LiFEsports Team

Ph.D., M.S.W., University of Utah. M.S., B.A., B.S., Miami University

Dawn is a professor at the College of Social Work and affiliate faculty member in Human Sciences at OSU. Dawn serves as the Executive Director for Teaching/Research for LiFEsports. She is known nationally for her research in sport-based positive youth development, afterschool programming, and school mental health practice. She is a licensed independent social work (with supervision designation) in Ohio. Dawn was a college athlete, and also has coached soccer at the high school, Club, and community levels. Collectively she has over 30 years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating youth development, sport, exercise, and school mental health interventions for youth. Dawn has been at OSU since 2000, and joined the LiFEsports team in 2008. More information about Dawn Anderson-Butcher can be found at csw.osu.edu.

B.S.B.A., M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Jerome is currently the Director of Staff Development in the Department of Athletics, the LiFEsports Executive Director of Service & Outreach, and an Adjunct Professor in the College of Social Work and in the College of Education and Human Ecology. He is dedicated to providing a great experience to people of all ages through sport. He enjoys helping students excel at developing into great people, and to become effective members of society. He accomplishes this through his work in athletics, the LiFEsports Camp, and in the classroom.

B.S.W., Capital University, M.S.W., The Ohio State University

Rebecca is currently the Director of Operations for the LiFEsports Initiative. In this position, she is responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of all current programming. In addition to this role, she supports and manages teaching/learning, research, and fundraising endeavors within LiFEsports. During the summer, she serves as the Assistant Director for the LiFEsports Summer Camp. Becky joined the LiFEsports Initiative in 2008. Outside of LiFEsports, Becky is an independent licensed social worker in the State of Ohio, serves as a field consultant for the National Summer Learning Association, and has coached middle school soccer in Grandview Heights City Schools for the past 11 years.

M.S.W., The Ohio State University

Catelen is the LiFEsports Assistant Director of Programming.  She started with us in 2017, where she helped pilot our off-campus community programming. In the Assistant Director of Programming role, Catelen will oversee of all youth programming for the LiFEsports Initiative. She also leads our internship opportunity within the organization, where she supports students daily learning and helps prepare future professionals in youth development. Outside of LiFEsports you can find Catelen teaching in the College of Social Work, mentoring youth in the community and probably training for some half marathon!  .  

B.S.Ed., M.S.W., The Ohio State University 

Joe currently serves as the Off-Campus Program Manager for the LiFEsports Initiative. In this position, Joe is responsible for overseeing operations related to the community-based LiFEsports outreach programs. When he joined the team back in 2019 as a Graduate Student Intern, Joe identified with the mission of LiFEsports and appreciated the opportunity given to make a difference in the lives of those that need it the most through sport. Outside of LiFEsports, Joe coaches Middle School Basketball and Volleyball at Grandview Heights Middle School.

BSSW, MSW, The Ohio State University

Tommy is currently serving as the YLA Program Manager for the LiFEsports Initiative. In this position, Tommy is responsible for overseeing programming for the Youth Leadership Academy, working with high school aged youth to provide them with leadership development and college/career readiness programming. Tommy worked with LiFEsports in the summers of 2018 and 2019, where he found his passion for working with youth and their communities. Outside of LiFEsports, you can find Tommy playing volleyball whenever he has a chance and exploring all the great things Columbus has to offer!

Ph.D., The Ohio State University, B.S., M.S.W., Louisiana State University

Dr. Samantha Bates is an Assistant Professor in the OSU College of Social Work and our LiFEsports Director of Research. She is a licensed social worker with more than seven years of experience working with socially vulnerable youth in various settings including schools, communities, after school programs, and sport. Her research focuses on equity-minded positive youth development and mental wellness through sport. She is highly involved in driving our research agenda to identify key mechanisms and strategies that facilitate positive outcomes for our young people through sport. She is also helping to lead our Coach Beyond work that aims to train 15,000 coaches in positive youth development practices by 2025.

