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Drs. Lynne and Andy Ostrow understand the value of education. As West Virginia University faculty members, the duo each spent 35 years helping students achieve their dreams at the University. Now, they are taking that passion for education one step further by providing $50,000 for scholarships at WVU.

The Ostrow International Achievement Award ($25,000) will provide financial support to enhance study abroad and international travel experiences for undergraduate students in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CPASS). Additionally, the funds may be used to support students’ participation in faculty-led overseas travel.

A fourth year sport and exercise psychology doctoral student, Stefanee Van Horn, has received an NCAA graduate student grant to support her research: “An Examination of Coach Provided Social Support to Injured Athletes.” Van Horn is the second CPASS student in two years to achieve the NCAA award. Megan Byrd was the first.

Van Horn explains why the award is important to her. “Receiving a grant as a graduate student feels fantastic. It has helped me continue to see the value in the research I am engaging in and helps me demonstrate my abilities as a researcher.

CPASS will host the film, "The Man Behind the Suit," a new documentary featuring Robert DeProspero and his life as a retired Secret Service agent who was head of security during the Reagan administration. The event, scheduled on Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m. in CPASS room G-06, celebrates DeProspero’s career, family life and community service. DeProspero is a Morgantown native, CPASS Hall of Fame and WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni member. Following the film presentation, audience members will be invited to participate in a Q&A session.

A WVU physical education teacher education graduate is putting a new spin on physical activity in southern West Virginia. Chris Roth, Eastern Greenbrier Middle School physical education teacher and 2016 West Virginia Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, will visit campus on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11 a.m., CPASS room G08. His presentation is entitled Re-imaging Middle School Physical Education in Greenbrier County, WV. The event is free and open to the public.

Roth, along with his Greenbrier County colleagues, introduced mountain biking, archery, disc golf and slack lining into middle school physical education. These curricular changes occurred in partnership with WVU CPASS faculty and were funded by a Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant, through the U.S. Department of Education.

Annie Machamer, PETE master’s grad and current EdD student, earned the Dance Educator of the Year award at the West Virginia Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference, October 20-21.

Machamer is thankful for the experiences she received from the WVAHPERD organization. “The conference as a whole allowed me to be exposed to a wide variety of opportunities, learning from other educational leaders and networking within my profession,” Machamer explained.

A number of WVU Physical Education Teacher Education students and faculty attended the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference on October 20-21. This is the first of a series of stories celebrating their success at the conference.

Obi Atkinson, PETE undergraduate student, won the Bea N. Orr Student Award, presented to outstanding students in the field.

Armand Trotto, athletic coaching education graduate, has earned a sports performance coaching position with Parisi Speed School, at Healthquest in Flemington, NJ. Trotto trains athletes of all ages and sports.

“At Parisi we run classes for groups of athletes ages 7-11 in our Jump Start program. We have classes for our athletes, ages 12-14, in our Total Performance 1. Lastly, we have classes for our athletes who are ages 15 and up called Total Performance 2,” said Trotto. 

Katheleen Amaefule, visiting scholar in sport management and administration from Nigeria, is spending the fall semester at West Virginia University. Amaefule is one of eight visiting scholars on campus, hosted by the West Virginia Council of International Programs. WVCIP, a professional development program, fosters training and work related opportunities with cross-cultural and multidisciplinary dimension.

Amaefule holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in sports science from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a master’s degree in sport management from Ahmadu Bello University. Amaefule is a member of various council and associations.

Raymond Prior will share his research with students and faculty on Thursday October 13, 8 to 10 a.m. in CPASS room 260.

“I was a college student-athlete. I often wondered why certain athletes and people weren't as good as they should be. Despite having all the physical and intellectual ability needed to be successful, many of them were inconsistent at best and they all struggled to perform under pressure,” Prior said.

Terry Jackson, SEP graduate, likes to talk about how running helped change his life.

“After I earned my undergrad degree, I ended up putting a lot into perspective.I felt lousy, physically and mentally; I just needed a change. At the time I didn't have a job lined up so I started running around the block.A half mile became a mile, then I ended up running a 5K and finally a marathon,” he said.

Guy Hornsby, teaching assistant professor, Athletic Coaching Education, serves as the volunteer head coach for West Virginia Weightlifting, a USA Weightlifting registered club and WVU Sport Club. Weightlifting is contested both nationally and internationally. Established competitions include the Pan American Championships and World Championships along with the Summer Olympic Games program.

West Virginia Weightlifting saw two WVU students, Khlaed Almenaies (56kg) and Aaron Snoberger (77kg) competing at the 2016 National University Championships in New Orleans, LA, this September.

Recent CPASS graduate Zachery Vaji embodies the meaning of determination as a Mountaineer by taking the initiative to make his goals a reality.

Vaji, from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, enrolled at WVU in 2012 and by August, 2015 he had earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management. He continued his education and graduated with a master’s degree in sport management in August 2016.

Pursuing his dreams while making an impact. That’s what student, Andre Kowisky has been doing since graduating with a master’s degree from WVU. Kowisky transitioned from CPASS to growing his role as a coach for the Morgantown United Soccer Club in Morgantown, WV.

Kowisky received his bachelor’s degree in physical activities and sport science from Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) located in his hometown of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He then pursued his education in the United States, graduating from CPASS this May with an MS in athletic coaching/performance coaching.

A newly established planned gift from Dr. John and Kacey Gay will create an endowment in support of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Dr. John and Kacey Gay Endowment will support future research and teaching initiatives in the college.

The college will recognize the Gays’ gift in naming the CPASS Research Wall in the couple’s honor. Their gift amount, estimated to be in excess of $2 million, would become the second largest gift currently received by the college. 

A newly created endowment in support of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will focus on community-engaged research to advance the health, wellness and physical activity of West Virginia’s adult population. 

The inaugural Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor was awarded to Sam Zizzi, professor, CPASS Sport and Exercise Psychology program, to support research and health promotion initiatives aimed at improving the health of West Virginians.