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A dual M.S. in sport management and master’s in business administration degree at the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences has provided a solid foundation for Adrian Dowell's career path. Dowell serves as the vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a position he has held since December 2021.

In this role, Dowell oversees Omaha Athletics, a Division I athletics program in the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conferences. He also serves on the Chancellor’s Cabinet which includes additional leadership roles on campus. Currently, a typical day includes six or so meetings with staff, coaches, student-athletes, campus peers and external constituents and usually a game, according to Dowell.

Courtney Hudnall was honored this spring with the Greenbrier County Teacher of the Year Award. Hudnall, Physical Education Teacher Education M.S. graduate (May 2021), is a physical education teacher at Ronceverte Elementary School in Greenbrier County.

“I chose teaching because I wanted to do something that would have an impact on others while also doing the things I love. I love athletics. I also had an amazing PE teacher in elementary school who, to this day, is one of my role models,” Hudnall said. “So, when choosing a career, teaching PE seemed like a no-brainer. It has been so rewarding and worthwhile.”

A graduate assistantship position with the West Virginia University Athletics Department propelled Ray Booker, from rural Amelia County, Va., to transition as a student to launching his professional career in the sports field. Booker, WVU Sport Management M.S. graduate (2021), serves as the stadium and game operations coordinator for the College Football Playoff postseason event that determines college football’s national championship.

Booker says he was determined to make his dreams come true, even if it meant making sacrifices. He never imagined that one day he would have the opportunity to work for the College Football Playoffs. A typical work-day for Booker involves strategic planning and preparation for the annual CFP Championship game. His tasks include preparing manuals that effectively communicate the CFP policies to all participants, coordinating game operations and addressing potential risk management issues.

The West Virginia Black Bears have announced Leighann Sainato, M.S. in Sport Management (2019), as their general manager. As the second general manager in Black Bears history, Sainato oversees a broad range of responsibilities, from budgeting and team travel arrangements to sales and marketing.

With an extensive range of duties, Sainato has learned to strategically schedule her work time. “Every day is about completing specific tasks. I map out my agenda down to the hour because I have multiple responsibilities. I’m a very hands-on GM. I directly oversee our public relations efforts, from marketing to writing press releases and creating graphics,” she said.

An introductory soccer program has provided real life training for 10 College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences coaching and performance sciences students. Raymond Kryzak, director, Mountaineer United Soccer Club, organized and led sessions for the Fundamentals soccer program, an eight-week introductory soccer clinic designed for three- and four-year-old children.

“Last year, we officially partnered with the Fundamentals program and plan to make the same connection in the spring of 2022. CPASS did their part by arranging the use of the facility to host the first coaching and training class in the Morgantown area,” Kryzak said.

Mike Fox is one of seven Mountaineer student-athletes who was inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame last fall. Fox earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in 1990.

The Akron, Ohio, native came to Morgantown skinny and unsure of himself. Five years later, he left as one of the most coveted interior defensive linemen in the country. He built himself into the player he became the old-fashioned way – by working hard and eating a lot.

Four sport and exercise psychology alumni continue to make a significant impact within the American Psychological Association Division 47, Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. Megan Byrd, Brandonn Harris, Jamie Shapiro and Amanda J. Visek are adding their vision to the national organization through research, teaching and service. 

In their new leadership roles, they hope to increase student involvement, expand diversity, equity and inclusion, collaboration efforts, focus on ethical practices and enhance mentoring opportunities. Below they reflect on their experiences as graduate students in the College and offer their support and guidance for current SEP majors.

The WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences honored four graduates and named its Outstanding Alumnus and Distinguished Service award recipients during its 2020 Hall of Fame Ceremony, October 16 via a virtual ceremony on Zoom. The 2020 Hall of Fame inductees are Christopher D. Lantz, Gary J. Quinn, James L. Taylor and Keli M. Zinn. The College honored P. Kevin Elko with the Outstanding Alumnus and Dallas D. Branch, Jr. with the Distinguished Service Awards. Visit the CPASS Hall of Fame website to view full bios for this 32nd class of CPASS Hall of Fame inductees.  

