2021 Inductees
Herbert K. Amato
Herbert K. Amato has a 41-year career teaching at the high school and university
levels, in program administration and clinical practice. At James Madison University,
Dr. Amato served as the Athletic Training Education program director from 1988-2006
and is currently the associate vice provost. As a professor, he teaches a graduate
course in sport and recreation management leadership. In 1988, he was selected
as a member of the medical staff for the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea and
traveled with the U.S. Baseball team throughout Italy and Japan as part of the
pre-Olympic tour. He served on multiple medical staffs with the USA Deaf Sports
Federation, traveling to Russia, Bulgaria and Taiwan. Amato has published extensively
in the areas of Athletic Training education and clinical practice and is a co-founder
of ACES (Amato-Cole Educational Services), an organization preparing students for
success on the BOCATC examination. In 2003, he received the NATA Distinguished
Educator award and in 2012 he was inducted into the Virginia Athletic Training
Hall of Fame. He holds a B.S. in Physical Education (Athletic Training) from WVU,
an M.S. in Education from JMU, and a Doctor of Arts in Physical Education from
Middle Tennessee State University.
Dana D. Brooks
Dana D. Brooks was named interim dean of the College of Physical Activity and
Sport Sciences in 1992, then known as the School of Physical Education, later becoming
the permanent dean in 1993. He led CPASS in expanding degree programs for undergraduate
and graduate students, the creation of a new building that included innovative
lab and classroom spaces and hired faculty who have developed national research
profiles in their fields. During his tenure, Brooks secured two endowed professorships
for CPASS, which helped support physical activity and wellness programs across
life spans. Brooks oversaw the development of ICPE and FiT Publishing, previously
a private book publishing company. A fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology
and Physical Education, Brooks served as president of the American Alliance for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, now named SHAPE America. He
previously served as chair or member of numerous committees and councils, including
the WVU Athletics Council, Black Community Concerns, Social Justice Council and
Affirmative Action. He was the National Youth Sports Program project administrator
for 32 years which provided underprivileged youth with sport and enrichment activities
that impacted the lives of more than 8,000 children. Brooks retired as the Dean
of CPASS on June 30, 2019.
Read more about Dana's accomplishments at CPASS
Joseph A. Martin
Joseph A. Martin was born in Woodsboro, Md. and graduated from the WVU School
of Journalism in 1993 with a degree in Broadcast News. Following an internship
with the Mountaineer Sports Network he became a graduate assistant and earned a
master’s degree in Sport Management in 1996. That same year he began his career
at NBC Sports as an intern and was hired as a freelance employee to work on the
Atlanta Olympics as a production assistant. Assignments with NBC Sports since then
have included the NBA Finals, Super Bowl XXXII, Golf and several other Olympic
Games. In 2007 Martin began directing golf for NBC Sports as well as Golf Channel
and has directed the U.S. Open, Open Championship, The Ryder Cup, The Players and
FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Drive, Chip, and Putt Finals from Augusta National.
Olympic directing assignments include various events at the London games, Snowboarding
and Extreme Skiing in both Russia and South Korea, and Swimming in Rio and Tokyo.
In 2021 NBC chose Martin to direct the Olympics Closing Ceremony. He has won five
Sports Emmy Awards during his career including the 2008 Award for Live Sports Special
which was presented to NBC’s golf production team for their coverage of Tiger Woods
winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Catherine E. Parson
Catherine "Cathy" E. Parson was named Central State University's head Women’s
Basketball coach in November of 2020. Parson earned a bachelor's degree in physical
education from West Virginia University in 1984, master's degree in adult education
and training from the University of Phoenix in 2010 and is completing a doctorate
degree in education from Morgan State University. Parson has a vast and highly
successful coaching background. Prior to her arrival at Central State she served
at Stratford University, Frostburg State University, Howard University, University
of Richmond, Providence College and Christopher Newport University. In 1998, Parson
was the interim head coach for the WNBA's Washington Mystics. She has also served
as a high school head coach at North Hagerstown. Parson was the first woman to
earn an athletic scholarship from WVU. Playing at WVU from 1979 to 1983, Parson
set and still holds many of the school records. She finished her career as the
WVU women’s all-time career scoring leader with 2,128 points. In 1996, Parson became
the first woman to be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. During her tenure
at CNU, her teams appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times and advanced to final
field of 16 teams once.