Obituary-David Yukelson
21.01.1954 – 08.03.2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. David Yukelson, a pioneering figure in sport psychology, whose dedication to athlete mental performance transformed countless lives. Dr. Yukelson passed away peacefully, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of commitment, mentorship, and excellence in the field of applied sport psychology. Born in 1954, Dr. Yukelson dedicated his life to the study and advancement of mental performance in athletics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, followed by a Master’s degree in Movement Science from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a specialization in Sport Psychology from the University of North Texas. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Yukelson served as the Director of Sport Psychology Services at Pennsylvania State University’s Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. In this role, he worked closely with coaches and athletes across all 31 Penn State teams, helping them develop mental skills for peak performance. His expertise in motivation, goal setting, visualization, confidence building, and resilience under pressure left an enduring impact on the athletes he mentored. Beyond his work at Penn State, Dr. Yukelson was a Past President and Fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). He served on advisory boards for USA Football and was a member of both the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Track and Field Sport Psychology Registries. His contributions to research, education, and practice in such areas as group dynamics and intercultural understanding influenced sport psychologists worldwide. Even after retiring from Penn State, Dr. Yukelson continued his passion for sport psychology as a consultant, mentor, and leader in the field. His legacy will live on in the athletes he supported, the students he inspired, and the field of sport psychology he helped shape.
Dr. Yukelson is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Marla, and their three children, Adam, Joshua, and Drew. He was a devoted husband, father, and mentor to athletes, coaches, and sport psychology professionals, whose kindness, wisdom, and dedication will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A memorial service will be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers, the Yukelson family requests that donations be made to the Association for Applied Sport Psychology or a charity supporting student-athletes’ mental well-being.