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When it comes to excellence beyond the classroom, West Virginia University is no stranger. A group of students and faculty members from the CPASS physical education and kinesiology program attended the annual West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference, Oct. 18.

Undergraduate student Austin Adams discussed “Linking Theory to Practice: Scaffolding in Physical Education.” Adams demonstrated the zone of proximal development by implementing scaffolding in a game used as an active learning strategy. The presentation was followed by a group discussion to evaluate how this theory could be used in physical education.

The Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science at the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will host a three-hour livestreamed event focused on coaching and coach education in the United States through a grant from the West Virginia University Office of the Provost.

The event will feature video capture and livestreaming on December 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in the WVU College of Law Event Center, entitled Examining Coaching and Coach Education in the United States. The presentation will feature sport industry and academic leaders and highlight quality coaching and coach education within the American sport system. The video will be available free for public use.

It’s no secret that West Virginia currently ranks as one of the highest states for obesity prevalence. Partners from multiple organizations around the state, including faculty and staff from West Virginia University, believe that a key component to tackling this problem is to empower communities to take charge of their health – thus forming Take Back Our Health WV.

Take Back Our Health WV, a community-based project that aims to improve the health of West Virginians by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities where West Virginians live, work, learn, play and pray.

The Steelcase Active Learning Center will officially open at West Virginia University, Thursday, October 31, 3 p.m. in the Health and Education building, Evansdale campus. The center was funded by Steelcase Education and is valued at $67,000.

According to the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences’ faculty, it ideally suits courses that emphasize collaborating and cooperative learning approaches. “The overarching goal here remains our increased capacity to engage students more actively in their own learning and to move toward interactive pedagogical approaches that better serve today’s learners,” Sean Bulger, professor, physical education and kinesiology, and associate dean for graduate and online education said.

While many people pursue a career in athletics to enhance their own skills, some get involved to develop the skills of others. Raymond Kryzak, an Athletic Coaching Education master’s student at West Virginia University, spends his time outside of the classroom as a soccer coach in the Morgantown area. Originally from Charleston, W.Va., he chose to further his education with CPASS after accepting a business manager role with the TopSoccer program within Mountaineer United Soccer Club.

TopSoccer is a community-based training program for athletes with intellectual, emotional and or physical disabilities. Kryzak’s involvement includes coaching and teaching soccer to children with various disabilities in a safe, encouraging environment. “It is a way for them to get physical activity and the opportunity to play, which they deserve,” he said.

West Virginia University fosters inclusion and diversity on campus. The Mountaineer community represents numerous faces, each one unique and special. Behind every face is a story. For three years, students have joined together to honor the University’s diversity and find common ground through the love of soccer.

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences hosted the 5th Annual Diversity Cup Tournament, September 28-29. The CPASS Sport Management Club, WVU Athletics and the WVU Recreation Center partnered with CPASS to celebrate diversity, friendship and inclusion.

The West Virginia University Alumni Association will welcome many familiar faces to campus this fall during 2019 Homecoming ceremonies, as the University celebrates accomplishments of alumni around the globe. The Alumni Association will recognize Dana Brooks, former College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences dean, as the 2019 recipient of the Paul B. “Buck” Martin award.

The Alumni Association is honoring Brooks for his efforts to preserve, maintain and promote the traditions of WVU. Buck Martin served as president of the Alumni Association and was former editor of The Martinsburg Journal and noted WVU historian.

While the physical nature of sport appeals to many people, there are underlying aspects of the science and preparation that most people never consider. As the newly announced assistant athletic director for applied health and performance science for Penn State Athletics department, Josh Nelson knows the power and importance of science in sport first-hand. Hailing from Independence, Va., Nelson has had a long journey within the field of health and sport sciences in preparation for this role. 

After more than 40 years of service to WVU and CPASS, Dean Dana Brooks retired on June 30, 2019. A tireless advocate for diversity and for his students, Brooks leaves behind a legacy of innovative leadership and passion for his field — sports education.

Dana Brooks knew he wanted a career teaching and inspiring others even as a youth growing up in Hagerstown, MD. He was a consummate team player. And he has the trophies and awards to prove it, stacked high on his shelves. He was never focused on the scoring or winning, but on supporting his team. “I was a passer. I defended. The team scored for you. I’m all about the team,” Brooks says.

In this feature, read about student research learning opportunities, applied sport science technology and a team battling chronic disease through physical activity. Kelsey Kinnamon and Neel Rao worked with Dr. Peter Giacobbi on a lifestyle app enhancing users’ experience of pregnancy. The Human Performance Innovation center on campus provides direct experience for students while providing athlete monitoring for WVU sports teams. A partnership with WVU Extension Service, WVU School of Public Health, WV Prevention Research Center and CPASS, funded by a CDC grant, is creating chances for rural communities through health food, physical activity and education. 

CPASS faculty members Jack Watson, Gonzalo Bravo and Peter Giacobbi, along with Cheyenne Luzynski, faculty member in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, have received an award grant through the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana as part of the U.S. State Department’s Sport Diplomacy initiative. Using a community-based approach, anchored by the globally popular sport of soccer, the team hopes to literally kick-start social change in rural areas and expand women’s empowerment. The group plans to use this sport to increase leadership skills, diplomacy and confidence among the participants, something that could, given time and effort, have a ripple effect across whole communities. It won’t be easy. But it will be worth it, Watson believes.

“The program is designed to use the most popular international sport, soccer, to develop person-to-person diplomacy, while promoting social change,” says Watson, principal investigator.

CPASS strongly believes in serving our community, our WVU family, our state and beyond. The research and partnerships described below illustrate the depth and commitment of CPASS faculty, staff, students and researchers.

This program offers weekly developmentally appropriate physical activity programming to school-aged children with disabilities, and also provides hands-on experience for WVU physical education and kinesiology and athletic coaching education majors.

President Donald Trump announced in June that 81-year-old basketball legend and WVU alum Jerry West will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“The Great Jerry West will be receiving our nation’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his outstanding career, both on and off the court,” Trump tweeted.

The WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences has inducted four graduates into its 2018 Hall of Fame and named its Outstanding Alumnus and Distinguished Service Award recipients on October 19, at the Erickson Alumni Center. The 2018 Hall of Fame inductees include Tracy Schoenadel, David Taylor, Deborah Thorpe and Richard Tucci. The College honored David Dzewaltowski with the Outstanding Alumnus and Andrew Hawkins with the Distinguished Service Awards.

Induction into the WVU CPASS Hall of Fame honors meritorious service in an academic discipline, coaching profession, athletic administration, or athletic training and highlights the accomplishments of the College’s most distinguished alumni.

CPASS donors contributed $19,203 in gifts during Day of Giving 2018, doubling the 2017 total, while helping to enhance student academic experiences and advance wellness and physical activity in West Virginia. Join other alumni on November 13, 2019, to help us increase gift totals and program support to increase the amount raised by another $10,000.

The Greatest Needs Fund focuses on the College’s most critical areas, including student travel to conferences, sponsoring special programs and lectures for students and providing upgrades in technology. The next Day of Giving will be held November 13, 2019.