School of Sport Sciences students, faculty and alumni earn national honors

The School of Sport Sciences recently had several faculty, students and alumni recognized for outstanding work across multiple fields and disciplines.

Tsuda named SHAPE Research Fellow
Emi Tsuda, assistant professor, was named a SHAPE Research Fellow at the organization’s annual conference. Fellow status is reserved for members who have made significant and sustained contributions to scholarship (research, creative, or scholarly activity) and related service in the areas of interest to SHAPE America. The purpose of Fellow status is to promote scholarship as an integral component of SHAPE America, recognize accomplishments in scholarship and promote participation in research activities of SHAPE America.

Oja’s work recognized by JIIA
Brent Oja, assistant professor, co-authored a paper that was recognized by the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics as the 2022 Outstanding Paper. The paper entitled “ The Influence of Emotions in the Collegiate Sport Workplace: An Analysis of Sport Employee Pride, Passion, and Engagement” was written by Logan Schuetz (Texas A&M University-Commerce), Oja, Sean Dahlin (Central Washington University) and Alicia B. Roman (University of Northern Colorado). The paper was recognized at the College Sport Research Institute on March 23.

100 percent pass rate for PEK students in first edTPA submission
Students in the physical education and kinesiology program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the edTPA performance assessment this spring with all 10 students passing on the first submission. The edTPA is a nationally recognized teacher evaluation that measures a candidate’s ability to teach effectively in that subject area. The assessment consists of three tasks that evaluate a candidate's planning, instruction, and assessment abilities, requiring the submission of a portfolio of teaching materials such as lesson plans, instructional materials, and video recordings of their teaching.

Passing the assessment were:  William Bragg, Brandon Combs, Reese Crounse, Angelina D’Angelo, Mackenzley Gaskill, Nathan Schweinebraten, Kristen Smith, Wesley Spencer, Aidan Stotts, Charlotte Wood.

The physical education and kinesiology faculty who helped mentor students are: Samantha Ross, Emi Tsuda, Andrea Taliaferro, James Wyant and Jeremy Yeats.  

Sport management alum named to SBJ 40 under 40 list
Todd Knisley, a two-time WVU sport management graduate, has been named to the Sports Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. Knisley is currently the vice president and general manager for Ohio State Sports Properties. He served in a similar capacity at WVU from 2013-2020, and was an adjunct professor in the sport management program from 2016-2020. Knisely will be recognized at a gala on Friday, Oct. 20, in Las Vegas.  

Faculty, alum claim NAKHE honors
Samantha Ross, assistant professor, was named the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Hally Beth Poindexter Young Scholar Award at the organization’s conference in January in New Orleans. The award is given to professionals employed for five or fewer years in higher education. In addition to the award, Ross presented her paper “Disability simulation design and implementation in adapted physical activity coursework – reports from faculty.”