Former Utah Valley University men's basketball student-athlete, Kevin Woods II, has returned to Orem as the department's athletics mental health specialist where he'll work with current student-athletes.
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Woods spent 2007-13 playing for former UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker and received a bachelor's degree from the University in 2012 in behavioral science, with an emphasis in psychology. In 2015, he received a master's degree in counseling, sport & health psychology near his hometown at Adler University in Chicago. Woods is completing his Ph.D. from Adler University in counselor education & supervision.
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"I am very excited to be back at Utah Valley University and am ready to contribute to the future direction of the athletic program," Woods said. "I feel my background handling various adverse experience has provided me with a high level of mental toughness, which I look to also build with Utah Valley's new generation of student-athletes. I believe I provide a unique flair that is new and unusual to sports and the mental health profession."
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During his time as a student-athlete at UVU, Woods worked at Intermountain Healthcare as a Behavioral Health Specialist, helping patients who struggled with all aspects of mental health concerns. He also worked with sports medicine as an anesthesia technician assisting in sport-related surgeries.
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After the completion of his master's degree, Woods created a private practice specializing in counseling and cognitive performance working with all types of performers, ranging from young children to professional athletes.
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That same year, he and his wife Leinani had a son, Kevin "Kalama" Woods III, who passed away at four months old due to Kawasaki Disease, a rare disorder that was undetected.
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"Through the grief and loss, I channeled my energy towards pursuing my Ph.D. while also teaching master level courses and performing outpatient therapy for Riveredge Psychiatric Hospital," said Woods.
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Kevin and Leinani welcomed their second child, a daughter named Zion, in 2017.
