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Three West Virginia University faculty members have been recognized for outstanding leadership and research.  Emily Jones, associate professor, CPASS, has been awarded the Mabel Lee Award from the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), presented to only one professional at the university level each year.

Sport and Exercise Psychology students have chalked up an impressive set of accomplishments during the past six months. Students have submitted, and some successfully published, manuscripts, chapters and articles in a variety of publications, including the Oxford University Press, Routledge/Psychology Press,  Kinesiology Review and The Sport Psychologist.  

Featured SEP grad students include:  RobertHilliard,  Tammy Sheehy,  Leigh Bryant Skvarla,  Megan Byrd,  Stefanee Van Horn,  Erika Van Dyke,  Zenzi Huysmans,  Jonathan Stewart and  William Way.

The West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ( WVAHPERD), the state’s professional organization representing physical and health education teachers and those in related fields, has honored three CPASS professionals for their research and dedication to physical activity and health as some of the state’s most dedicated educators.  

Sean Bulger, associate professor, received the Ray O. Duncan Award. Bulger previously accepted the WVAHPERD Honor Award, as required to be considered for this most prestigious award within the organization. Bulger was selected for providing exemplary service to the Association and the profession.  

Sign up for Mountaineer Quest, an outdoor-based orientation program designed exclusively for incoming College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CPASS) students. This five-day summer program helps incoming first-year students make friends, explore area outdoor destinations and learn more about WVU and their major before the start of the fall semester. The program is co-hosted by Adventure WV and CPASS.

This camp-based, peer-led five-day program prepares incoming students for life at WVU and the state. Based at Camp Muffly, a few miles south of Morgantown, students will participate in adventure day trips around the region, including rock climbing, inflatable kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking and service. Students will explore and reflect on their transition to college within small group discussions in the evenings.

Dan Stratford (Physical Education Teacher Education MS 2015; Physical Education Teacher Education BSPE 2009) has been selected as the new head coach of the University of Charleston (W.Va.) Golden Eagle men's soccer team. Athletic Director Dr. Bren Stevens introduced former assistant Stratford following an abbreviated search to replace Chris Grassie, who recently left Charleston for Marshall University.
 
"I have been impressed with Coach Stratford's abilities since we first hired him back in 2014 and in my mind he is the perfect coach to lead this program. Dan possesses superior knowledge as it relates to the myriad of techniques and tactics involved with the game of soccer. Coach Stratford is articulate, bright and will add synergy to the Department of Athletics,” said Stevens in her introduction of Stratford to the Golden Eagle men's soccer team.

Stevens highlighted Stratford’s commitment to ensure a “positive” student-athlete experience for all team members along with a strong focus on player success on the field and in the classroom. Stratford credits his time at WVU and CPASS as helping to strengthen his effectiveness as a coach. 

Visit the West Virginia University Online Degrees website and you’ll see a familiar face. Sean Bulger, PETE associate professor, is highlighted in a current story, showcasing his background and leadership within the program. The college thanks Chelsea Betts, digital content specialist with WVU Online, for allowing us to share the story with our readers.

Like most professionals in the physical education field, Bulger was very involved in sports at a young age and throughout his childhood and adolescence. As a young boy in Buffalo, NY, he played almost every traditional team sport there was. Baseball, basketball and soccer–just to name a few–slowly transitioning into cross country and track as he began his college career. When choosing a field of study in college as an undergraduate and master’s student, his decision never wavered. It would be physical education.

Bill Treasurer, 1985 CPASS grad, writes popular leadership books that often draw on lessons he learned as the co-captain of the WVU Swimming and Diving Team (’82, 83, 84). “As a student athlete, you learn valuable lessons about discipline, perseverance and good sportsmanship. You also learn about juggling multiple responsibilities, setting clear goals, dealing with egos, yours and others, and staying healthy and fit. All of those lessons translate well into the workplace,” said Treasurer.

 After graduating from WVU, Treasurer went on to become a member of the U.S. High Diving Team and traveled throughout the world performing dives from heights that scaled to more than 100-feet, diving into pools that were often only 10-feet-deep. As the captain of the team, he learned valuable leadership lessons. “The most important lesson I learned, early on,” he said, “was that I sucked at leading. I had no idea who I was as a leader, but I knew that my team didn’t like being led by me. They told me so!” 

Matt Strober, physical education and teacher education major, is serving as the captain of WVU’s D3 Ice Hockey Team for the 2016-2017 season.

Strober, who has been captain twice before, is eager to once again take the helm. He is in the midst of his senior season with WVU Ice Hockey.

Renee Brown, Physical Education and Teacher Education doctoral student, received the Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Award at the West Virginia Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance conference held earlier this fall semester.

Brown was unable to attend the conference, however, she is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with WVAHPERD and credits her current success to the organization.