Latest News

CPASS sport and exercise psychology major junior  Habiba Shaker  is one of four members of the West Virginia University women’s tennis team named ITA Scholar-Athletes. The student-athletes were named to the ITA All-Academic team, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Shaker joins senior  Kaja Mrgole, exercise physiology, and sophomores Paula Goetz , industrial engineering, and  Abigail Rosiello , pre-medicine, who were all recognized by the ITA as Scholar-Athletes for their outstanding work in the classroom. The 2016 season marked the third consecutive year the Mountaineers earned academic team honors.

Kenneth W. Osleger has created a new endowment in support of a scholarship for the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Kelly Irene Osleger Endowed Scholarship was established in honor of Osleger’s daughter Kelly. She died of ovarian cancer three years ago at the age of 32.

“Kelly had a bright future that was snatched away from her. I know she would like to see other young students have the opportunity to excel in life,” said Osleger. The endowment will provide scholarships for undergraduate and/or graduate students with a preference to physical education teacher education and athletic training majors. The endowment gift amount to CPASS is $100,000.

A multi-team collaboration in elementary schools around the state has earned a first-in-the-nation achievement, according to the West Virginia Department of Education. A West Virginia University team played a critical role in the effort.

All 441 West Virginia public elementary schools have joined the Let’s Move! Active Schools Program, a national movement to help schools provide 60 minutes of physical activity a day.  

A West Virginia University alumnus has received a national award for his work as a high school social studies teacher. It took a twist in professions for Phil Caskey to discover his new passion – teaching – where he excels.

A three-time WVU degree holder and current University High School (Morgantown, W.Va.) social studies educator, Caskey was named the 2016 Civil War Trust National Teacher of the Year. He was honored in July at the Trust’s Summer Teacher’s Institute in Richmond, Va.

A  West Virginia University  College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences faculty member will lead the new Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Sciences (CACSS). CPASS athletic coaching education faculty member Kristen Dieffenbach  will serve as director of the facility.

CACSS focuses on projects designed to improve the work of those who coach, train coaches, and conduct and support research related to coaching and coach development. The Center highlights projects that promote multiple aspects of applied coaching science simultaneously.

Brooke Towner and Cory Breithoff, CPASS graduate students, have been selected to participate in the West Virginia Inaugural Summer Policy Institute 2016. The WV Center on Budget and Policy will host the gathering on the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus, July 29-31.

This program will allow students from accredited universities across the state to come together and learn about critical West Virginia specific policy issues. 

A local community outreach program combines physical activity and education while teaching responsible behavior and self esteem and encouraging lifelong friendships. The popular summer program promotes a healthy outlook toward an active lifestyle.

Young campers learn the value and benefits of proper nutrition, good health practices and the importance of having a well balanced lifestyle.Hosted by the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, the program helps kids improve physical fitness through sports. NYSP blends a strong educational focus, including sessions about career guidance, personal safety and community service.

A team of CPASS faculty members will lead an effort to study the moral, political, social and applied behavior aspects related to sports ethics.

The Russell “Bud” Bolton Center for Sports Ethics will enhance offerings in athletic coaching education, sport management and sport and exercise psychology programs. The center will promote the use of specialized lectures, case studies, guest speakers and research related to the topics of ethics in sports as integral parts of the courses in each of the programs.

Scott Barnicle, Ph.D., will join the CPASS faculty in August as the new teaching assistant professor for the sport and exercise psychology program. Barnicle earned his Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Idaho. Since graduation, he has worked with the military and collegiate athletic teams focusing on performance enhancement. Most recently, Barnicle has simultaneously served as an adjunct instructor at several institutions.

Barnicle feels that sport and exercise psychology is especially important to society. “Sport and exercise psychology has the ability to benefit and shape multiple aspects of our lives,” Barnicle said.

Kibum Cho, a graduate student in the CPASS Coaching and Teaching Studies program, was awarded a 2016 SHAPE America Research Council grant. The Committee selected Cho’s grant proposal titled: Exploring Appalachian Guardians’ Opt-In and Out Decisions of Children School-Based Health Screenings and awarded Cho $2,215 in funding.

The grant recognizes an elite group of students. “This is a competitive process that funds five to six awards to doctoral students nationwide per year,” explained Emily Jones, assistant professor, Physical Education Teacher Education.