Latest News

For Zenzi Huysmans, her education is much more than attending class and completing internships. 

Huysmans, who was born in the Kingdom of eSwatini in southern Africa, earned a dual degree in psychology and biological anthropology from Duke University.

Even though Kyle Wilson is one of the most well-known athletic trainers in the country, his initial journey into the industry was not smooth sailing. 

Wilson, BS ’82, Secondary Education with an emphasis in athletic training, WVU, M.A.Ed ’84, minor in psychology, Nicholls State (Louisiana), received his share of rejection letters.

In the fall, CPASS will add a new faculty member to the Physical Education Teacher Education program.

Jeremy Yeats will join West Virginia University after a six-year stint as an assistant professor and two years as the graduate coordinator of the Coaching master’s program at Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado.

Minor League Baseball prioritizes the ballpark experience.

Enhancing the ballpark experience is in WVU graduate Vince Marcucci’s job description. Marcucci serves as director of corporate and community affairs for the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.

For Melinda Grant, everything she does is a labor of love.

Grant, who graduated from WVU CPASS twice, first with a B.S. in Physical Education Teacher Education in 1976 and then a master’s in PETE in 1978, found that one way she could give back to CPASS was to donate her time and effort.

When JT Mellendick was pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Coaching Education, he couldn’t imagine being far from the field.

“During undergrad, I interned with the [WVU] baseball staff at Pro Performance in Morgantown,” Mellendick said. “During that internship, I worked with several high school athletes that went on to play Division I baseball and that really prepared me for working with baseball student-athletes.”

On any given Washington Husky game day, John Terry is at the stadium.

He parks his vehicle in the lot before the fans arrive and leaves hours after the parking lots clear and the fanbase goes home.

Black, green and gold: the colors Keith Ricci grew up wearing.

Ricci, who was raised 90 minutes from TD Garden, Boston, knew from a young age that he wanted to surround himself with Boston sports. When he graduated from WVU CPASS in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, he set out to begin his career in the industry.

For Nolan Harvath, being on the field and surrounded by sports was the ideal life. He grew up playing soccer and decided that he wanted to prepare for the college recruitment process.

Brian VanDongen believes in improving sports for all age groups, while enhancing youth athletic development in an age-appropriate manner. VanDongen featured the recreation professional’s critical role in play for children at his presentation during the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association March 2018 conference.

Thanks to everyone who came out to my talk on the recreation professional's role in play for children. Hope you are able to use the information in your communities! #NJRPA18 cc: @USPlayCoalition @NJRPA pic.twitter.com/G9597tyF5i

William Way, Sport and Exercise Psychology doctoral student, participated in the CPASS 2018 Student Research Day. Way won first place in the Graduate Ethics category. For most students, research can sound intimidating, but Way has a view on research that many admire.

During the event held in April, students from both graduate and undergraduate programs exhibited research for faculty review. Even though Way was presenting his own research, being a WVU doctoral student has given him the opportunity to teach a few undergraduate courses.

The College of Physical Activates and Sport Sciences hosted 2018 Student Research Day, providing a forum for students to present their research topics and receive direct feedback from faculty.

The event, held April 27, CPASS building main lobby, featured the work of both undergraduate and graduate students. “The 6th annual CPASS Research Day was a huge success, with 35 student posters presented during the event. These posters represented a broad range of projects and took the form of both research and applied topics,” said Jack Watson, professor and chair, Department of Sport Sciences. 

Killeen Schlegel, program assistant, CPASS Office of Student Success, is one of four WVU academic advisers honored with the Nicholas Evans Award for Excellence in Advising. This annual award, established by the Office of the Provost, is given in honor of Dr. Nicholas Evans, a lifelong proponent of the importance of undergraduate advising at WVU. Each year two faculty and two staff are recognized for their work advising and mentoring students. 

Schlegel was nominated by 10 co-workers, supervisors and students. Sean Bulger, supervisor for the CPASS Office of Student Success, wrote, “Students characterize Killeen as well-informed, organized, personable, proactive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The faculty say that she is highly sought out by students based on the reputation for excellence that she has established.” A student wrote, “I can be a difficult student sometimes, but Killeen never gives up or loses spirit.  She has also been a crucial piece of the puzzle to getting me on the correct track to graduation.”

Dana Voelker, Sport and Exercise Psychology assistant professor, joins the ranks of six West Virginia University faculty members who were selected for the 2018 Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, which honors exceptional professors who go above and beyond to inspire their students.

In addition to Voelker, this year’s honorees include: Malayna Bernstein, director, Learning Sciences Programs; Edward Flagg, assistant professor, Physics and Astronomy; Todd Hamrick, teaching associate professor, Fundamentals of Engineering; David Martinelli, professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Carrie Rishel, professor and director, Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health Training Program. 

David Keiling has excelled in his career as a physical education health teacher in Frederick County (Md.) Public Schools. Keiling earned two degrees from WVU CPASS, his physical education teacher education undergraduate degree in 2009 and masters in physical education in 2015. He credits his WVU education as playing a critical role in helping him achieve numerous leadership roles to date. 

Keiling caught up recently with CPASS Professor Sean Bulger to share his good news. “I can honestly say I would not be writing this email about all the great things that have come my way if you and the rest of my professors had not instilled in me the work ethic, knowledge and confidence that I use every day in my career. Thank you for making me the professional physical educator I am today,” Keiling wrote.