Clemson University’s Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute will host its second annual Research and Creative Endeavors in the Sports Sciences (RECESS) Symposium from November 10 to 14, 2025. The event invites faculty, students, staff, alumni, and members of the wider Clemson community to explore the latest advancements in sports science.

RECESS offers a combination of educational sessions, hands-on experiences, and opportunities for professional networking. Attendees can explore virtual reality labs, examine social media analytics, and engage with a broad spectrum of research and innovation in sports science.

John DesJardins, Ph.D., interim director of the Institute and professor in the Department of Bioengineering, stated that the symposium will highlight the work of Brooks Sports Science Faculty Fellows and students. Participation can range from attending a single event to joining the full week of activities. Each option offers attendees the chance to learn, connect, and experience the scope of sports sciences at Clemson.

Daily Highlights: Learning and Networking

Each morning, RECESS will begin with coffee sessions in Sirrine Hall, accompanied by poster presentations from Brooks Faculty Fellows and students. Light refreshments will be available, creating an inviting space to engage with researchers and peers across the University.

Morning sessions will cover diverse topics including the physics of sport, sports marketing, athlete psychology, and sports engineering research. These sessions are designed for newcomers and seasoned researchers alike, providing insight into the latest developments in sports science.

Hands-On Lab Tours Across Campus

Following morning sessions, RECESS will offer two daily lab and facility tours. Most tours will occur on the main Clemson campus, with shuttle services for offsite locations. On Tuesday, November 11, a tour will include the CU-ICAR automotive engineering facility in Greenville, SC.

Faculty-led tours provide access to a variety of specialized labs, including:

• Watt Family Athletic Performance and Wellness Center, Clemson Athletics
  
  
• Human Mobility Lab (HuMbL), Department of Bioengineering
  
  
• Design and Research of In-Vehicle Experiences (DRIVE) Lab, School of Computing
  
  
• Clemson University Equine Center, South Carolina 4-H
  
  
• Advanced Print Lab, Department of Graphic Communications
  
  
• Clemson Headgear Impact Performance (CHIP) Lab, Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
  
  
• Pursuing Health Through Adaptation, Sports and Ergonomics (PHASE) Lab, Department of Industrial Engineering
  
  
• Social Media Listening Center, Department of Communication

These tours allow attendees to observe how research is applied to real-world challenges in sports science and technology.

GRIT Awards: Honoring Excellence

The week concludes on Friday, November 14, with the announcement of the 2025 GRIT Awards, recognizing individuals or groups who demonstrate outstanding achievement in research, community outreach, student engagement, and advancing the mission of the Institute. Winners in each category will receive a trophy to commemorate their contributions.

Faculty, staff, and students can submit nominations by midnight on Friday, October 24.

RECESS 2025 promises an enriching week of learning, collaboration, and celebration, uniting the Clemson community to explore the evolving world of sports science. The event highlights the Institute’s commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary research, and fostering connections that advance the field.