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Samantha Strejeck earned two degrees from West Virginia University, a Sport Management MS (May 2017) and Strategic Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, minor in Leadership Studies BS (2015). Strejeck talks about her passion for sports, experiences as a CPASS sport management student and her internships with WVU Athletics. Strejeck, who grew up in Annapolis, MD, explains how experiential learning opportunities at WVU helped launch her career in the professional sports industry.

Read below to learn how Samantha Strejeck turned hands-on learning experiences while at WVU CPASS into establishing her career goal in social media in sports and then landing her dream position with the NFL.

An ongoing collaboration with the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) and the Human Performance Innovation Center (HPIC), which allows CPASS students to gain practical learning in support of classroom work, has taken another step in growing this unique educational experience and partnership.

Guy Hornsby, assistant professor, Coaching and Performance Science, recently received an adjunct faculty appointment with RNI and the HPIC. "This partnership establishes a more formal relationship between CPASS and RNI HPIC that I believe creates a nice bridge between the two programs. It is particularly attractive for our coaching and performance science students working in the HPIC lab and in sport science roles with WVU athletics,” Hornsby said.

Two CPASS graduate students attended a virtual experience titled A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth. The format featured a three-day course focusing on discussions about race and diversity. The purpose of the session is to erase racism and dismantle systematic oppression in America. 

A CPASS senior is using flexibility within his studies to gain useful experience outside of the classroom. Caden Roberts is pursuing his love of sports through a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management with a minor in scholastic coaching. He is scheduled to graduate in May 2021. 

Roberts, from Martinsburg, W.Va., credits his CPASS degree for equipping him with the vital tools he needs to become a successful coach and sport manager. “I chose CPASS because they provided curriculum and opportunities to grow as a basketball coach. Adaptability within the major has allowed me to continue to pursue relevant work and experience in the field,” he said. 

We want to introduce you to four graduate coaching and sport education students who gained valuable professional experience from coaching youth and college level athletes to coaching coaches. These hands-on learning opportunities allow graduate students to build their resumes while focusing and building on their primary career interests. Graduate students employ classroom learning to the field, while applying technique, psychology and administrative elements. Sport coaches must develop the essential skills and knowledge required to work with athletes in a variety of contexts across their lifetime.

Hometown: Killam, Alberta

Alfred “Al” F. Ware, a devoted West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus, died on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the age of 93 after a short illness in Franklin, Tennessee.

Ware, of Rupert, and his late wife, Dolores “Dee” Ware, had an unwavering history of support for CPASS through their wide-ranging philanthropy and leadership roles.

Blake Costalupes is passionate about exploring mindfulness interventions within sport and exercise psychology, focusing on student-athletes’ goals to help them excel.

Costalupes’ research, “A Smartphone Mindfulness-based Intervention Pilot Study with Competitive High School Baseball Players,” was selected for publication of the special student edition of the Journal of Kinesiology and Wellness. 

The next WVU Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Sciences Virtual Town Hall Fall Series is Oct. 29, 12:30 p.m. The discussion will cover ‘Tips and Highlights from a Youth Sport Program Model that Works in WV.’ The focus will explore how a youth sport program can help grow program numbers, increase diversity and inclusion and support youth enjoyment and development.

Using the long-term athletic development (LTAD) concept, presenters will take a look at how the Mountaineer United Soccer Club's pre-academy program aligns with current guidelines and recommendations for best practices in youth sport as well as how they have designed and implemented the program.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus credits his college mentors and active involvement in extracurricular activities as a student for his ongoing progress in the sports industry. Ryan Stamski, B.S., sport management, May ’20, is currently pursuing a career in player development in Major League Baseball. As he chases his dream career, he reflects on where his passions started. 

His interest in player development surfaced from his internship experience with the West Virginia Black Bears, where he worked closely with the Pirates’ player development staff. Stamski’s love for player development evolved during his student manager position with the West Virginia University baseball team. As an intern with the team, Stamski worked with many talented college athletes while gaining player development technology experience. 

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences’ newest staff member is focused on making learning accessible and engaging for CPASS students. Michele Korgeski, from Dunmore, Pennsylvania, says when she joined the college, she immediately noticed that administration and faculty care and want to help each student thrive.  

“My goal is to provide a consistency in learning, so the student and instructor can focus on the content they are learning and succeed in their studies,” Korgeski said.

Meet five undergraduate sport management students who grabbed hands-on learning opportunities to build their resumes, an important step to gain direct professional experience in the sports industry. Internships help students stand out within the sports field while establishing a critical networking component on their pathway to a career in sports. Multiple assignments and settings help students zero in on their area of interest in the field.   

Hometown: Warrenton, VA

The COVID-19 pandemic has made physical activity for youth more important than ever—and a West Virginia University organization’s focus on providing opportunity, motivation and access for every child to play sports has been identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Sciences at WVU, one of the first organizations to join the National Youth Sports Strategy Champion program, is part of a growing network to foster a lifelong love of sports and physical activity for youth.

This fall, the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science will support coaches, sport leaders and families in West Virginia through the continuation of their free, online town hall event series. Each event will bring together a unique panel of sport and coaching leaders and experts to explore and discuss important sport science related topics that impact youth and scholastic athletes and sports.

The Center will host these free, live virtual meetings through Zoom on August 27, September 24, October 29, November 19 and December 17. The Center will post registration details for each event on the CACSS website . Recordings from spring events are available through the website.

COVID-19 has caused an upheaval in higher education. Nearly every aspect of academia has needed to reboot, including learning, teaching and anything related to travel. In planning for their fall conference, the National Strength and Conditioning Association is no exception.   

The 2020 Advanced Periodization Virtual Clinic was initially intended, even prior to the pandemic, to operate on a virtual platform, establishing the event as a unique national conference. Once COVID-19 affected travel, NSCA staff decided that, instead of the speakers flying to NSCA headquarters in Colorado Springs to film their presentations, they would send a representative to each of the speakers at their respective institutions.  

A West Virginia University alumna with two degrees has returned to campus to guide wellbeing efforts. Amy Sidwell, Community Health Education M.S. (2000) and Kinesiology-Physical Education Teacher Education Ph.D. (2009), is serving as the new director of the WVU Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.  

The office is dedicated to cultivating the well-being of the campus community by coordinating efforts between all well-being initiatives at WVU. The group is led by Dr. Tara Hulsey, vice president, Health Promotion and Wellness.