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STAFF
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The Virginia Tech Athletics Department contracts with the Thomas
E. Cook Counseling Center to provide psychological services for
its student-athletes through the Sport Psychology Office. Dr. Gary
Bennett coordinates the sport psychology department, which offers
psychological and performance enhancement services for student-
athletes.
The mission of the sport psychology office is to promote student-
athlete learning and development. Consistent with the university’s
mission to “educate the whole person,” the sport psychology Program
promotes the academic, intellectual, social, emotional, athletic, and
personal development of student-athletes.
On average, Bennett conducts more than 50 individual sessions per
week and meets weekly with teams as the need arises. The response
to the sport psychology program has been positive. The student-
athletes are very receptive to the services offered by the doctors. The
sport psychology office reaches out to student-athletes who may not
have considered going to the counseling service that is offered to all
students at Virginia Tech.
Responsibilities:
Bennett meets with student-athletes on an
individual basis for personal counseling and to discuss the mental
aspects of the game. He also works on team building, communication,
and performance enhancement. Bennett has taught and supervised
pre-doctoral level interns.
Joined VT Staff:
2000 (full time since 2007); 18th year.
At Virginia Tech:
Bennett began working at Virginia Tech in 1995
at the Cook Counseling Center. Now, as the sport psychologist,
he also serves on the committees for nutrition, performance, and
substance abuse; and the planning committee for the “Summit for
Student-Athlete Success” events. He also works with various teams
in the area of performance enhancement.
Education:
Centre (Ky.) College, 1981, B.A. in English, where
he played baseball; University of Kentucky, 1988, master’s in
rehabilitation counseling; University of Kentucky, 1995, Ph.D in
counseling psychology.
Of Note:
Bennett is licensed as a clinical psychologist and has
additional training in sport psychology. He is certified as a sport
psychology consultant by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology
and is a member of Division 47 (exercise and sport psychology) of the
American Psychology Association.
Personal:
Bennett lives in Blacksburg and enjoys playing golf and
basketball, as well as hiking and skiing, in his spare time.
Responsibilities:
Zabinsky is responsible for all nutrition and
performance related concerns for varsity student-athletes, including
individual counseling, team talks, body composition analysis using the
Bod Pod, recovery nutrition plans, grocery store tours, training table
menu planning, travel meal arrangements, managing the Nutrition
Oasis and Fueling Stations, and supplement education.
Joined VT Staff:
2011; seventh year
At Virginia Tech:
Zabinsky worked as the sports nutrition graduate
assistant under former director Amy Freel before being hired as
director. She directs the nutrition and performance committee.
Education:
Roanoke College, 2005 (B.A. in sociology), while
competing in basketball for four years; Virginia Tech, 2009 (B.S. in
human nutrition, foods and exercise: dietetics option); Virginia Tech,
2010 (dietetic internship); Virginia Tech, 2013 (master of arts in
education).
Of Note:
Zabinsky is in her sixth year as director. She is a member
of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association
(CPSDA) and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Personal:
The Centreville, Virginia native, and husband Samuel
live in Christiansburg. The couple have twin boys, Kyle Eli and Kaleb
James.
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
S POR T P S Y CHO L OG I S T
S POR T NU T R I T I ON I S T
DR. GARY BENNETT
JENNIE ZABINSKY, MAE
D
, RD