The Laboratory for Diversity in Sport (LDS) is directed by Dr. George Cunningham. The LDS, as part of the Center for Sport Management Research and Education, is dedicated to producing and disseminating research related to all forms of diversity within the sport and leisure context. Founded in 2003, the purpose of the Laboratory is to examine and seek to understand how such diversity impacts team and organization performance, as well as people's affect and behaviors.

As the world continues to change and diversify, so to do the persons with whom people associate. People are different with respect to demographics, values and attitudes, educational and professional backgrounds, and various other group memberships. Thus, within sport organizations and athletic teams, people are now working alongside dissimilar others, more so than ever before.

The purpose of the Laboratory is to examine and seek to understand how such heterogeneity impacts team and organization performance, member affect, and member behaviors. Therefore, research from the Laboratory is aimed at investigating under-represented persons and groups, diverse dyads, heterogeneous teams, and individuals' outcomes when surrounded by dissimilar others. Such research allows for a greater understanding of how diversity impacts individuals and teams, as well as the benefits of diversity.

Dr. George Cunningham, Lab Director and Division Chair