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Stamoulis leverages relationships to build a foundation for his career in sports

James Stamoulis smiles while standing in the stands at a baseball stadium, wearing a red Fenway Ambassadors polo shirt and a white cap, with a crowd visible behind him.

For James Stamoulis, WVU's strong reputation in the world of sport management was a strong factor in him deciding to become a Mountaineer. Now, on the verge of graduating, he confidently says that the reputaiton was well-earned. Stamoulis built on the academic foundation with his own initiative to create strong relationships with faculty and alumni that allowed him to maximize his time in Morgantown. Those relationships not only expanded his network but also helped clarify his direction as he begins his career in the sport industry.

WVU students earn top abstract honors at Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference

A large group of WVU students and faculty pose together in front of an atrium with balloons and city buildings in the background at the AASP conference.

Two West Virginia University students earned top student abstract awards at the 40th Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference, held in Montreal, Canada.

 So Hui Lee and Lindsey Leatherman, doctoral students in the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology program, were selected among the top ten highest-rated student abstracts at the event. The recognition is part of AASP’s Student Travel Awards program, which provides support for student members who are selected to present their research at the conference.

Terry leads team behind US Soccer teams

John Terry pointing to the crowd with the text that says "The Team Behind the Team."

John Terry is the Vice President of Events at US Soccer - and a WVU alum. Together with his team, he helps the US men's and women's soccer teams hold their games at stadiums throughout the country - bringing excitement, joy, and pride to the communities they visit. Learn how his involvement at WVU through both his sport management major and extracurriculars helped him figure out what he wanted to do, and get a head start to do it.

Forget dives into research and leadership in psychology of sport and performance at WVU

Aidan Forget sits in a striped shirt with a WV on it. He is sitting in front of a statue of a wildcat.

Despite being in just his second year on campus, Aidan Forget is already a junior and has immersed himself in research in his field of study: sport, exercise, and performance psychology. The Wheeling, W.Va., native joined research projects as a freshman and is now looking to lead his own study on resilience in NCAA golfers. He's taken an active role in the Sport and Exercise Psychology Club in an effort to be at the top of his field as he pursues a career consulting, research, and teaching.

Fitzgerald's family influence guides her path in sport management

Lauren Fitzgerald stands on the field at Milan Puskar Stadium during a football game.

Lauren Fitzgerald, a senior from Fanwood, N.J., grew up surrounded by sports through her father’s career and her brother’s interest in the field. That exposure sparked her own passion for sport management, which she has since built on through hands-on experiences at WVU. From her experience with the New Jersey Jackals to her internship with WVU Athletics in Operations and Facilities, she has turned her family’s influence into a foundation for her own career path.

National Public Lands Day to set for Sept. 27

Two people walk along a wooded trail surrounded by lush green foliage in a West Virginia forest.

West Virginians are invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, by joining outdoor activities at state parks across the Mountain State.

Events will be held at state parks across West Virginia and include guided hikes, naturalist-led tours, paddling excursions, and conservation projects designed to highlight the state’s public lands and encourage outdoor recreation.

Stark embraces hands-on opportunity at Ruby Memorial Hospital

Jade Stark smiling for a photo outdoors.

When Jade Stark arrived at West Virginia University, she initially planned to study nursing. But after taking her first Health and Well-Being classes, she found a better fit in patient care. The Manassas, Va., native built hands-on experience as an MRI Tech Assistant at Ruby Memorial Hospital, where she overcame her nerves, mastered skills like administering IVs, and discovered how rewarding it is to help patients heal. Stark says her time in the program and at WVU has given her a clear path forward in healthcare and a strong sense of community in the College of Applied Human Sciences.

WV Healthy Schools in Action receives CDC funding for year 3

Three elementary school students balance on wooden rocker boards outside a school building. The activity is part of a Healthy Schools in Action program promoting physical activity and wellness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved funding for the third year of the West Virginia Healthy Schools in Action initiative, supporting efforts to create healthier learning environments across the state.

“This continued CDC funding allows us to expand Healthy Schools in Action statewide and build on the success in Mercer County to help schools turn wellness policies into everyday practices that improve the health of students and staff across West Virginia,” said Eloise Elliott, director of the Center for ActiveWV.

WVU alum returns to high school alma mater as one of nation's youngest basketball coaches

Keenan Coley stands outside smiling, dressed in a light green shirt and orange tie.

Keenan Coley threw all of his basketball gear into the closet and slammed the door shut. He couldn't stand the sight of it. The 19-year-old had just returned from California, where his college basketball career at Warren Wilson College ended on a court in Santa Cruz. His final play was fitting: a contested shot and another injury. The injury served as yet another reminder that his desire to continue in the sport he’d loved since he was five far exceeded what his body could endure.

"I was like, it'll be forever if you're waiting for me to coach," Coley told his mother, who suggested he might find his way back to basketball someday. "It's never going to happen."

WVU Magazine Feature: Pitch in

Constantinos Christou claps on the soccer field.

A recent feature in WVU Magazine highlights the WVU Men’s Soccer Team’s mentoring program at Brookhaven Elementary, where players teach soccer skills and serve as role models for young students. The story illustrates the intersection of education and sport central to our mission at the College of Applied Human Sciences. Brookhaven Principal Sara Kane credits the WVU School of Education for helping make the program a success — one that promotes physical activity, life skills, and college-going aspirations.

Active SWV and WV Physical Activity Plan launch statewide wellness challenge

A person paddle boarding with the New River Gorge Bridge in the background.

Active Southern West Virginia (Active SWV), in partnership with the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan, is launching a new statewide initiative: Move More with Active SWV: How Do You Measure Your Mountaineer Mile? The six-week virtual challenge begins on Monday, June 9, and encourages West Virginians to discover and expand their daily physical activity, no matter their current fitness level or preferred type of movement.

The campaign invites both individuals and organizations to commit to moving more over six weeks.

Allan Johnson inducted into Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame

Allan Johnson headshot.

Allan Johnson, a graduate of West Virginia University’s sport management master's program, received one of the highest honors in the profession by being inducted into the Legends in the Field Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame at the 2025 CSCCa National Conference in Indianapolis.

A native of Parkersburg, W.Va., Johnson has spent more than 35 years advancing strength and conditioning practices across high school, collegiate, and professional sports. His career includes influential roles with WVU, Ohio State, Northwestern, East Tennessee State, and the Baltimore Orioles. He has coached more than 150 professional draft picks and contributed to multiple national championships and undefeated seasons.

Courtney Semkewyc joins baseball staff and School of Sport Sciences as biomechanist

Graphic announcing the addition of Courtney Semkewyc, PhD, as a biomechanist for WVU Baseball’s Biomechanics and Performance Center. The image features her portrait with gold and blue branding, including logos for WVU, Nike, Big 12, and the West Virginia

West Virginia University baseball head coach Steve Sabins and Director of the School of Sports Sciences Dana Voelker have announced the addition of Courtney Semkewyc as a Biomechanist and Service Assistant Professor, a role that connects the School of Sport Sciences and the Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center. Semkewyc will lead the center's daily operations while contributing to teaching, research, and outreach in sport biomechanics and related areas.

Students from the College of Applied Human Sciences are ready to lead, teach and serve

A student presents his fresh diploma to family in the crowd

The College of Applied Human Sciences will celebrate commencement on Sunday, May 18, at 9 a.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will earn their degrees this weekend.

Hope Wright combined her passion for education and music through field experience and performances with “The Pride of West Virginia.” Chloe Hardesty, inspired by her family’s legacy in education, logged more than 900 hours in local classrooms and will now teach while pursuing a master’s degree.