Kennesaw State experts examine Atlanta’s World Cup moment

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 15, 2026

Atlanta is an epicenter of the global sporting world as the city hosts matches in the FIFA Men’s World Cup soccer tournament.

Kennesaw State University experts can offer insight on a range of topics related to soccer and the World Cup, including sport technology, sport science, fan loyalty, economic impact, brand marketing, hydration and nutrition, and the physics of a soccer kick.

Sports Technology and Analytics – Chad Goebert, Assistant Professor of Sport Management

Chad Goebert teaches a class called Technology and Innovation in Sport, in which he challenges his students to create new statistics beyond the typical ones like goals, assists and saves. His research focuses on how teams and leagues use emerging technologies and data analytics to enhance performance and fan engagement. Goebert studies innovations such as the referee camera and video review systems that will be prominent during the World Cup.

Hydration and Nutrition – Mitchell Zaplatosch, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Mitchell Zaplatosch specializes in hydration science and athlete nutrition, with a focus on performance in hot environments. He studies fluid intake behaviors and can speak to how both players and spectators can safely manage heat during summer matches in Atlanta. A registered dietitian, Zaplatosch provides expertise on fueling strategies – particularly carbohydrate and hydration planning – that will be critical for athletes competing in World Cup conditions.

Strength and Conditioning, Modern Sport Science – Gerald Mangine, Professor of Exercise Science

Gerald Mangine can explain the physical, cognitive, and developmental traits that separate elite soccer players from the rest. Their path to the World Cup is usually built through years of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development. Mangine’s work focuses on strength and conditioning, sport science, athlete monitoring, and the use of performance data to improve training, in-game performance, and recovery.

Physics of a Soccer Kick – David Garofalo, Professor of Physics

Players might not think about physics during a match, but they apply principles of force, motion, energy and momentum in everything they do on the pitch. David Garofalo, who played soccer professionally in Italy, can explain the science that goes into a split-second kick of a soccer ball. He also can discuss and demonstrate how to “bend it like Beckham” by striking a soccer ball off-center to make it spin rapidly in the air, creating a curve.

Sports Fan Loyalty, Sporting Event Experiences – Kyu-soo Chung, Associate Professor of Sport Management

Kyu-soo Chung researches how live sporting environments – crowd energy, game sounds and other stimuli – shape fan loyalty and emotional connection to teams. Drawing from experience studying the 2002 World Cup in his native South Korea, Chung explores how mega-events influence national and local fan identity. His current work also examines student perceptions of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to the World Cup.

World Cup Branding Guidelines – Heather Morgan, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Professional Sales

Soccer’s governing body, FIFA, enforces firm guidelines to safeguard its trademarks and official sponsors, including requiring World Cup venues to remove references to brands not involved with the event. Heather Morgan can explain how brands and venues are navigating the World Cup restrictions. She has expertise in marketing, entrepreneurship and financial services, and teaches retail management, marketing foundations and omnichannel retailing.

Atlanta’s Economy and Tourism – Leonard Jackson, Professor of Hospitality Management

Atlanta was recently named the Best Sports City in America by Sports Business Journal, in part for attracting major events such as the World Cup. As visitors and locals spend money on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment, Leonard Jackson can discuss the World Cup’s impact on Atlanta’s economy and tourism. The founding director of KSU’s hospitality management program, Jackson has more than 30 years of experience in the field.

Sport Performance, Fitness for Soccer Officials – Kevin Huet, Senior Lecturer of Exercise Science

Kevin Huet’s expertise spans how soccer officiating has evolved through using technology such as video replay and ref cams, as well as the physical and performance demands placed on referees. He brings firsthand experience as a professional and collegiate soccer official, including work as a video assistant referee. Huet has conducted research into making sure soccer officials are up to the physical task of a 90-minute match.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.