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CPASS grad Zachary Hillis recently shared his thoughts and insight on how College faculty positively impacted his transition from undergraduate to graduate school, as well as his shift into the WVU College of Business and Economics:

Sport management and related CPASS faculty members have provided me with the experiences and knowledge necessary to make the move from sport-related management into business management. Each of my professors throughout my undergraduate career constantly reminded me to always stay involved in internship-type experiences and volunteer opportunities to continuously build my resume and list of connections.

McDowell CHOICES (Coordinated Health Opportunities Involving Communities, Environments and Schools) continues to support local schools in the southern region of the state. The project aims to increase the health and quality of life for students in McDowell County through a  USDA grant. The project, led by faculty members from CPASS and the WVU Health Sciences Center, focuses on advancing student achievement of the nationally recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

“The CHOICES project has been one of the best physical activity programs we’ve had in McDowell County Schools. It has provided a variety of high interest activity programs and professional development for teachers, many of which will be sustainable for years to come,” explained Carolyn H. Falin, assistant superintendent of K-12 curriculum and instruction.

First year CPASS students have the unique advantage of being part of a living-learning environment. The majority of these students live in or near Bennett Tower and are enrolled in CPASS-only sections of first-year seminar.

Students have the option of enrolling in a problem-based learning, special topics course, working on projects related to health, physical activity and wellness. In addition, various events are being organized outside the classroom throughout the year.

The future of the WVU’s hockey team is looking bright. Last month, A.J. Sturges was named head coach of the team. He is a second year doctoral student in the sport and exercise psychology program at CPASS.

Prior to arriving at WVU, Sturges earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University. He served as a head coach of a youth hockey team for one season while completing his master’s degree. Sturges is working to complete a second master’s degree at WVU in counseling psychology, as well as a Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology.

Wayne Sasso, senior Sport and Exercise Psychology student, was awarded the title of Volunteer of the Month after devoting time to the Mental Health of America, Monongalia County. Sasso spent two-days-a-week calling for donations, filing and helping clients create resumes and set up email accounts. Most importantly, he leant a listening ear to those who needed it.

“I like being able to sit and talk with people from different walks of life. I really enjoy their stories,” said Sasso.

Alyson Snyder is an undergrad PETE major, minoring in music performance. She has served active duty in the military for four and a half years.

Snyder serves in the WV Army National Guard with the 249th Army Band and was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Upon her promotion, her unit put her in charge of physical training. Snyder began competing in Army ten mile races three years ago to stay in shape and challenge herself.

CPASS student Brady Nolan of Reader and Joy Wang of Charleston were announced as this year’s honorees during halftime of the WVU vs. Texas Tech football game on Nov. 7 at Milan Puskar Stadium. The awards are given each year as part of WVU’s Mountaineer Week festivities.

“I applied to be Mr. Mountaineer because I have respect for the award which is given to a male student who shows outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. I have represented the University in several ways throughout my undergraduate career and I thought my involvement and academic success would make me a good candidate for the award,” Nolan explained.

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, in partnership with theDivision of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Brazilian Student Association at WVU, celebrated the spirit of sport, friendship and inclusiveness during Diversity Week 2015. The group hosted Diversity Cup 2015, a coed soccer tournament, at the student recreational fields outside the CPASS building.

Diversity Cup 2015 was won by Danone FC who defeated 6-0 Mercadinho Cidade Jardim in the final game of the 15 team double-elimination tournament. The entire event stretched across two weekends – September 27 and October 4. Teams were required to have both genders represented on the field at all times in a 5-on-5, no goalie style of play which led to incredible scoring and spectacular finishes.

Peer advisors have become a very important component within the sport and exercise psychology program. Created in the spring of 2009, peer advising offers a unique support system for SEP undergraduate students.

Peer advisors, who are typically juniors and seniors, have proven their focus on academics. They are selected due to their motivation and understanding of the major.

Zenzi Huysmans, sport and exercise psychology PhD student, recently received the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Student Diversity Conference Travel Grant. Huysmans, from Swaziland, a small country in South East Africa, is excited about the opportunity.

The grant provides racially and ethnically diverse students, with a developing interest in sport and exercise psychology, the chance to learn more about the field, develop professional connection within AASP, and also attend the annual conference in October.