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An ongoing research collaboration to develop teaching and research models brings a global perspective to WVU. Luis Miguel Garcia-Lopez, associate professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, is on campus until April 30 in an effort to expand his lines of research with Stephen Harvey, associate professor, CPASS physical education teacher education.

During his one-month stay, Garcia-Lopez will observe PETE classes and conduct a research presentation. His research interests focus around pedagogical models, including game centered teaching, cooperative learning, sport education and, most recently, teaching social and personal responsibility in working with disaffected youth.

West Virginia University Coaches Club will hold the first Backyard Olympics on April 23, 2017 from 1-4 p.m. in the upper courts of the Student Rec Center.

Teams of two will play several sports-based activities and earn points based on participation, single wins and series wins. Games will include volleyball, tug of war, human bowling, cornhole, hacky sack, washers and more.

Marc Cormier, SEP doctoral graduate, has joined the University of Kentucky as assistant professor to develop and coordinate a sport and exercise psychology program.

Aside from teaching and conducting research, Cormier will act as director and coordinator of the new SEP master’s program at the University of Kentucky. Cormier has been working to develop the program during the past two years.

A visiting scholar in sport and exercise psychology will spend the next two years at West Virginia University. EunJoo Ha, from South Korea, will study at WVU through December 2018 during her SEP post-doc to receive more experience and training before pursuing a career within her field.

EunJoo earned a doctorate degree in physical education with a major in sports psychology in August 2016 from Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association has named Guy Hornsby, CPASS teaching assistant professor, as a new West Virginia state director.

As part of a network of volunteer organizers, Hornsby will direct NSCA’s efforts at the state level. State directors coordinate and host the West Virginia NSCA state clinic by communicating with the WV NCSA advisory board, a diverse group of researchers and conditioning related professionals throughout the state.

Steven Ware, 28-year-old physical education teacher education student, won the 132 lb. division at the Midwestern Regionals for the National Collegiate Boxing Association in March. He has participated in several state and national tournaments, giving him the chance to challenge himself against fighters from across the United States.

During the championship, Ware fought against a skilled opponent from the US Naval Academy. “It was a great opportunity to test myself against someone of his caliber and I am very happy that I was able to successfully represent WVU Boxing,” he said.

WVU sport and exercise psychology students embarked on an international adventure during their spring break. The bi-annual spring break study abroad trip to Halmstad and Halmstad University in Sweden offered 11 sport and exercise psychology students the opportunity to attend academic sessions and interact with Swedish students studying the same subject.

However, it was the exposure to a new culture and traditions that really stuck with each student.

Zenzi Huysmans, sport and exercise psychology doctoral student, has received the American Psychological Association Division 47 Thesis award for her thesis titled ‘A preliminary exploration of the application of self-compassion within the context of sports injury.’

Huysmans is a third-year international student from Swaziland, a small country in Southern Africa.  She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and completed her masters in SEP at WVU in May 2016.

From humble beginnings as an agricultural college in 1867, West Virginia University has become a premier research institution with a focus on world-changing innovations that are making a lasting impact in the fields that matter most. During the past 150 years, WVU has been committed to educating and training future leaders, conducting groundbreaking research and performing public outreach and service.

As West Virginia University reflects on 150 years of accomplishments, join the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences on April 17, 2017, 2 p.m. in the CPASS main lobby as the college kicks off a week of celebration. The 150th Anniversary CPASS Birthday Bash will commemorate the college’s history and notable alumni along with free treats including cookies, cupcakes and festive giveaways. Special guests will include the WVU Mountaineer, local CPASS graduates and Olympic medalists.  Dean’s Advisory Board students will host an online auction fundraiser during the reception.

Dallas Branch, WVU sport management associate professor emeritus, will receive the 2017 Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award from Sport Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow (SEVT), in recognition of his contributions to the sport management and marketing fields. Branch will receive the award during the upcoming SEVT Conference in Columbia, SC on March 23, 2017.

Branch felt both honored and overwhelmed when the organization contacted him with the news. “Previous recipients of this award represent the icons and legends in our sport management and administration discipline. They are among the founding fathers and distinguished leaders in the field. To be recognized with this group as a recipient is truly an honor and also very humbling,” Branch explained.

Performance psychologist Sam Maniar, Ph.D., will visit campus on March 17, 2017 at 12 p.m., CPASS room G08, to speak about the ethical challenges to consultation in professional sports. The CPASS Russell “Bud” Bolton Center for Sport Ethics will host the event, which is free and open to the public.

Maniar, WVU Counseling Psychology doctoral graduate, has extensive experience working with teams, athletes and executives, from a wide range of sports and industries, about achieving performance goals.

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.

West Virginia University is hosting a National Eating Disorder Awareness walk for the first time in the state of West Virginia. The NEDA walk, which will help raise funds and awareness for individuals struggling with eating disorders, will kick off national eating disorder awareness week on Sunday, February 26 at the Student Recreation Center. Check in time is at 11 a.m.; the event is free and open to the public.

Audrey Gunther, walk coordinator, works with the student organization WVU Project Heal to focus on fighting the stigma on eating disorders across campus and the state of West Virginia. “Project Heal is an international non-profit organization that has similar goals with NEDA. Like NEDA, Project Heal works to destigmatize eating disorders, raise awareness and fundraise for treatment,” Gunther said.

An upcoming WVU Science on Tap presentation will feature Sam Zizzi, professor, CPASS Sport and Exercise Psychology, Wednesday, March 15, 7 p.m. at the Morgantown Brewing Company.

Zizzi will focus on The Zen of Sport Performance, featuring how mindfulness supports improved athletic performance. Zizzi has worked with athletes at many levels and will share a selection of stories over a cold brew.

The College of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Board has recently recognized Nick Davidson, sport management graduate student, as the most valuable board member for the month of January. Davidson currently serves as the programming chair for the board.

The programming committee seeks to increase cross-disciplinary communications and events within the college. As head of this committee, Davidson’s current focus is finding ways to get CPASS students involved with the college beyond the classroom.