Kinesiology Department Faculty
Dr. Robert A. Mechikoff
Professor and Chair
Department of Kinesiology
Robert Mechikoff arrived at SDCC from San Diego State University where he had taught history of sport and philosophy courses since 1981. He received his BA in Political Science from Long Beach State University as well as hi MA in Physical Education. Professor Mechikoff earned his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University where he studied history and philosophy. He coached football and swimming at both the high school and college level. Professor Mechikoff is an internationally recognized scholar, conducting extensive research and lecturing in the history and philosophy of the ancient and modern Olympic Games all over the world. He is a member of the Olympic Family, the International Society of Olympic Historians, and has served as Supervising Professor at the International Academy of Olympia, Greece on more than one occasion where he taught philosophy to graduate students from 25 different countries. In 1982, Professor Mechikoff served as Founding President and CEO of USA Volleyball (Men’s Team). The U.S. Olympic Men’s Team won the Gold Medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympiad. He is a frequent lecturer at the British Olympic Academy and numerous Olympic Academies and Universities around the world. His interest in sport in antiquity, especially Greek and Roman athletics, is evident in his latest research. Since 2002, Professor Mechikoff has assisted in the work being conducted at the archeological site in Ancient Nemea, one of the four great athletic festivals of ancient Greece. He is a frequent visitor to the Olympic Museum and Studies Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and knows many members of the International Olympic Committee on a personal basis. Because of his international reputation as an Olympic scholar, the International Olympic Committee awarded him the title of “Distinguished Guest of the IOC” during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics. He is one of the few Kinesiology/Physical Education Professors who can (albeit with difficulty), translate ancient Greek from their original sources. He speaks and reads French, Modern Greek, Spanish, and Russian and one day he hopes to actually be able to understand what the French, Greek, Spanish, and Russians are saying to him. In addition to his scholarly contributions in history and philosophy, Professor Mechikoff has published several texts in the sport psychology as well as an introduction to kinesiology text. He is frequently sought out by the media to share his expertise on issues pertaining to ethics in sport, fan behavior, coaching behavior, sport history, and the Olympics. He enjoys lecturing in North America as well as abroad. The sixth edition of his textbook, “A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education: From Ancient Civilization to the Modern World” was published by McGraw-Hill Publishers in 2013. When not in San Diego, he can usually be found in Greece or Turkey where he excavates ancient Greco-Roman athletic venues.
Shawna Baker
B.A., M.S.
Assistant Professor
Kinesiology
Shawna joined the San Diego Christian College team in the Fall of 2003 as Assistant Professor in the Kinesiology Department and Head Athletic Trainer. She is the core instructor for the classes offered in the Sports Medicine emphasis. She oversees several student athletic trainers as they work to prevent, care for, and rehabilitate injured athletes for SDCC’s 9 intercollegiate sports teams. Shawna states, “the best part of my job is that I get to practice what I teach”.
In addition to her duties at SDCC, she has served as the medical coordinator for NYSP, volunteered for events such as the California State Games and the Rock and Roll Marathon, and currently volunteers and instructs first aid/CPR classes for the American Red Cross.
Shawna graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a B.A. in PE/Athletic Training. From there she went on to receive her M.S. in Kinesiology/Sports Medicine from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2000. Later she returned to her alma mater and worked as Assistant Athletic Trainer and Assistant Professor until 2002. Over the years she has worked in a variety of settings including high schools, college, club sports, and clinics.
John Ledford
M.A., A.T.C., C.S.C.S.
Adjunct Instructor
Kinesiology
John joined San Diego Christian College in the Fall of 2006 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer as well as an adjunct instructor in the Kinesiology Department. John instructs the Weight Training course and has developed the Strength and Conditioning course for SDCC’s intercollegiate athletic teams. John is also the instructor for the Biomechanics course.
Prior to the Lord guiding John to San Diego Christian College, he worked for 6 years as an instructor at Grossmont Community College where he instructed weight training as well as strength and conditioning courses in the Exercise Science department. John was also on the Advisory Board for the ROP Personal Trainer program and instructed Exercise Physiology and Strength Training/Fitness Assessment courses within that program.
John graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1998. He went on to earn his M.A. in Biomechanics/Athletic Training from San Diego State University. John has also been certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 1998.
John is delighted to be able to work with San Diego Christian College students in the classroom as well as with athletes and is thankful for the many blessings the Lord has given him with these opportunities to serve.