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Raymond Prior will share his research with students and faculty on Thursday October 13, 8 to 10 a.m. in CPASS room 260.

“I was a college student-athlete. I often wondered why certain athletes and people weren't as good as they should be. Despite having all the physical and intellectual ability needed to be successful, many of them were inconsistent at best and they all struggled to perform under pressure,” Prior said.

Terry Jackson, SEP graduate, likes to talk about how running helped change his life.

“After I earned my undergrad degree, I ended up putting a lot into perspective.I felt lousy, physically and mentally; I just needed a change. At the time I didn't have a job lined up so I started running around the block.A half mile became a mile, then I ended up running a 5K and finally a marathon,” he said.

Pursuing his dreams while making an impact. That’s what student, Andre Kowisky has been doing since graduating with a master’s degree from WVU. Kowisky transitioned from CPASS to growing his role as a coach for the Morgantown United Soccer Club in Morgantown, WV.

Kowisky received his bachelor’s degree in physical activities and sport science from Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) located in his hometown of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He then pursued his education in the United States, graduating from CPASS this May with an MS in athletic coaching/performance coaching.

Recent CPASS graduate Zachery Vaji embodies the meaning of determination as a Mountaineer by taking the initiative to make his goals a reality.

Vaji, from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, enrolled at WVU in 2012 and by August, 2015 he had earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management. He continued his education and graduated with a master’s degree in sport management in August 2016.

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, in partnership with the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the WVU Brazilian Student Association, will celebrate the spirit of sport, friendship and inclusiveness during Diversity Week 2016 by sponsoring the   Diversity Cup – Five vs. Five Coed Soccer Tournament.

This tournament will take place on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 on the turf fields located in front of the CPASS building on the Evansdale Campus. Registration is free and open to all WVU undergraduate and graduate students. 

Peter and Linda Zulia have created a new endowment in support of a scholarship for the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Peter and Linda Zulia Endowed Scholarship was established to launch opportunities for WVU athletic training students.

“This endowment that Linda and I have created is established in part for what CPASS, and the Athletic Training Program specifically, offered me when I was a student athletic trainer. Quite simply, we are excited to create an opportunity for the benefit of future WVU Athletic Training students so that they can fulfill their dreams,” Zulia explained. The endowment gift amount to CPASS is $25,000.

Elizabeth Janeiro, a sport and exercise psychology student, presented research, in collaboration with Dr. Dana Voelker, as part of her eight week-long summer internship. Janeiro presented her project at the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium,in late July at the Erickson Alumni Center.

“Elizabeth and I worked collaboratively on this research project at every stage and we plan to continue our work together by submitting a peer-reviewed manuscript with the results,” said Voelker.

Two CPASS alumni have combined efforts to strengthen physical education in the Canton Public Schools District (Canton, MA). Ryan Gordy was promoted from wellness instructor at Canton high school to K-12 wellness department coordinator for Canton Public School District. The district hired CPASS grad Adam Hughes as his replacement at the high school.

Gordy and Hughes met each other through the Physical Education Teaching Education program at West Virginia University. With similar views on physical education, the two graduates are now working together in Canton on a new PE program to improve student growth throughout the school district and impact the community.

Erika Van Dyke, CPASS sport and exercise psychology doctoral student, received the APA Division 47 Thesis Award at the American Psychological Association Convention. She presented her research project, Exploring Relationships among Self-talk and Balance Beam Performance in Gymnastics, at the APA Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 4-7.

Growing up as a gymnast, the sport became a big part of Van Dyke’s life from a young age through college as an NCAA Division I gymnast. As a high level athlete, Van Dyke incorporated self-talk into her competitive performances and became fascinated by how mental skills influence performance.

Sae-Mi Lee, a fifth year doctoral student beginning this fall, is the 2016 Association for Applied Sport Psychology Student Diversity Award recipient. This award recognizes and honors students who have made important contributions to the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology on issues related to diversity.

“I’m really excited to receive this award. Professionals in the field who also believe diversity is important are encouraging me to keep shedding light to the margins. Promoting equity and social justice is important, especially in sport psychology, because we’re trying to help people and improve their lives.” Lee explained.