This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Don Kalkstein as the Red Sox director of performance enhancement during the 2006 season ultimately, Kalkstein agreed to


increase that number to one—for two reasons. one was because of the lobbying of Bradford, a journalist he has frequently encountered with the Red Sox. Bradford, who covers the team for WEEI.com, has won Kalkstein over by respecting the privacy his job demands. The other thing that tilted the scale


was Kalkstein’s history with Springfield College. In 1988, Kalkstein received a certificate of advanced studies from the school. He counts the experience as one of the shaping influences in his life. “Springfield College,” he says, “is near


and dear to my heart.” **


onE of ThE tricky things in discussing Kalkstein’s job is defining it. He is a man for whom titles have proven elusive. When the Red Sox hired him full time


consultant,” though it seems to diminish his role. perhaps the best title was offered by


former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, who told the Boston Herald in 2006 that he always met with Kalkstein before he was slated to pitch. Said Schilling, “He’s like a strength coach for the brain.” **


And there is David Ortiz, sequestered with Kalkstein outside the clubhouse after an angry outburst with the media.


Boston Globe, August 15, 2009


in December 2005, they gave him the title “director of performance enhancement.” In the modern sports climate, that’s a loaded title, given its association with performance- enhancing drugs. In a sense, though, the title fits the bill. Athletes enhance


their performance in a variety of ways, some which society salutes (practice, exercise, proper nutrition), and some which are controversial and/or illegal (steroids, HGH, etc.). Training the mind to improve focus and minimize distraction is a competitive edge widely regarded as commendable. That work is especially well suited to athletes because of the unique conditions in which they operate. not only do athletes perform in public, but unlike actors and singers, they do so in an environment where other highly skilled individuals are trying to prevent them from doing their job. Still, Kalkstein chafes at “director of


performance enhancement” because of what he calls the “negative connotation.” With the Mavericks, for whom he has


worked full time since 2008-09 (he now consults part time with the Red Sox), he is listed as the “director of sports psychology.” The title is technically accurate, but even Kalkstein admits it is a little misleading. “I do not call myself a psychologist because I do not have a ph.D. in psychology,” he asserts. He prefers the title “sports psychology


TRIANGLE 3 Vol .Vol. 83


[Pedroia] comes closer than most to realizing his full potential, through “self-talk that is just ridiculously posi- tive,” and an “inner voice that doesn’t stumble with ‘can’ts,’ and wishes.’”


Don Kalkstein


GrowinG uP ouTSidE of Chicago as a three-sport athlete with considerable curiosity, Kalkstein often found himself wondering what made athletes tick. The idea crystallized for him one day while watching ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.” The focus of the show that day was an international power-lifting competition. Kalkstein watched with fascination as


an immense competitor from the former Soviet union got ready to hoist some colossal amount of weight. He studied


the bar, sprinkled talcum on his hands, then sat on a bench in a meditative trance. The announcers talked about how Soviet athletes frequently worked with sports psychologists to gain a competitive edge. Then the lifter approached the bar and powered it over his head. A young Don Kalkstein took note. He went on to Southern Illinois university, earning a


bachelor’s degree and a master’s. He was on track to pursue a ph.D., but found something gnawing at him. Sitting down with an advisor, he talked about wanting “to combine my love of psychology and my love of sports.” The advisor alerted him to Springfield


College’s graduate program in athletic counseling. Kalkstein looked into it and found himself drawn to the work of faculty members Mimi Murray ’61, G’67, and Al petipas. He arrived in the fall of 1986 and


began digging into questions about what fuels champion athletes and what obstacles get in their way. The Humanics philosophy of integrating body, mind, and spirit proved fertile soil for his work. “I continue to use those three pillars of development with athletes,” he says. **


STiLL, iT wAS hard to plunge into the job market when he finished in 1988, because, frankly, there wasn’t much of a job market. Much of the athletic culture


Continued on next page 83, No.No. 1 13


PHOTO BY: MIKE IVINS/RED SOX


PHOTO BY: MIKE IVINS/RED SOX


PHOTO BY: MIKE IVINS/RED SOX


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35