Dr. Watkins is an Assistant Professor in the sport studies program. 

Research/Teaching Expertise: Sport Studies. Sport History. Intercollegiate Athletics. 

Education: Mississippi State University, Ph.D. 2019; Kinesiology. Auburn University, M.Ed. 2013; Higher Education Administration. Mississippi State University, History; B.A. 2011.

Areas of Research: History of College Sport in the American South. Academic Experiences of College Athletes. Athletic Academic Support Services. NCAA Reclassification. 

Areas of Teaching: Sport History, Sport Law, Research in Kinesiology, Current Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, Sport Communication

Recent Publications: 

        Watkins, J., & Ratzloff, I. (2025). University stakeholder perceptions of NCAA reclassification during the transition period: A case study of the University of North Alabama. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 18(2), 1-22.

        Kang, C., Allen, J., & Watkins, J. (2025). A hierarchical analysis of brand personality traits in sport. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7(1), 1-18.

        Slater, K., Watkins, J., & Chang, L. (2025). Diversity in leadership within athletic academic departments at NCAA Division I institutions. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 19(1), 1-20. 

        Watkins, J., Slater, K., & Chang, L. (2022). NCAA Division I subdivisions and the background of athletic academic advisors. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 15(1), 219-237.

        Watkins, J., Slater, K., & Chang, L. (2022). The relationship between academic clustering and athletic academic support department reporting lines in NCAA FBS programs. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 15(1), 125-142.

        Watkins, J. (2021). “Dead but Standing Erect”: Why Southern Conference members left to form the Southeastern Conference. Sport History Review, 53(1), 128-146.

Professional Memberships/Affiliations: British Society for Sport History, North American Society for Sport History, College Sport Research Institute, Applied Sport Management Association