David
Loy
FDRT, CTRS,
LRT (Licensed Recreational Therapist-North Carolina), CARSS-II (Certified Adaptive Recreation & Sport Specialist-Level 2), CASC (Certified Adaptive Sports Coach)
Professor- Recreational Therapy, Director-Sensory & Observation Lab; Director-ECU Design4Disability;
East Carolina University-Department of Recreation Sciences & Sport Management
Education
B.S. in Recreation & Park Adm. (conc: Therapeutic Recreation), Georgia Southern University
M.A. in Education (conc: Therapeutic Recreation), University of Georgia
Ph.D. in Recreation & Leisure Studies (conc: Therapeutic Recreation), University of Georgia
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Loy has spent most of his career helping individuals with disabilities participate and perform in adaptive sports and recreation including adaptive waterski, kayaking, quad rugby, wheelchair basketball, and adaptive SCUBA. Dr. Loy has over 150 publications and presentations on topics including the therapeutic effects of adapted sports and recreation; wheelchair propulsion biomechanics; assessment, measurement, and psychometrics; sensory integration in neurodivergent populations; issues related to recreational therapy education, promotion of inclusion, health, and quality of life issues for individuals with disabilities.
Featured Publications
Loy, D. P., Autry, C., & Warner, E.* (2025). Measuring flow in adaptive sport: Validating the Flow State Scale-2, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 59(3), 307-323. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I3-12599.
Hutchinson, S. L., Loy, D. P., Kleiber, D., & Dattilo, J. (2003). Leisure as a coping resource: Variations in coping with traumatic injury or illness. Leisure Sciences, 25, 143–162.
Loy, D. P., Dattilo, J., & Kleiber, D. A. (2003). Exploring the influence of leisure in adjustment:
Development of the leisure and spinal cord injury adjustment model. Leisure Sciences,
25, 231–255.
Leadership & Professional Service
American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Research Committee (2008-09 Co-Chair); ATRA Internship Best Practices Committee; ATRA Adhoc International Education Committee; Committee for Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE) Board of Directors, Executive Board (Member-at-Large, 2022-23, 2023-24; Vice-Chair 2024-25, 2025-2026); National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART), President-elect (2023-2024), President (2024-2025), Past-President (2025-26); National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC) Item Writing Committee; NCRTC Passing Score Committee; NCRTC Test Specifications Committee; Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium (SRTS)-Research Track (Chair); North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association (NCRTA) Research Grant Review Committee (Chair); Therapeutic Recreation Journal (TRJ) Associate Editor (2024-2027).
Professional Awards & Recognition
East Carolina University (ECU) Board of Governors Teaching Award; ECU College of Health & Human Performance Dr. Jerry E. McGee Distinguished Professorship (2025-2028); ECU Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award and Robert L. Jones Teaching Award; ECU Chancellor's Leadership Academy Fellow; ECU College of Health & Human Performance Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award; North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association (NCRTA) Presidential Award; ECU Office of Innovation & Commercialization Innovator of the Month (Nov., 2024); Distinguished Fellow-National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART); ECU Outstanding Faculty Contributions to Community Engaged Learning Award; Ann James Award for Best Presentation at Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium