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The globalization of sport has never been more evident than it is today, and the cross-cultural reach of sport continues to explode at the recreational, amateur and professional levels. It is the mission of FiT Publishing, the publishing division of the International Center for Performance Excellence (ICPE), to support CPASS’s international educational initiatives by disseminating the most recent research in the sport sciences field — by both national and international scholars — to a global audience in the form of our journals and books. 

In 1992, FiT Publishing began publication of its first journal, Sport Marketing Quarterly (SMQ). Today, SMQ is recognized internationally as a premier sport marketing journal, with a subscriber base in more than 20 countries, an upcoming impact factor rating, and, recently, video podcasts to accompany each issue. The International Journal of Sport Finance (IJSF) serves as a high-level forum for the worldwide dissemination of current research on sport finance topics, with the objective to advance knowledge of the topic area from both a globally diversified and multidisciplinary perspective. 

As one way to recognize employees, WVU created 150 Celebration Coins to show appreciation for individuals who shine with the principles of service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation. Only 150 distinctive gold coins were created to honor faculty and staff who exemplify these values and strive to excel each day in their respective roles. CPASS recipients of the 150 Celebration Coins include the following: Sharon Sisler, business planning officer; Joanne Pollitt, office administrator; Tracy Wheeler, operations manager; and Sean Bulger, professor (via WVU online program).

An SEP faculty member blended a worldwide group of experts in a publication highlighting mindful, joyful living.

Sam Zizzi, Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor, along with  Mark B. Andersen, an adjunct professor at Halmstad University in Sweden, published “Being Mindful in Sport and Exercise Psychology: Pathways for Practitioners and Students.”

In the fall, CPASS will add a new faculty member to the Physical Education Teacher Education program.

Jeremy Yeats will join West Virginia University after a six-year stint as an assistant professor and two years as the graduate coordinator of the Coaching master’s program at Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado.

Dana Voelker, Sport and Exercise Psychology assistant professor, joins the ranks of six West Virginia University faculty members who were selected for the 2018 Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, which honors exceptional professors who go above and beyond to inspire their students.

In addition to Voelker, this year’s honorees include: Malayna Bernstein, director, Learning Sciences Programs; Edward Flagg, assistant professor, Physics and Astronomy; Todd Hamrick, teaching associate professor, Fundamentals of Engineering; David Martinelli, professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Carrie Rishel, professor and director, Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health Training Program. 

Omur Dugan, from Turkey, is a visiting scholar at CPASS, working with Gonzalo Bravo, associate professor in sport management. Her research areas include ethical and gender issues in sport management, with a focus in career development and barriers for women in sports. Dugan focused on gender issues in senior management in Turkish sport organizations during her doctorate degree. 

While at WVU, Dugan will develop the project "Glass Ceiling Syndrome and Career Development of Women in NCAA" with Bravo. “I've known Dr. Bravo from his international publications and the international sport management network we have. I will also collaborate in a project with one of Dr. Bravo's graduate students on a similar topic.  

Emi Tsuda will be joining CPASS as a visiting assistant professor for 2017–2018. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and is a licensed physical education teacher in Japan. In 2012, she arrived in the U.S. and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in physical education teacher education at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on examining the role of motor competence to engage in physical activity and exploring ways to assist teachers in providing effective physical education to enhance student motor skill learning. She is interested in how the tasks teachers develop and select impact student learning. Tsuda’s research specifically focuses on early childhood to middle childhood physical education.

James Wyant will be joining CPASS as an assistant professor of Physical Education Teacher Education in fall 2017. He is a West Virginia native who has experience working in K-12 schools, implementing after-school physical activity programming for underserved youth and mentoring students of all levels. He provides expertise in assessment and evaluation, as well as teacher training. In addition to teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, he coordinates student teaching experiences for the Physical Education Teacher Education program. He is interested in researching the physical education labor market and instructional technology in physical education. Wyant is looking forward to working with the faculty and students at West Virginia University.

This year FiT Publishing is celebrating more than 30 years in operation and 13 years in the Mountaineer family. In 1984 Fitness Information Technology, Inc., was founded by William L. Alsop and Andrew C. Ostrow (professors emeriti of WVU) in Morgantown, with the goal of being recognized as a premier publisher in the sport sciences field. In 2004 — just in time for the College’s 72nd year — FiT was gifted to CPASS in honor of Andrew Ostrow’s father Philip Ostrow and, under the umbrella of WVU, FiT has flourished.

Today, FiT honors its original mission to be a leading publisher in sport sciences as the principal publishing arm of the International Center for Performance Excellence in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. FiT now publishes three journals, one of which is recognized internationally as a premier sport marketing journal with a subscriber base in more than 20 countries, and this year, FiT will publish more than 10 textbooks including upcoming titles “Experiential Learning in Sport Management: Internships and Beyond,” “Enhancing Performance and Quality of Life,” and “Being Mindful in Sport and Exercise Psychology: Pathways for Practitioners and Students,” co-edited by WVU CPASS professor Sam Zizzi.

Vincent Stilger, WVU athletic training program director, HSD, ATC has earned the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) 2017 Service Award. The Athletic Trainer Service Award (ATSA) recognizes NATA members for contributions as a volunteer at the local and state levels. 

Stilger has served as the WVU undergraduate athletic training program director and associate professor at CPASS since 1994. He helps during the fall season with the WVU football team as an athletic trainer. Stilger is a Board of Certification Athletic Trainer and a member of NATA, WVATA. Stilger earned his Master of Science and bachelor’s degrees from Indiana State University  

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.