This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
To explore his interest in sports psychology and gain an inside look at what it might be like to have his own practice, Paul Cummins ’08 (Kildare, Ireland) served a summer internship at a private practice in Easton.
He approached psychologist Jarrod Spencer ’96 about internship opportunities at his practice while he was delivering a rape prevention presentation to Lafayette athletic teams. A shooting guard for the varsity basketball team, Cummins wanted to test the field to see if sports psychology is an area he would like to pursue after graduation.
“I love psychology simply because I love to watch and learn from human behavior,” says the double major in psychology and music. “Psychology is around us in everything we do, and I believe that having a complete understanding of our behavior will allow us to be more true to who we really are, to let our essence show. On another level, I find sports psychology interesting because I am an athlete and know that 50 percent of any competitive sport is mental, and that every athlete will overachieve if he or she has the mental edge.”
Working closely with three psychologists gave Cummins insight into different areas of psychology. With Spencer, he designed a PowerPoint presentation on rape and how it has affected Lafayette in recent years. Spencer assigned him daily readings, such as Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, and secured permission for him to observe a sports psychology individual therapy session. Cummins also accompanied Spencer to a negotiation meeting with Service Electric TV and Larry Holmes Enterprise for a weekly sports psychology talk show called “Larry Holmes PresentsWhat the Heck Were They Thinking?!” Cummins helped design the show’s infrastructure, which consists of five panelists including Larry Holmes.
He assisted Spencer and his colleague James Brennan with a sports psychology presentation to health care professionals at Muhlenberg College in Allentown. For his work with Brennan, Cummins researched the psychology and methods useful for expanding small businesses. He also worked with psychologist Darren Abayoun, focusing on approaches to relationship and corporate psychology.
“Paul always conducted himself in a professional, yet personal manner,” says Spencer. “He was both witty and wise. We would often go out for lunch and discuss world politics, U2 music, and Paul’s homeland of Ireland, all of which demonstrated his depth and breadth of character. In essence, my colleagues and I learned so much from Paul as well. There is no doubt that this young man will be a success as a businessman, humanitarian, and family man.”
Cummins believes the internship experience will benefit him as he continues his studies at Lafayette and his education in sports and corporate psychology. After graduation, he hopes to play professional basketball in Europe and then pursue a graduate degree.
“The many aspects of psychology combined with the practical use of them throughout my internship will always stand with me,” says Cummins. “The most valuable time of my internship was Wednesday lunches, when we discussed current topics in the field. I was fascinated to hear the different opinions and stories, and I will continue to go down to the offices throughout the school year.”
Spencer looks forward to visiting with Cummins this coming year and believes he made valuable contributions to his office during the summer.
“[Paul] embodies, what I believe, to be the epitome of today’s Lafayette student,” he says. “While I consistently have many great Lafayette students as interns, Paul definitely stands out. I think that his time with us has solidified his academic interests and fortified his drive to bring psychological principles to businesses, sports, and families.”
“Jarrod Spencer is a gifted psychologist with a lot to offer in more than the sports niche,” adds Cummins. “As a mentor, he was excellent because he always included me in whatever he was doing, and he allowed me the freedom to explore the areas I found to be most interesting. In addition, he is a down-to-earth guy who is a lot of fun to hang out with and talk to.”
Spencer is a member of Lafayette’s sexual assault oversight committee, which meets monthly to discuss the College’s response to sexual assault. He will present “From the Bedroom and Beyond: Sexual Assault or Consensual Sex?” at the Class of 2010 orientation and “Power Over Ignorance: What Every College Student Needs to Know About Sexual Assault” in a casual, small group setting during the first two weeks of classes.