LEXINGTON, Ky. — National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), observed annually in early February (Feb. 4, 2026), celebrates the achievements of athletes, coaches, and leaders. This week, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) will be celebrating the faculty and student leaders who work within the CoSW’s Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL).
Dr. Carly Kimiecik, assistant professor, sat down with the CoSW to share her experience in the Sport Social Work field and her involvement in the SSW-RL as a researcher.
What inspired you to pursue Sport Social Work?
I’ve always been involved in sports both as an athlete and spectator, but my interest in sport social work truly deepened through my experiences working at the intersection of youth programming, social work, and college athletics. While working with after-school programs and youth sports in Columbus, Ohio, I held multiple roles that enabled me to engage with youth in sport and play settings and recognize the importance of sport for connection, growth, and overall wellbeing.
As I pursued my Master of Social Work at The Ohio State University, I found myself working in college student-athlete support initiatives at OSU and Purdue University while also pursuing my Ph.D. in Public Health. At Purdue, I managed a public health research lab, contributed to the Center for Health Excellence, Quality, and Innovation, and mentored student-athletes through the Center for Academic Vision and Excellence. These practice and research experiences fueled my interest in Sport Social Work, as I was continually drawn not only to athlete experiences but also to ways to improve and support them through research and community mechanisms to intentionally promote athlete wellbeing and foster more equitable, developmentally supportive sport environments. My background bridges youth programming, social work and sport-based youth development.
What is your role with the Sport Social Work Research Lab and how did you get involved with the lab?
I serve as a faculty member and researcher, supervising practicum students in the SSW-RL. Overall, I lead and support research projects, mentor students, and build partnerships between the university and community organizations, including sports-based groups and schools. My involvement with the SSW-RL comes from my academic and professional interests and experiences, as well as my effort to develop sport social work as a dedicated area within the discipline. I collaborate with colleagues within the College of Social Work and strive to create applied, community-engaged research and initiatives that enhance well-being for athletes of all ages. I am grateful to the SSW-RL director, Dr. Tarkington Newman, for the opportunity to contribute to the lab and for the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Matt Moore in sport social work research.
How do the initiatives within the SSW-RL support sports and recreation?
The SSW-RL is dedicated to improving wellbeing through sport, justice, and research. The lab’s work is guided by five research focus areas—youth sport and coaching, positive youth development, social justice promotion, mental health literacy, and sport social work—which aim to strengthen sport and recreation environments across the lifespan. Many of the lab’s initiatives focus on creating supportive systems for athletes by addressing mental health and broader psychosocial needs in sport settings. For female athletes, this involves prioritizing fair research practices, examining structural and cultural factors that shape sport experiences, and developing programs that support skill development, leadership, and long-term wellbeing. Through this work, the lab seeks to strengthen sport environments that help all athletes succeed both within sport and beyond it.
What does National Girls and Women in Sports Day mean to you and why is it important to celebrate?
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a chance to celebrate all women who play or have played sports—from youth to collegiate, young adult, professional, adult, and older adults. It is a moment for girls and women in sports to feel recognized, appreciated, and visible as the athletes they are! By celebrating this day, we can honor the women who paved the way and reflect on our current roles as girls and women in sports, helping to build confidence and community among us.
How do you hope to inspire the next generation of female scholars to get involved in Sport Social Work?
I hope to inspire the next generation of female scholars by showing them that Sport Social Work is an area where practice and research meaningfully intersect, and where their lived experiences, especially as current or former athletes, are valued. I am especially committed to supporting female athletes and helping make social work more visible and accessible as a pathway for those who want to stay connected to sport while creating positive change and enhancing experiences for athletes and the athletic community.
By mentoring students, involving athletes directly in research and applied projects, and highlighting the wide range of opportunities within Sport Social Work, I aim to demonstrate just how vast sport social work is and how much we need professionals who bring lived athletic experience to the work.
What is your favorite part of being a member of the Sport Social Work Research Lab?
I love working with university students who are affiliated with the SSW-RL! The SSW-RL lab comprised undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in social work, social work practice students, and other majors at the University of Kentucky. Additionally, the SSW-RL offers a platform to engage with and connect to other divisions across the University, local Lexington, and the surrounding area to collaborate with personnel, community-based organizations, and athletes of all ages.
How can interested individuals get involved with the SSW-RL and Sport Social Work?
For more information and to get involved with the SSW-RL, please contact the lab director, Dr. Tarkington J Newman, at tarkington.newman@uky.edu. Additionally, for more information about sport social work, connect with the professional organization, the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS). Additionally, Carlyn Kimiecik can also answer questions related to the SSW-RL or ASWIS at carly.kimiecik@uky.edu.