Notable past CPASS inductees include Linda Carson, Judith Hayes, Chuck Howley, Rodney C. “Hot Rod” Hundley, Rodney K. Thorn, Alfred F. Ware, Robert L. DeProspero, Fred Schaus, George J. Esper, General Earl E. Anderson, Jerry West and Robert Sam Huff, all members of the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. 

The National Athletic Trainers Association Intercollegiate Council has honored a College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate with the 2020 NATA Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine Head Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. Mike Matheny (B.S. PE, concentration in Athletic Training, Magna Cum Laude 1982) received the award for exceptional performance as a head athletic trainer in the Div. III category. Award recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, athletic training associations and promotion of the profession.

Matheny, who serves as clinical professor and head athletic trainer, department of exercise science and athletic training at Ithaca College, spends part of his day with classroom teaching in the athletic training education program, serving as a preceptor for students in their clinical experience.

The WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will honor four graduates and name its Legacy Award recipient during its 2021 Hall of Fame Ceremony, Oct. 15 via a virtual ceremony on Zoom. The 2021 Hall of Fame inductees are Herbert K. Amato, Dana D. Brooks, Joseph A. Martin and Catherine “Cathy” E. Parson. The College will honor Daniel F. Mahony with the Legacy Award. Visit the CPASS Hall of Fame website to view full bios for this 33rd class of CPASS Hall of Fame inductees. The Zoom event will open at 5:30 p.m. with the virtual reception and program beginning at 6 p.m. Use the following zoom link to join: https://wvu.zoom.us/j/94126424981 

Notable past CPASS inductees include Linda Carson, Judith Hayes, Chuck Howley, Rodney C. “Hot Rod” Hundley, Rodney K. Thorn, Alfred F. Ware, Robert L. DeProspero, Fred Schaus, George J. Esper, General Earl E. Anderson, Jerry West and Robert Sam Huff, all members of the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. 

James L. Taylor passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Jim, or Coach Taylor, as he was affectionately known, was born in Charles Town, WV on February 26, 1934. Among his numerous honors and achievements, Taylor was inducted into the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2020.

He attended Eagle Avenue Elementary School in Charles Town and graduated from Page-Jackson High School in 1951. After graduating high school, Taylor enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Korean War from 1951-1955. After serving in the US Navy, Taylor enrolled at Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) and graduated in 1955 with BS and AB degrees and a Corrective Therapist Certification. He attended graduate school at West Virginia University and earned a Master of Science Degree in 1965.

Nieko Torres chose the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences because he wanted to work with athletes. He researched the CPASS coaching and performance science program through the suggestion of an advisor. “It quickly became clear that CPASS had plenty of options for me to explore which avenue of athletics I wanted to pursue. I am extremely grateful for it,” Torres said.

Assistant Professor Guy Hornsby says that it was evident early on that Torres was serious about pursuing a career in strength and conditioning. “Nieko was interning at Morgantown High School, lifting/spending time with the WVU weightlifting club while being an exemplary student. I am grateful he was mentored by such a great staff at Mississippi State, the same staff that has mentored other students of ours, Billy Cedar, Matt Anti and Lauren White,” Hornsby said.

Gregory Warren credits his experiences at the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in paving the pathway to his new role as director of strength and conditioning at Bluefield State College, Bluefield, W.Va.

The master of science, coaching and sport education (2021) graduate says the CPASS connection served a critical role in initiating his career. “Although it was only for two years, the coaching experience I gained as a graduate assistant and head strength coach at University High School in Morgantown gave me the confidence to realize my abilities as a coach in this field,” Warren said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down gyms and cancelled in-person fitness classes, many individuals were left to wonder how they could maintain their fitness routines from the comfort of home.

CEHS alumna Sydney Cummings’ YouTube channel, which consists of library of daily home workouts for individuals of all skill levels, filled the personal fitness void left by the pandemic. And as the demand for home workouts grew, so did Cummings’ YouTube audience. In March 2021, Cummings’ subscriber count reached 1 million.

Myles Washington combined his passion in sports with the mental aspects of competition to earn a B.S. degree in sport and exercise psychology (May 2021).

In addition to studying sports, Washington gained hands on knowledge as a basketball manager for the WVU Men’s team, from his freshman through senior years at CPASS. “Once I became involved with the team, I knew I wanted to go into basketball professionally, working for the NBA,” he said.