Newtown Psychologist Gives Athletes A Mental Edge

By Steve Bigham

In professional sports, the thing that separates the best athletes from the rest of the pack is often the mental edge that they possess, especially during the crucial stages of a game or match. It’s the man or woman who can reach down a little deeper and pull out that little something extra that makes the difference between winning and losing.

Some athletes are born to be cool under pressure, while others need to be tutored in the art. Many of the world’s top athletes have turned to Newtown resident Francis J. Lodato for help. A student of the human mind for more than 40 years, he has become something of a guru in the sports world. As a sports psychologist, Dr Lodato, 74, specializes in helping these athletes improve the psychological aspects of their games. Whether it is hitting a baseball, shooting a foul shot, or catching a football, Dr Lodato says the key to success is learning how to perform in the unconscious.

“One of the things that happens to athletes is they lose their confidence, even though they deny it. The whole purpose is to keep people focused,” explained the sports psychologist, whose clients include or have included the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and the highly successful Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

These days, Dr Lodato travels all across the country and Canada coming to the rescue of teams, players, and coaches in need of a mental boost. Dr Lodato specializes in teaching players how to bring out the best in themselves as athletes.

But Dr Lodato certainly does not think of himself as a “shrink.” Instead, he calls himself a “performance enhancement” consultant, specializing in the art of getting athletes to reach their full potential.

“I consider myself a psychologist who works in sports because my training is not in sports,” he explained.

Dr Lodato received his doctorate in professional psychology from St Johns University and specialized in marriage/family counseling, even writing a handful of books on the subject. Over the years, however, his connections in the sports world led him to become involved in the sports psychology field, and he owns six championship rings to attest to his success.

Dr Lodato’s program assists players in enhancing their individual and team performances through the use of concentration and relaxation techniques. His clients say there is no one better in the business.

“I’ve had a long standing relationship with him through the years. He is tremendously respected in the industry. His resume speaks for itself. He has had tremendous accomplishments,” noted Nick Beverley, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dr Lodato is credited with playing a role in the Miami Dolphins’ undefeated season in the early 1970s. He has worked with athletes like Doug Flutie during his days in the CFL, skater Oksana Bayaul, and many others.

Today, he remains a member of the teaching staff at Manhattan College where he is a Professor Emeritus. Dr Lodato was a college professor for 44 years before retiring 10 years ago.

Born in Brooklyn, Dr Lodato was the youngest of 10 children and the only one born in the United States. The rest of his large family immigrated to America from Italy. Dr Lodato would go on to become the first member of his family to graduate from high school and, at age 19, graduated from St Johns University. He then spent a few years teaching at the school where, among others, he taught Lou Carneseca, the legendary St Johns basketball coach.

After many years of providing informal sports psychology, Dr Lodato incorporated Francis J. Lodato & Associates, Inc., in 1972.

Greg Miller, the golf pro at Pomperaug Golf Club in Southbury, says Dr Lodato’s techniques have helped make him a better golfer.

“Basically, he’s been able to allow me to keep my positive attitude throughout adversity. He helps me keep everything on an even keel,” he said. “I think he relates to people well. He understands people and he puts together a plan that will work for each particular person.”

Mr Miller missed qualifying for this year’s Greater Hartford Open by just two shots.

According to Dr Lodato, sports psychology began in the 1920s with Coleman Griffiths, a professor at the University of Illinois, who had among his clients legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Today, more than 50 colleges and universities offer degrees in the field.

Dr Lodato lives on Lake Road with his wife of 43 years, Patricia. They have three children, all in their 30s, Denise, Raymond, and Janice.