B.A., West Virginia University, M.Ed., University of Missouri

Sean is currently the Communications and Community Engagement Manager for the LiFEsports Initiative. In this position, he is responsible for increasing the visibility of LiFEsports by planning, improving, managing and executing news, social media, information strategies, and event management to requisite audiences. Sean graduated from West Virginia University in 2016, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a focus in Social Media. Sean also earned his varsity letter in wrestling during his time at WVU. He then went on to receive his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership from the University of Missouri in 2021. His passions are using his creative skills to advocate for prioritizing mental health with athletes and teaching others how to create positive change in their lives through sport.

B.A., The Ohio State University

Obi is a 2nd year Ph.D. student who is studying Kinesiology with a cognate in pedagogy and youth sport. Obi has previous experience in sport working as the OSU Men’s Soccer team manager and a youth soccer coach at various locations for the past 10 years. Obi also worked as an Ohio State Master of Sport Coaching graduate assistant. His favorite sport is soccer and he hopes to have a career within academia or a national governing organization after graduation.

Olivia is a first year MSW student at The Ohio State University and is graduate intern with CAYCI and LiFEsports. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Radiation Therapy at Ohio State in 2017. After graduation, Olivia spent three years at Pelotonia as a Community Coordinator supporting fundraising, recruitment, and community engagement. She then spent a year as a Development Manager for Hands On Nashville, leading revenue generating activities and cultivating funding relationships for the organization to respond to four devastating disasters in 2020 and 2021. Olivia is interested utilizing her community collaboration and relationship-building skills to focus on creating programming for positive youth development and young adult achievement. 

Sydney is currently a first year master student at the Ohio State University and is an MSW intern with LiFEsports/CAYCI. She previously completed her Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and in Political Science at Davidson College. She brings over three years of experience working with national and international non-profits in operations management, program development & evaluation and creative design. Sydney is interested in research related to enhancing athlete well-being and performance, using sport as a vehicle for positive development, life skill development and holistic approaches to health.

Sonia Mustric is an undergrad for Social Work at The Ohio State University and currently interns at LiFEsports. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and has experience working with a diversity of kids in schools, community centers, and churches located in Hilltop, Worthington, and Linden areas. Sonia has played four sports in high school with a 4-year varsity in track in hurdling. She is active, creative, and driven while also having a passion and care for those from low-income families or difficult home lives.

Hi everyone! My name is Chelsea Moore, and I am a student in the ASAP social work program here at OSU. I graduated from undergrad in 2021, took a year off to work in the field and have come full circle back to OSU to get my master's degree. During undergrad, my field placement was with CAYCI at Early College Academy. I now get to be a part of the LiFEsports side of things, and I am super excited to be included in the macro side of work. I plan to use my social work degree and license to implement programming related to access to higher education in school districts with limited resources and knowledge about college processes. I am a lover of shopping, spending quality time with the people I love, and small moments of stillness in my busy life. I am excited to embark on this journey of furthering my education and knowledge of all things social work related. 

Kethan is an undergraduate student who is planning on completing his bachelor's degree in Social Work. He is from Seattle, WA, and is currently an assistant Track and Field coach at The Wellington School. Kethan will be working on research and other curriculum tasks with our LiFEsports team.

Tanner Watson is an undergrad in Sports Industry at The Ohio State University as well as a student-athlete on the Track & Field team. He is from Cleveland, Ohio, and was an intern over the summer with LiFEsports for the main campus as well as the Linden location, This has led Tanner to become the YLA Assistant this upcoming year! Tanner is a BIG 10 placer in the discus as well as an All- American in Discus! 

Jacob Agoston is an undergraduate student in the College of Social Work. This is his fourth year studying Social Work and he is excited to soon graduate and receive his license. While still an undergraduate student, Jacob has taken many opportunities to gain experience in Social Work practice. This past summer, he worked as a camp counselor for LiFEsports’ community camp in Dublin and will continue to engage the Dublin community through the LiFEsports clinics offered during the school year. He is also completing his placement with the Early College Academy, and hopes to continue serving the youth of Franklin County through Social Work practice.

Quinten attended the University of Cincinnati for his first and second year of college then transferred back home to The Ohio State University for his third year and beyond. He majors in Sports Industry and is looking to graduate from OSU with a bachelor’s degree & pursue a career in the Sports Management field.