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The WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences honored four graduates and named its Outstanding Alumnus and Distinguished Service award recipients during its 2019 Hall of Fame Ceremony, last November. The 2019 Hall of Fame inductees are Linda K. Burdette-Good, Jerry A. Koloskie, Jack J. Marucci and Barbara J. Zimmer. The College recognized Paul D. Grace with the Outstanding Alumnus and Sharon M. Sisler with the Distinguished Service awards.

In today’s job market, an internship is a foot in the door. But how do students find these opportunities during a global pandemic? Campus internships are just one way students are building the connections and experiences they need to be successful outside the classroom. From working with Big 12 teams to learning the ropes alongside facilities pros, our students will be well prepared for their next big step — lifelong careers.

West Virginia University celebrates our values each year through the WVU Values Coin program. This past year, selected staff from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences were recognized with Pay It Forward and WVU Values Coins. Pay It Forward Coins are awarded by previous CPASS WVU Values Coin recipients. Congratulations to our newest award recipients.

Patty Weston-Anderson – awarded by Stephanie Martin

As a new director of development for the West Virginia University Foundation, Will splits his time between the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and the College of Education and Human Services. He has attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where he received an associate of science degree; the United States Sports Academy, where he earned his bachelor’s in sports science; the University of Washington, where he earned a master’s in Education and, finally, the University of Iowa, where he began his doctor of education program.

It was the tumult of the pandemic that convinced Will to seek new horizons. “I came here from Iowa, where I was in a PhD program, and decided during the pandemic that it was time for me to move in another direction,” he says. “What attracted me to WVU and CPASS was the people. During the interview process, it was refreshing to encounter so many great people. I felt that it was an instant match from the beginning.”

Graduates in the college’s sport and exercise psychology program have traditionally embraced leadership roles in their careers. Three WVU CPASS sport and exercise psychology alumni are paving the way within groups that bring together psychologists and exercise and sport scientists who share a passion for research, teaching, service, diversity, education and training.

Meet Lindsey Blom, president-elect of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Brandonn Harris, incoming president of APA Division 47 and  Jamie Shapiro, current president of the American Psychological Association Division 47.

As faculty and students continue to navigate the pandemic, a grant from the WVU Office of Global Affairs will help foster a two-way cross-cultural partnership with Halmstad University in Sweden and the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. Scott Barnicle, sport and exercise psychology teaching assistant professor and program coordinator, plans to use the Virtual Exchange Award toward technology to enhance the project’s global perspectives and ability for further international collaboration.

“Our working relationship with Halmstad University in Halmstad, Sweden, places an emphasis on virtual education. Whether shared via Zoom-recorded lectures or online discussion boards, our emphasis has been on joint student learning outcomes between WVU and Halmstad University,” Barnicle said. “I hope to utilize these funds to explore new technological resources for enhanced student learning and outcomes, in addition to strengthening our partnership with Halmstad University.”

A new study will explore the experiences of international and domestic female faculty members in Physical Education Teacher Education.

CPASS has launched a study unique to the College, one that will take a deep dive into the real-world experiences of female faculty who work in the field of physical education teacher education and who hail from Japan and the US. “We decided to focus on this field because sports and exercise are the places where gender stereotypes, such as masculinity and femininity, are still pervasive, and physical education teachers have enormous power to impact children and adolescents relative to gender equity,” says Emi Tsuda, assistant professor of physical education teacher education and one of the leaders of the study.

FiT Publishing is the premier publisher in producing books, eBooks, academic journals and digital products in sport management, sport and exercise psychology, physical education, coaching education and sport and cultural studies. FiT Publishing has announced new titles written by current WVU and emeritus faculty.

FiT Publishing is showcasing four books authored by or including chapters written by CPASS faculty. 

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.

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