Brent Heidorn, Ph.D.

Professor
Department of Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education College of Education

678-839-6189
bheidorn@westga.eWGG2BFjsYUgwn0u2KDdPqfZiboApKCwE9K5CXdu

Education Center - Room 102C
Office Hours
M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Download curriculum vitae for Brent Heidorn, Ph.D. in MS Word
Brent Heidorn, Ph.D.

Dr. Brent Heidorn is a tenured Professor of Health and Physical Education in the Department of Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education in the College of Education. He previously served as the Interim Department Chair of Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education for 18 months (2023-2024) and Associate Dean for Research and Assessment in the College of Education (COE) for nine years (2015-2024). In addition to his full-time faculty role in the department, he serves as special assistant to the Dean as he leads the COE through the assessment and approval process for all academic programs, in addition to other administrative responsibilities.

Brent was the program coordinator of the Health and Physical Education undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education for many years, where he has served since 2007. Before joining the faculty and staff at UWG, Brent received his doctoral degree in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina and worked for eight years as a physical education teacher, coach, and athletic director at the middle and high school levels. Brent also enjoyed two years teaching elementary physical education. His educational degrees include a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Bob Jones University, M.A. in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University, and a Ph.D. in Physical Education Pedagogy with a cognate in Health Promotion from the University of South Carolina. 

Brent's leadership and service activities in health and physical education include active membership in SHAPE America and the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (GAHPERD), where he served as president of the organization from 2013-2015. He was actively involved with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) serving on a variety of committees at the national level, including three years on the Physical Education Steering Committee, the Awards Committee, and the Publications Committee. Brent continues to serve through Fitnessgram, Physical Best, and as a member of the Publications Committee. He is a former Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (JOPERD), and is on the Editorial Review Board for Quest, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, JOPERD, Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, and the Health Education Journal. Brent was the Publications Editor of The GAHPERD Journal for five years and served as the Editor for the Theory to Practice column in Strategies for two years. He is also a professional presenter for PE Central. Brent has received awards including the SDAAHPERD Taylor Dodson Young Professional Award, the University of West Georgia College of Education Faculty Outstanding Service Award, and three awards from the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Brent's primary research interests include comprehensive school physical activity programs, physical education teacher education, and sport & fitness pedagogy. He has more than 90 authored or coauthored articles, chapters, reports, or reviews; and he has given more than 450 professional, scholarly, and workshop presentations. As Associate Dean for Research and Assessment in the COE, Brent's primary administrative responsibilities were to help support accreditation and program approval, the promotion and tenure process, scholarships, software management, external funding opportunities, international study abroad programs, and faculty mentoring and development.

Outside of the academic arena, Brent enjoys playing team and individual sports, participating in various fitness pursuits, and enjoying life with his wife and three children.

  • B.S., Health and Physical Education, Bob Jones University, 1997
  • M.A., Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, 2000
  • Ph.D., Physical Education, University of South Carolina, 2007

Fall 2025 Sections

Summer 2025 Sections

Spring 2025 Sections

Fall 2024 Sections

Summer 2022 Sections

Spring 2022 Sections

Fall 2021 Sections

Spring 2021 Sections

Fall 2020 Sections

Heidorn, B., Heidorn, J., & Buice, S. (2023). Balls and beats in physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance, 94(8), 5-8, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2023.2244059 [View Publication External Resource]

Eliott, E., McKenzie, T., Woods, A.M., Beighle, A., Heidorn, B. & Lorenz, K. (2022). Comprehensive school physical activity programs: Roots and potential growth. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (93(5), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07 [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B., Mosier, B., & Stoepker, P. (2022). Historical perspectives in CSPAP: Examining one PETE program’s story. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 93(6), 22-28. DOI:10.1080/07303084.2022.2081274 [View Publication (PDF)]

Kelley, J. & Heidorn, B. (2022). Engaging students for physical activity, skill, and fitness participation. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 35(5), 38-40. [View Publication (PDF)]

Shea, E. & Heidorn, B. (2022). Quality assessment in physical education: Concepts, examples, and recommendations. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators,35(6), 46-48, DOI:10.1080/08924562.2022.2120754 [View Publication (PDF)]

Whisenhunt, J., Biber, D., & Heidorn, B. (2022). On the front line: The role of physical educators in preventing student suicide. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 93(3), 25-31. [View Publication (PDF)]

Grimes, K. & Heidorn, B. (2022). Standards-based teaching in elementary physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 93(1), 51-54. [View Publication (PDF)]

Brooks, C., Stoepker, P., Mosier, B., & Heidorn, B. (2021). Theory into practice: The development and delivery of online professional development in physical education. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 35(5), 46-48. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Stoepker, P. (2021). Adopting the national coaching standards in sport programs. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 34(2), 31-36. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Huet, K. (2020). Coaching strategies for fitness testing. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 33(2), 41-43. [View Publication (PDF)]

Stoepker, P. & Heidorn, B. (2019) Coaching the Parental Side of the Game, Strategies, 32:5, 36-38, DOI: 10.1080/08924562.2019.1637181

Heidorn, B. & Mosier, B. (2019). Differentiation for student learning in physical education. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport and Educators, 32(4), pp. 40-44.

