Dr Leo E. Lewis III

Biography

Leo E. Lewis III is currently Principal of Lewis Performance Partners, a human performance company focused on consulting and training for business and physically active individuals. Prior to his private business pursuits, he was a high school athletic administrator and Associate Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Prior to his hiring in Gopher Athletics, he spent 24 years with the Minnesota Vikings Football Club as a player, pro scout, and Director of Player Development.

Lewis’ sports career includes a student athlete at the University of Missouri where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and All-Century Football team. In 2019 he was inducted along with his father, Leo, Jr into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. After completing 13 years of professional football – 11 with the Minnesota Vikings – Leo retired in 1991.

Lewis received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri and his Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. To complement his career goals, Leo completed a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Argosy University. Leo’s primary research and applied interests focus on the social and psychological dimensions of sport and human performance. He has presented several scholarly papers and appeared in various domains advocating for the lifestyles of physically active people. He currently serves as a college instructor and mental health practitioner.

As an extension of his professional work, Leo established the Lewis Sports Foundation (LSF) in 1999. The Foundation is dedicated to providing resources to America’s youth in various communities for the development of the life skills through education and physical activity. LSF is a funding and educational resource for individuals, programs, organizations, or services. Within its LifeSkills Through Sport program, LSF provides academic, life skills, and sports skills instruction focused on improved life management, health, and wellness.