THE WORLD'S EXPERTS IN SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION
Mentoring the next generation of sports physical therapy clinicians and elevating the standard of sports physical therapy.
ABOUT US
The Sports PT Playbook was created to empower and accelerate careers in sports physical therapy. Our vision is to become a leading authority in sports physical therapy education—providing high-impact mentorship, resources, and guidance for physical therapy students and early career professionals.
We are committed to helping you elevate your clinical knowledge and confidence, bridging the gap between entry-level practice and expert-level care. We understand that your time is valuable, and our goal is to make your path to becoming an expert-level clinician as efficient, practical, and rewarding as possible.
Every clinician’s journey is unique. Whether you're just starting out or exploring your next professional step, we aim to meet you where you are and support your growth.
For those interested in pursuing a sports residency, our team—comprised entirely of residency-trained sports physical therapists—offers expert mentorship to help you prepare, apply, and succeed in securing a residency position. At the same time, we recognize that residency isn't the right fit for everyone due to factors like family, finances, or time constraints.
That’s why we’ve designed our educational content to deliver the knowledge, mentorship, and professional value you would expect from a residency experience—without the barriers.
We’re excited to be part of your journey and are here to help you elevate your career while advancing the field of sports physical therapy.
Dr. Jacob Kissman, PT, DPT, CSCS
My name is Dr. Jacob Kissman, PT, DPT, CSCS, and I am currently completing a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at the University of Florida (’25–’26).
I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in May 2025 and hold certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). As a lifelong athlete, I’ve always found joy in competition—and even greater fulfillment in helping others return to their athletic journey after injury.
Early in my physical therapy education, I recognized a significant gap: traditional PT programs don’t fully equip students with the tools to return athletes to peak performance or reduce their risk of reinjury. To address this, I proactively pursued additional education in strength and conditioning. I earned my CSCS and completed a strength and conditioning internship with the UNLV Football Team during my final undergraduate semester. I then spent a gap year working as a strength and conditioning coach in the private sector, further solidifying my foundation before entering PT school.
Once in school, I immersed myself in sports rehab and performance. I dedicated time to continuing education from industry leaders such as Mike Reinold, Dan Pope, Dr. Jacob Goodin, The Movement System, Barbell Rehab Method, and Renaissance Periodization, among others. This journey culminated in a clinical rotation at Champion PT and Performance, where I learned how to integrate strength and conditioning principles into rehabilitation to bridge the gap between rehab and performance.
Motivated to grow even further, I applied for and matched with the University of Florida’s sports residency program—seeking deeper mentorship and advanced clinical education to elevate my ability to deliver expert-level care to athletes at all stages of recovery and performance.
Dr. Harrison Hess, PT, DPT
My name is Dr. Harrison Hess, PT, DPT, and I’m currently completing my Sports Residency at Vail Health Howard Head Sports Medicine (2025–2026). I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in May 2025. Originally from Reno, Nevada, I’ve been passionate about athletics my entire life—especially skiing and golf.
I’m currently working toward becoming a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, with the goal of delivering exceptional care to athletes and individuals with orthopedic conditions. As a recent graduate, I recognize the limitations of traditional PT education—particularly its lack of preparation for working in athletic environments. My mission is to help bridge that gap by contributing to the future of the profession through specialized insight and mentorship.
As the co-founder of The Sports PT Playbook, I’m dedicated to sharing clinical knowledge and advancing the understanding of sports rehabilitation. My focus includes topics such as strength and conditioning, plyometrics, return-to-sport protocols, surgical considerations, and performance-based physical therapy.
Sports have shaped who I am. I’m a lifelong skier and golfer, and I bring a unique perspective to treating athletes in these and other disciplines. I’ve played and followed baseball, football (go Seahawks!), and soccer, and I enjoy working with athletes across all levels and sports. I’m a lifelong learner—and becoming a lifelong teacher. Join me on The Sports PT Playbook as we grow, learn, and elevate sports physical therapy together.
Our mission: Mentoring the next generation of sports physical therapy clinicians and elevating the standard of sports physical therapy.
CONTACT US
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question about our products, services or just want to say hello, we’re here for you. Feel free to reach out by email or through our website contact form. At The Sports PT Playbook, your satisfaction is our priority, and we’ll do our best to respond as quickly as possible. Let’s connect!
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