Distinguished Alumnus
Dr. Steve Estes is a professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Estes did his undergraduate and masters studies in kinesiology (both in sociocultural sport) at San Diego State University, and received the doctorate from The Ohio State University with an emphasis sports culture. After completing the doctorate, Dr. Estes taught at California State University – Fullerton, State University of New York – Cortland, East Carolina University, and Missouri Western State University before coming to Middle Tennessee State University. His administrative appointments include Director of the Center for Technology in Education at Cortland, Department Chair at East Carolina University and Middle Tennessee State University, and Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Missouri Western State University. He has also served twice as President of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education, Faculty Senate Chair at SUNY Cortland, and as the keynote speaker at academic and professional conferences in his specialty areas.
Dr. Estes’ studies in kinesiology began his career as an athlete. He was a rower in college at San Diego State University, and trained and competed for United States National Rowing Teams through 1987. Career highlights include two national championships in the elite eight-oared shell, and seventh place at the 1982 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Dr. Estes’ research interests include the relationship of mind and body in sport and physical activity, philosophy of science in physical activity studies, postmodern sport, and the processes of leader development. He is an author or co-author of four textbooks in kinesiology and numerous articles on leadership in kinesiology and the military. Dr. Estes coordinated the Leadership Symposium at the Educator Visit for the ROTC Leader Training Course at Ft. Knox, Kentucky from 2009 through 2012, and he continues to study leader development processes in ROTC. His studies in military leadership led to a commission in the Tennessee State Guard, where he currently serves as the Public Affairs Officer, Headquarters, Headquarters Company in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Estes is married to Dr. Betty Block, also a professor of kinesiology at Texas A&M – Commerce. They have three daughters, Nan, Katherine, and Erin.
