Leeann M. Lower-Hoppe is an assistant professor of Sport Management in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. Lower-Hoppe earned her B.A. in Math-Economics and Business Administration from Anderson University, during which time she competed as a Cross Country and Track athlete and directed intramural sport programming at the university. She completed her M.S. in Sport Management from Baylor University, while assisting with the administration of the university’s intramural sport program. Lower-Hoppe received a PhD in Sport Management from The Ohio State University, with a concentration in development through sport, recreation, and play, and specialization in general interdisciplinary quantitative research methodology. While at Ohio State, she acted as the research coordinator for the Learning in Fitness and Education through Sports (LiFE Sports) initiative and assisted the Recreational Sports Department with program evaluation and research.

Lower-Hoppe’s research investigates sport for health and human development through a multi-dimensional framework of organizational effectiveness to extend theory and practice, ultimately advancing the health and development of people through sport. Her largely collaborative research has resulted in 50+ peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 chapters in edited books, and 75+ international, national, and regional professional presentations. Engaging campus and community partners (e.g., OSU Recreational Sports, Special Olympics Ohio, LiFE Sports) is a central feature of Lower-Hoppe’s scholarship, to meet the needs of the community and effectively translate research to practice. Lower-Hoppe serves as an Associate Editor of the Recreational Sport Journal, Topic Editor for Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, and member of three editorial review boards. In addition, she provides research consultation for community sport organizations within central Ohio.