Who is recognized as the father of sports psychology?

Coleman Griffith is recognized as the father of sports psychology due to his pioneering work in applying psychological principles to athletics and performance. He was the first to offer a course in sports psychology at the University of Illinois in the 1920s, highlighting the psychological factors that contribute to athletic performance and behavior. Griffith conducted groundbreaking research, including studies on mental training and the influence of psychological factors on performance, which laid the foundation for the field of sports psychology as we know it today. His contributions established a comprehensive understanding of how mental processes affect athletic performance, thereby earning him this significant title in the discipline.