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The Sport and Exercise Psychology program in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University was recognized with the Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training in Exercise and Sport Psychology award by Division 47 of the American Psychological Association.

Every three years, the APA awards a sport psychologist or training program that over time has consistently provided significant contributions to education and training in exercise and sport psychology. The award will be presented at the 2013 APA Convention, in Honolulu, HI from July 31 to August 4.

As cheerleading gains more national recognition and safety issues are at record high, Kelly Stewart offers West Virginia University students the chance to learn how to coach cheerleading in a safe, responsible and exciting way. 

In recent years, cheerleading has gained widespread acknowledgment for the increasing physical demands of the sport. Observations of accidents and serious injuries are prompting people like Stewart to take action. Her experience in both coaching and judging has given her insight into these issues, and she is using her talent to help students gain hands-on experience in coaching cheerleading.

Dr. Christiaan Abildso, program coordinator, PEIA Weight Management Program, and Dr. Kelly Gurka, WVU Injury Control Research Center, have researched the connection between accidents involving pedestrians and cost to the state.

While studying all accidents in West Virginia from 2000 to 2006, the costs of the accidents were severe: 206 people died and nearly 3,100 were inured. That amounted to “comprehensive costs” – including estimates for lost quality of life – at $1.19 billion dollars in 2005, Abildso said.