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In his first year as a head coach, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus Dan Stratford used what he learned as a student and assistant coach to lead his team to the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Championship. 

Stratford, who first earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education Teacher Education in June 2009 and then a master’s in July 2015, both from CPASS, says consistent messaging kept the players at the University of Charleston focused. 

Donnie Platt, ACE master’s graduate, serves as director of operations for USA Baseball 15U national team. “My role consists of running one of the largest baseball events in the country, the National Team Championships,” said Platt.

According to Platt, he oversees staffing for more than 200 employees, meals, travel, scheduling, awards, media and creating a Scout Task Force, among other operational responsibilities. Read more about Donnie and USA Baseball in the following CPASS Q&A series.

Omur Dugan, from Turkey, is a visiting scholar at CPASS, working with Gonzalo Bravo, associate professor in sport management. Her research areas include ethical and gender issues in sport management, with a focus in career development and barriers for women in sports. Dugan focused on gender issues in senior management in Turkish sport organizations during her doctorate degree. 

While at WVU, Dugan will develop the project "Glass Ceiling Syndrome and Career Development of Women in NCAA" with Bravo. “I've known Dr. Bravo from his international publications and the international sport management network we have. I will also collaborate in a project with one of Dr. Bravo's graduate students on a similar topic.  

A newly established endowment will support the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Ted Slahetka Athletic Training Scholarship will provide scholarships for qualified students in the college.

The endowment will offer aid for undergraduate students majoring in Athletic Training at WVU CPASS. The gift amount is $25,000. Walter and Cynthia Slahetka established the scholarship in honor of their son, Ted, a third-year WVU Athletic Training student.

Sean Bulger, professor, Physical Education Teacher Education, was quoted in a U.S. News and World Report story exploring online degree program residencies. Bulger explains arrangements in the online master's programs in sport management and physical education teaching residencies. Read more from Bulger in the article link. 

At the online master's programs in West Virginia University's College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Bulger says, students pay for transportation and typically on-campus housing, on top of tuition and fees. Experts suggest that prospective students look into whether their financial aid will help cover those expenses.

Billy Cedar, a student in the college’s first year on campus master’s program and successful strength and conditioning graduate assistant in a Morgantown area high school, was awarded a student travel grant from the Eastern Tennessee State University’s Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education for their upcoming Coaches College December 1-2, 2017 held at ETSU. Read more about Billy in the following Q&A series.

The opportunity to serve as a graduate assistant is what initially drew me to WVU and CPASS. The blend of practical experience and classroom education made CPASS an easy decision when choosing my graduate education. My favorite aspect of the Athletic Coaching Education master’s program is the diversity of the classes we take. The program offers a well-rounded curriculum that is raising the standard for what quality coaching can be.

The West Virginia University campus celebrated the Third Annual Diversity Cup Five vs. Five Coed Soccer Tournament on October 7, hosted by the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and in partnership with WVU Campus Recreation and the WVU Sport Management Club. 

The popular event embraced the spirit of sport, friendship and inclusiveness as part of Diversity Week 2017. This year’s winning team is Club WV, coached by Brandon Wayda, WVU Engineering major.

Several WVU CPASS faculty and students received awards at the 2017 WVHAPERD Conference in Shepherdstown, WV on October 26.

Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor, received the first Dana Brooks Mentor Award. As the recipient, Elliott demonstrated excellence while serving as a mentor to health and physical activity professionals, students and others in fields that promote healthy lifestyles.

A CPASS graduate will serve as the founding director of the West Virginia Mountain Biking League. The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) has named Cassie Smith to lead their efforts in the mountain state.  

Smith explains the excitement that comes with the NICA designation. “West Virginia, as one of the newest states accepted into the NICA family, will benefit from the effort. As league director, I’m honored to lead the effort of getting more kids on bikes,” said Smith.

West Virginia University has been ranked among the top 1.5 percent of the universities in the world by the Center for World University Rankings, the largest academic ranking of its kind. 

“This ranking shows that West Virginia University is known around the world as a leader in teaching and research,” said  William Brustein, vice president for  global strategy and international affairs. “Thanks to the great achievements of our students, faculty, staff and alumni we are being recognized as a leading global university.” 

West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media has developed the only known undergraduate major in the country to focus on sports and adventure media.

With its big-time college sports programs and beautiful natural setting, the Mountain State is a mecca for sports and adventure enthusiasts, and also the perfect setting for the new major designed to prepare students for careers in sports journalism and adventure media communications.

The  West Virginia University  College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will induct five graduates into its 2017 Hall of Fame and name its Outstanding Alumnus on Friday, October 20, at the  Erickson Alumni Center beginning with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and formal induction ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

The College will honor Jean Irion with the Outstanding Alumna award. The 2017 Hall of Fame inductees include Cynthia “Sam” Booth, David “DC” Colt, John Gay, Daniel F. Mahony and Olana “Tick” Hedrick-Sheaffer. 

Sport and Exercise Psychology student Abby Reid is using her minor in strength and conditioning and internships at Division 1 universities to pave the route of her career path.

This past summer, Reid interned for the strength staff of Georgetown University’s football team. “It was my first time working with football and the strength staff let me have a lot of coaching time with the guys. That really helped me decide that I would want to pursue a possible career as a football strength coach in the future,” explained Reid.

A West Virginia University professor’s partnership with a high school robotics team has led to the development of a robot that will enable kids with special needs to kick a soccer ball.

Andrea Taliaferro, associate professor, directs the College of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesFriday Morning Adapted Physical Education Program, a collaborative partnership between WVU and Monongalia County Schools. The clinic provides physical education and activity programing for children with special needs. 

WVU’s Sport Management degree is a blended, or hybrid, program which means students complete the majority of the work online, and come to the WVU campus in Morgantown during a two-week period over two consecutive summers.

That worked out well for Steve, since he works full-time and puts in a lot of hours with his marketing job at Longwood. He had never taken online classes before, and was a little unsure at first.