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Faculty members in the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences were recently recognized for outstanding teaching, research and service for the 2014-15 academic year.

Samuel Zizzi, professor, sport exercise psychology, was recognized as teacher of the year. Zizzi was recognized as a research Fellow by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology in 2012. In addition, he is a manuscript reviewer for a variety of journals in the fields of SEP and public health. His research pursuits span both sport and exercise psychology.

In recognition of their exceptional community service, the undergraduate Sport and Exercise Psychology Club has received the Student Organization of the Year award from the Center for Service and Learning. The group was honored at the Excellence in Civic Engagement Award ceremony held on April 15.

“Being involved in community service is one of the core missions of the SEP club. This award recognizes the club and its members for their efforts in giving back to West Virginia University and the Morgantown community,” said Dr. Damien Clement,CPASS associate professor.

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate students have been immersed in a unique sports marketing experience as interns for the West Virginia Black Bears, a minor league baseball team.

A collaboration between Rich Baseball Operations and the WVU graduate sports management students began in September 2014. Rich Baseball Operations approached CPASS professor Dr. Dallas Branch to partner with his sports marketing class to execute a “Name the Team” fan contest.

A partnership between the United States Tennis Association and West Virginia University will provide valuable training through a conference held on campus this summer. The training will offer lifetime leisure activities to the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences’ Physical Education Teacher Education Master’s degree program.

“This conference is a way of helping teachers add a lifetime activity component to physical education class,” said David Robertson, a CPASS coaching and teaching studies doctoral student. Robertson is coordinating the summer experience.

The Philadelphia Flyers are the recipients of this season’s Dick Dillman Award. The Flyers staff is led by College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences former student Zack Hill. The Dillman Award honors the team judged to have the top public relations department in the National Hockey League each season.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers as well as the national media,” Hill said.

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences student Ashley Morgan has been named a 2015 WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior in recognition of her hard work and exceptional achievements throughout her college career.

“I’m thrilled and honored to receive this honor,” said Morgan, a sport and exercise psychology major from Hilliard, Ohio.

The sport management master’s program celebrated leadership in the industry at the 22nd Sport Management Summit on Saturday, April 11, at the Erickson Alumni Center. Shane Lyons, director of intercollegiate athletics and associate vice president at WVU, was recognized as this year’s Distinguished Alumnus. The keynote address was delivered by Jane Kleinberger, co-founder and former CEO of Paciolan Systems.

The event gathers students in the on-campus graduate sports management program as well as alumni, faculty, CPASS administration and other guests from the industry.

Every year, the West Virginia University Foundation celebrates a special class of teacher:

The kind that nudges students toward their dreams.

In recognition of his advising service to students, Greg Goodwin has received the 2015 Nicholas Evans Professional Staff Advising Excellence Award from West Virginia University. Goodwin serves as the student services specialist in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences where he oversees student recruitment.

The award is given to two staff members who spend at least 50 percent of their time advising undergraduates in their academic endeavors. It honors those advising personnel who best emulate the character of Nicholas Evans, who is described as a “lifelong proponent and exemplar of student advising.” Along with the award comes $1,250 for travel and other professional development expenditures.

They’ll keep moving for another year in McDowell County as McDowell CHOICES, an initiative of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, has received a one-year continuation grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA continuation grant will allow McDowell CHOICES – coordinated health opportunities involving communities, environments and schools – to continue offering expanded access to physical activity to McDowell County students and their families, primarily by offering more after school physical activity programs. The program was created with a $204,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation.