience shaped my passion [in] ultimately pursuing a career in strength and conditioning.”

Over the years, Dr. Neumann has worked with hundreds of student-athletes while building programs centered on strength, speed, and power development. As his career evolved, so did his desire to better understand the science behind performance.

“I realized I wanted to deepen my understanding of performance from both a scientific and applied perspective,” he explained. “That led me to pursue my doctoral degree in Kinesiology, where I could bridge the gap between research and real-world coaching.”

Why He Chose Concordia University, St. Paul for His Doctoral Degree in Kinesiology

For Dr. Neumann, choosing CSP Global for his doctoral degree was about more than academics. It was about community, support, and relationships that shaped his career.

“I chose Concordia University, St. Paul because it was the first place that truly gave me an opportunity.” After transferring in 2018, he completed every level of his higher education there.

“I completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and now my PhD all through CSP,” he shared. “That journey means a lot to me because it represents a place that believed in me early on and continued to support my growth.”

While there was no single “aha” moment that convinced him to stay at CSP, the support he received from faculty made a lasting impact. “When I transferred in, there wasn’t an exact moment, but the staff for me is what made my decision,” Dr. Neumann explained. “At the undergraduate level, every one of my professors in the Kinesiology building showed nothing but love, support, and willingness to go above and beyond for me.” That environment helped solidify his decision to continue his education at CSP. “When they showed that, I knew they were the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with and continue to learn from.”

Dr. Joshua Neumann posing with Comet Bear, CSP’s mascot, at one of his undergraduate football games.

Applying Doctoral Kinesiology Research to Real-World Coaching

As a full-time sport performance professional, Dr. Neumann also appreciated how CSP Global’s Doctorate in Kinesiology program connected directly to the realities of coaching and athlete development. “From a professional standpoint, CSP offered the perfect balance between academic rigor and real-world application.” The ability to immediately apply course concepts to his day-to-day work became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. “That integration was huge for me. It wasn’t just theory — it was actionable knowledge that improved how I coached, programmed, and evaluated performance.”

He also credits the faculty for creating a supportive environment that understood the demands placed on working professionals. “The best part of the program was how applicable everything was to my profession,” he shared. “Every course, discussion, and assignment connected back to real-world performance.” Dr. Neumann adds, “I also valued the flexibility and support from faculty. They understood that many of us were working professionals, and they created an environment that pushed us academically while still allowing us to succeed in our careers.”

Dr. Joshua Neumann with mentor Dr. Lana Huberty, Kinesiology professor and Health Science & Kinesiology College Dean, at the May 2026 Commencement Ceremony at Concordia St. Paul.

Dissertation Research in Applied Kinesiology and Sport Performance

This year, Dr. Neumann is especially proud of continuing to expand the sport performance model at St. Cloud State. His work includes overseeing structured strength, speed, and power programming while mentoring interns and young coaches within the department. “Integrating more data-driven approaches has allowed us to better individualize programs and track athlete development,” he explained. “Seeing that translate to improved performance on the field has been incredibly rewarding.”

His commitment to evidence-based coaching also became the foundation of his dissertation research. Dr. Neumann’s study focused on comparing power output and related performance metrics between jump shrugs performed with a hex bar versus a straight bar. Specifically, his research examined variables such as power, velocity, rate of force development, and landing forces in collegiate athletes. “This topic came directly from my experience as a practitioner. Coaches often debate which barbell variation is more effective, but there’s limited applied research that clearly guides those decisions.”

For Dr. Neumann, the project was never just academic. “I wanted to provide practical, evidence-based insights that coaches can actually use in their programming,” he said. “This is absolutely a passion project for me. It’s something I continue to apply daily in my work, and I hope it contributes to bridging the gap between research and applied sport performance.”

Advice for Future Doctorate in Kinesiology Students

Reflecting on his doctoral journey, Dr. Neumann encourages future students to remain grounded in purpose and intentionality. “My biggest advice is to stay connected to your ‘why.’ A doctoral program is challenging, and there will be moments where it feels overwhelming. Having a clear purpose behind why you started will carry you through those moments.”

He also emphasizes the importance of applying learning beyond the classroom:

“Don’t just complete assignments — apply what you’re learning. The more you connect coursework to your real-world experiences, the more valuable the program becomes.”

Perhaps most importantly, he encourages students to invest in relationships. “Lean into the relationships you build with faculty and peers. That network is incredibly valuable.”

Looking Ahead After Earning a PhD in Kinesiology

Following graduation, Dr. Neumann plans to continue expanding his impact in the field of sport performance while mentoring the next generation of coaches and athletes. He also plans to continue contributing to research in power development and applied performance training. “Ultimately, my goal is to help bridge the gap between science and coaching in a way that meaningfully improves athlete performance.”

At the center of his journey is a commitment to faith, service, and purpose.

“I truly believe God has placed me in this position for a reason. My purpose is to serve others, to pour into the athletes and people I work with, and to be the best possible resource for them — not just in performance, but in life.”

A multi-level graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul, Dr. Neumann remains committed to making a positive impact wherever he is called.

Are you interested in advancing your career through an online doctorate in kinesiology? Learn how CSP Global’s doctoral kinesiology programs help working professionals connect research, leadership, and practice in meaningful ways.