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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.

Drs. Lynne and Andy Ostrow understand the value of education. As West Virginia University faculty members, the duo each spent 35 years helping students achieve their dreams at the University. Now, they are taking that passion for education one step further by providing $50,000 for scholarships at WVU.

The Ostrow International Achievement Award ($25,000) will provide financial support to enhance study abroad and international travel experiences for undergraduate students in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CPASS). Additionally, the funds may be used to support students’ participation in faculty-led overseas travel.

CPASS will host the film, "The Man Behind the Suit," a new documentary featuring Robert DeProspero and his life as a retired Secret Service agent who was head of security during the Reagan administration. The event, scheduled on Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m. in CPASS room G-06, celebrates DeProspero’s career, family life and community service. DeProspero is a Morgantown native, CPASS Hall of Fame and WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni member. Following the film presentation, audience members will be invited to participate in a Q&A session.

Guy Hornsby, teaching assistant professor, Athletic Coaching Education, serves as the volunteer head coach for West Virginia Weightlifting, a USA Weightlifting registered club and WVU Sport Club. Weightlifting is contested both nationally and internationally. Established competitions include the Pan American Championships and World Championships along with the Summer Olympic Games program.

West Virginia Weightlifting saw two WVU students, Khlaed Almenaies (56kg) and Aaron Snoberger (77kg) competing at the 2016 National University Championships in New Orleans, LA, this September.

A newly established planned gift from Dr. John and Kacey Gay will create an endowment in support of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Dr. John and Kacey Gay Endowment will support future research and teaching initiatives in the college.

The college will recognize the Gays’ gift in naming the CPASS Research Wall in the couple’s honor. Their gift amount, estimated to be in excess of $2 million, would become the second largest gift currently received by the college. 

A newly created endowment in support of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will focus on community-engaged research to advance the health, wellness and physical activity of West Virginia’s adult population. 

The inaugural Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor was awarded to Sam Zizzi, professor, CPASS Sport and Exercise Psychology program, to support research and health promotion initiatives aimed at improving the health of West Virginians.

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.

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.

A  West Virginia University faculty member has been selected to join an elite group of international coaching experts to create a network of coach developers across the world.

Kristen Dieffenbach, associate professor in WVU’s  College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences  athletic coaching education program, has been selected into the Nippon Sport Science University Coach Developer Academy as part of the Japanese government’s Sport for Tomorrow program. As a fully funded initiative leading up to the 2020 Olympics to be hosted by Japan, the program targets athletes, coaches and coach developers.