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Dallas Branch, associate professor, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, celebrated his career accomplishments with colleagues, family and friends at a reception and dinner on April 15, 2016 at Lakeview Resort in Morgantown and hosted by CPASS.

“Dr. Branch has made a significant and lasting impact upon the sport management program at WVU. As a result of his efforts, this program has received a great deal of national and international acclaim, and has helped the program attract the best and brightest students,” explained Jack Watson, professor and chair, Department of Sport Sciences.

Faculty members and students in the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences were recently recognized for outstanding teaching, research and service for the 2015-16 academic year. The College announced the awards of 23 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students.

Brady Nolan received the SHAPE America Outstanding Major of the Year Award and was recognized as a WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior, along with Sarah Verdis. The following students received the Outstanding Student Award in their program: Brady Nolan, undergraduate Athletic Coaching Education and Andre Schneider, MS graduate, ACE; Sarah Verdis, undergraduate PETE and Ashley Dugas, MS graduate PETE; Jun-hyung Baek, Doctoral, Coaching and Teaching Studies; Allison Fansler, undergraduate Athletic Training and Kjersti Traaen, graduate Athletic Training; Anna Onderik, undergraduate SEP and Jay Stewart, graduate SEP; Nick Davidson, undergraduate Sport Management and Erin McClafferty, graduate Sport Management.

A West Virginia University faculty member has gathered an extensive group of experts to examine how sport is organized in Latin America. This is the first book of its kind to be published in English to offer a sweeping analysis of sport in the vast region.

Gonzalo Bravo, associate professor in sport management, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, is the lead editor of Sport in Latin America. Policy, Organization, Management, a book recently published in London and New York by Routledge.

Sam Zizzi, associate professor of sport and exercise psychology, offers wellness guidance in the Washington Post’s online article “How to turn a fitness goal into a lifetime of good health.” 

Zizzi provides tips for those who wish to maintain a plan for good health. “In general, the idea of changing your health at the start of a new year is a common idea. But these goals and attempts often fade by springtime because many people take the wrong approach. This article addresses how to make new attempts to change your health stick,” said Zizzi. 

An E article focusing on how to regain fitness at any age while rebounding from the psychological impact of discovering an out of shape physique, sought out a WVU CPASS faculty member to ensure a successful fitness program. The piece offered suggestions on how to become healthier and stronger while enjoying training. Dailyburn.com talked with Sam Zizzi, PhD, professor, sport and exercise psychology at CPASS, for advice.

“The connection to CPASS is that we want our faculty to be go-to people for how to start and maintain a physical activity program. This website is read by tens of thousands of people. It’s good recognition that a teacher/researcher can use their knowledge in a more far-reaching medium than a journal article,”   said Zizzi.

The Mountaineer family has distinct qualities. Mountaineers have purpose, are loyal and support each other. Mountaineers work harder, reach further and climb higher. The “Climb Higher” campaign is a campus celebration of the way faculty and staff exceed expectations and make West Virginia University better.

Clayton Kuklick was recently selected for his contributions to the college and university. He was nominated by Stephen Harvey, associate professor, physical education teacher education.

Stephen Harvey, West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences associate professor, has received the Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Journal Reviewer of the Year Award for 2015. The award was announced at the British Education Research Association Special Interest Group meeting earlier this fall.

Harvey was also nominated for the Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Journal Paper of the Year. He has served on the journal editorial board for the past five years.

Shane Lyons is glad to be home. After 27 years of climbing the ranks in athletic administration, he has landed at the top as the athletic director West Virginia University, the school where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sport management.

The Parkersburg, W.Va., native was named WVU’s athletic director and associate vice president in January 2015. He now oversees 18 varsity sports at WVU and has been entrusted with advancing the teams’ standings in the Big 12.

Welcome Byron Towner, WVU alum and West Virginia native, who serves as a clinical instructor in Coaching and Teaching Studies specializing in instructive content knowledge. After earning his Master of Science degree in physical education teacher education from WVU in 2007, Towner worked as a physical education teacher and basketball and football coach in Horry County, South Carolina for the last eight years.

Excited to return to his alma mater, Towner will lead current PETE students as they learn to properly and effectively teach sport skills. He hopes to bridge the gap between him and his students by incorporating his past experiences into the curriculum. His goal is to successfully teach his students while working toward his doctorate degree.