Dr. Andy Walsh joined the Purdue University Athletics staff as Director of Sport Psychology & Athlete Mental Health in July of 2024. Dr. Walsh oversees the provision of mental health and sport psychology services to Purdue student-athletes. He provides individual mental health and sport psychology services, team-based sessions and workshops, psychological assessment services, supervision, consultation and other services as needed to Purdue student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Dr. Walsh also helps lead initiatives to enhance the accessibility and visibility of the sport psychology staff around the department, working to educate and train athletes and staff on mental health topics in order to promote overall mental health and well-being and decrease stigma related to seeking help. Dr. Walsh has a passion for building authentic and meaningful relationships with others and helping others find joy and fulfillment in life, which informs his work not only as a sport psychologist but also as a supervisor, colleague and friend.
Prior to his tenure at Purdue, Dr. Walsh completed his undergraduate studies at Wabash College where he played football and basketball while majoring in psychology. He earned a Master’s in clinical mental health counseling and Master’s in sport psychology from Ball State University before earning his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a focus in sport psychology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Walsh completed his pre-doctoral internship at Northwestern University Counseling and Psychological Services, and subsequently completed the inaugural postdoctoral fellowship with Northwestern University Sport Psychology Services. He then worked as a sport psychologist within the University of Michigan Athletic Department before making the move to West Lafayette. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Indiana, is PSYPACT certified, and is a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Dr. Walsh enjoys spending time with his wife Ali, daughter Addy, and dog Muggsy. He enjoys attending Purdue sporting events with his family, exploring the restaurants and adventures of the greater West Lafayette/Lafayette area, traveling (domestically and internationally), golfing, working out, and spending time with friends and family.