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 A West Virginia University master’s cohort has created a fundraising effort to benefit the National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect (EndCAN). The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences sport management on line master’s students worked together to identify the non-profit recipient of the funds, decide on a product and generate a marketing plan.

“One member of our class, Morgan Montgomery, was instrumental in securing our start-up funds. She is in Colorado, near the charity’s headquarters, and contacted them, pitched our idea and gained their support. We knew we had a financial obstacle to overcome, so Morgan was successful in getting the organization to provide us with $500 to launch the product,” said Kevin Spano, team CEO. 

An on-line master of science program blends industry best practices and practical skills. A new major offers internships for real hands-on experience in the field, preparing graduates to lead physical activity programs in community, campus, commercial and resort settings. An innovative collaboration provides an opportunity to use applied sport science within a combination of service and research to help coaches and athletes better understand the training process.

BestColleges.com has recently named the CPASS Online Master’s in Sport Management program one of the top 50 best in the nation for 2018. The ranking highlights accredited, not-for-profit institutions who have developed exceptional academic online programs for students looking to advance their knowledge, skills and career in sports management. “The online Master’s in Sport Management program ranking highlights schools that have established quality academic curriculums while remaining accessible, affordable and flexible for today’s students,” said Jack Watson, professor and CPASS associate dean. “Earning a position on the ranking demonstrates the determination of WVU to provide an exceptional online program that values academic excellence and student outcomes.”

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Katie Sick loves her job as a physical education teacher and she wants to be the best teacher she can be. That’s why she is studying for a master’s degree in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) from WVU Online.

The program is ideal for teachers with demanding schedules. It is a blended, or hybrid, program, which means the students study mostly online, but come to the WVU campus in the summer for two weeks to take intensive classes. 

Bobby Waugh, elementary physical education teacher and unified bocce coach, spent time on Capitol Hill this month speaking to members of Congress and advocating for the Special Olympics and unified sports.

Waugh, PETE master’s graduate, strives to improve the lives of students with special needs and create partnerships for athletes through the power of inclusion. Unified bocce pairs students with and without special needs, allowing students to earn a high school letter and form bonds practicing and competing together.

CPASS is offering online and on campus SEP courses this summer. Sign   up for Psychological Perspectives in Sport (SEP 272), Sport in American Society (SEP 271), or African-Americans in Sport (SEP 373). On campus courses run three weeks; online courses are six weeks in length. These are General Education Classes and are offered to all students. SEP 271 and SEP 272 are 3-credit courses which fulfill pre-major requirements. SEP 272 fulfills GECs 4 and 6; SEP 271 fulfills GECs 4 and 7 and SEP 373 fulfills GECs 4 and 7. Register today for classes through your STAR account. For more info, contact:  damien.clement@mail.wvu.edu. Register on line via http://summer.wvu.edu/.

SEP 272 Psychological Perspectives in Sport

Pat Sandora has worked 23 years in strength and conditioning dating back to his classes and internship at West Virginia University, starting in 1993. He spent 18 years in professional baseball including positions with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox minor league teams before becoming the Head Major League strength coach of the Boston Red Sox in 2012. 

Baseball was always Sandora’s love; he played throughout high school. When he was ready to launch his career, he searched for positions and saw that teams were looking for minor league strength coaches. 

Welcome Byron Towner, WVU alum and West Virginia native, who serves as a clinical instructor in Coaching and Teaching Studies specializing in instructive content knowledge. After earning his Master of Science degree in physical education teacher education from WVU in 2007, Towner worked as a physical education teacher and basketball and football coach in Horry County, South Carolina for the last eight years.

Excited to return to his alma mater, Towner will lead current PETE students as they learn to properly and effectively teach sport skills. He hopes to bridge the gap between him and his students by incorporating his past experiences into the curriculum. His goal is to successfully teach his students while working toward his doctorate degree.