Biography
Suzanne M. Konz, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, served on the faculty of Marshall University from 2010 to 2026, advancing to the rank of Professor in 2021. A biomechanist, certified athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning specialist, her academic and professional work has focused on applied biomechanics, sports science, athletic performance, injury prevention, and professional issues in athletic training.
During her 16 years at Marshall, Dr. Konz played a central role in developing and expanding the University’s biomechanics and strength and conditioning programs. She developed the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science programs in Biomechanics and helped establish the Sports Science graduate curriculum. She later assisted in the development of the undergraduate and graduate Strength and Conditioning programs and served as program director for Biomechanics, Sports Science, and the M.S. Strength and Conditioning program. She was also the lead author of Marshall’s accreditation self-study for the undergraduate and graduate Strength and Conditioning programs, which received five-year accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education in 2025.
Dr. Konz actively contributed to university governance through service on the Marshall University Faculty Senate, the Shared Governance Ad Hoc Group, the Title IX Committee, the College of Health Professions Promotion and Tenure Committee, and the Athletic Committee, which she chaired from 2020 to 2024. She also supported statewide educational outreach through West Virginia GEAR UP, reflecting her commitment to expanding educational opportunities for future college students. To further expand her university leadership, Dr. Konz was selected for Marshall University’s John Marshall Leadership Fellows Program, where she developed the Marshall Matters community engagement initiative and completed the Department Chair Leadership Academy.
A significant part of Dr. Konz’s career has centered on mentoring students through applied research. She has directed and collaborated on numerous undergraduate and graduate research projects involving biomechanics, athletic performance, injury prevention, concussion and head impacts, movement variability, fatigue, sports technology, and athlete health. Student-mentored work from Marshall has been presented at national and international conferences and developed into peer-reviewed publications and graduate theses.
Her own research spans sports biomechanics and athletic health, with particular interests in human movement analysis, injury risk, neuromuscular performance, head acceleration and concussion, and the biomechanics of throwing and jumping. Her work has been presented internationally through organizations including the International Society of Biomechanics, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, American Society of Biomechanics, and World Congress of Biomechanics. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings and authored the textbook Lifetime Wellness: Physical, Mental & Financial.
Dr. Konz has extensive experience translating laboratory science into athletic performance settings. She provided sports science testing and biomechanical consulting to Marshall University athletic teams and spent nearly two decades working with USA Track & Field, including biomechanical analysis of elite hammer throwers at national championships, Olympic Trials, and international training camps. She also conducted isokinetic testing of professional football prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine for more than a decade.
Her professional contributions extend beyond biomechanics. Dr. Konz has held significant leadership roles within the athletic training profession, including Chair of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Committee on Professional Ethics and Chair of the Committee on Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training. She has also served in leadership and governmental affairs roles with the West Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association, including President, President-elect, Secretary, and Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Her work in professional ethics has included national and regional presentations addressing ethical decision-making, sports betting, professional responsibility, and patient care.
Dr. Konz received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association District 3 Service Award in 2026. Her previous honors include the USA Track & Field C. Harmon Brown Award, recognizing significant contributions to the sport of track and field.
Throughout her career at Marshall, Dr. Konz combined teaching, research, clinical expertise, professional service, and program leadership with a strong commitment to student development. Her contributions helped establish biomechanics and strength and conditioning as distinct areas of study at Marshall while creating opportunities for students to participate in meaningful research and present their work within the broader scientific and professional community.