Biber, D., Stoepker, P., & Heidorn, B. (2019). Techniques to promote healthy self- regulation in the classroom. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators 32(2), 56-60. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, J. & Heidorn, B. (2018). Recess Reboot: Effective planning and implementation strategies for classroom teachers. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators 31(5), 48-52. [View Publication (PDF)]

Whisenhunt, J. & Heidorn, B. (2018). The role of physical educators as allies for students who self-injure. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 89(1), 46-51. [View Publication (PDF)]

Flynn, S., Duell, K., Dehaven, C., & Heidorn, B. (2017). Kick, stroke, and swim: Complementing Your Swimming Program by engaging the whole body on dry-land and in the pool. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 30(6), 33-38. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Mosier, B. (2017). Integrating CSPAP in PETE Programs: Sharing insights and identifying strategies from the University of West Georgia. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 88(1), 50-56. Invited. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2016). An outside of school physical activity requirement for physical education. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 29(5), 42-47. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B., Weaver, R. G., & Beighle, A. (2016). Viewpoint: Physical education and physical activity: A combined approach. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 87(4), 6-7. [View Publication (PDF)]

Mosier, B., Heidorn, B., & Johnson, C. (2015). Theory into practice: Conducting a hiring simulation fair for teacher education candidates. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport and Educators, 28(6), pp. 39-41. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2015). Editorial: Professional development in physical education: A focus on PETE students. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 86(9), 3-4. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2015). Editorial: Professional development in physical education. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 86(1), pp. 3-5. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Jenkins, D. B. (2015). Theory into practice: Supervision in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs: Making the case for paired placements. Strategies: A Journal for Sport and Physical Educators, 28(2), 44-48. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2014). Editorial: Back to the basics in sport and physical activity. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 85(2), 3-5. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2014). Viewpoint: Preparing the next generation of physical education teachers. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 85(9), 6-9. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. (2013). Editorial: Exploring role modeling in sport and physical education. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 84(7), 5-7. [View Publication (PDF)]

Butts, F., Heidorn, B., & Mosier, B. (2013). Comparing student engagement in online and face-to-face instruction in health and physical education teacher preparation. Journal of Education and Learning, 2(2), pp. 8-13. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Mosier, B. (2013). Standards-based instruction in physical education. NCAAHPERD Journal, 48(1), 44-52. [View Publication (PDF)]

Mowling, C. & Heidorn, B. (2013). Every shot counts: Rallying around traditional practice strategies. Strategies: A Journal for Sport and Physical Educators, 26(2), pp. 30-36. [View Publication (PDF)]

Elliot, E., Erwin, H., Hall, T., & Heidorn, B. (2013). Comprehensive school physical activity programs: Helping students achieve 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 84(9), 9-15.

Mosier, B. & Heidorn, B. (2013). Theory into practice: Training others to lead comprehensive school physical activity programs. Strategies: A Journal for Sport and Physical Educators, 26(5), 43-45. [View Publication (PDF)]

Hooper, M. & Heidorn, B. (2012). Comprehensive school physical activity programs: Preparing leaders to implement strategies that support conditions for change. The Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Research in Educational Leadership, 2 (1) (www.gelfajourn [View Publication (PDF)]

Blankenship, B. T. & Heidorn, B. (2012). From Zumba to yoga to reality tv: Using pop culture to teach the sciences: Introduction. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 83(8), pp. 13-14, Symposium Feature. Invited. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Centeio, E. (2012). Implementing comprehensive school physical activity programs: The role of directors of physical activity. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 83(7), pp. 13-19, 25, Special Feature. Invited. [View Publication (PDF)]

Hall, T., Heidorn, B., & Welch, M. (2011). A description of preservice teachers’ task presentation skills. The Physical Educator 68(4), pp. 188-198. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B. & Weaver, R. G. (2011). The Ultimate unit in physical education. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 25(1), pp. 16-22. [View Publication (PDF)]

Heidorn, B., Hall, T., & Carson, R. (2010). Theory into Practice: Comprehensive School-Based Physical Activity Program. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators. A Comprehensive School-based Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) represents a [View Publication (DOC)]

Heidorn, B. & Welch, M. (May/June, 2010). Teaching affective qualities in physical education. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators. [View Publication (DOC)]

Heidorn, B. & Hall, T. (Spring, 2010). A shared leadership approach to promoting school wellness policy and program change. The GAHPERD Journal, 43(1), pp. 15-17. [View Publication (DOC)]

Heidorn, B. (2007). Back to the basics in soccer: An emphasis on passing and trapping. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators. [View Publication (DOC)]