Ashland University Professor Emeritus Dr. Curt Ickes is a licensed psychologist who taught in the Psychology Department for more than 30 years. Trained in cognitive-behavioral techniques, he is particularly interested in the study and application of psychological factors which lead to optimal athletic performance.

He earned his undergraduate degree at Ashland College and has graduate degrees from the University of Akron and Kent State University. Dr. Ickes is the author of Mental Toughness: Getting the Edge and Win the Next Pitch: Essential Mental Game Skills for Young Players.

In addition to working with the Ashland University baseball and softball teams, Dr. Ickes has worked as a consultant with the local high school baseball and softball teams, the College of Wooster baseball team, and the Lake Erie Crushers of the independent Frontier League.