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The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences is teaming up with Adventure WV and the School of Public Health for a faculty led study abroad trip to South Africa.

During summer 2016 study abroad, students will trek across two thousand miles of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho lands. Students will explore, hike, climb, bike and lead service projects to support local initiatives while learning about the social, psychological and cultural aspects of physical activity and health in these diverse, developing nations. From the oldest game reserve in Africa to the top of the second highest waterfall in the world and from the Sani Cave paintings to the Otter Trail, Table Mountain and Robben Island, travelers will experience   an in-depth exploration of the sites, sports, health issues, cultures, wildernesses and histories of Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa.

First year CPASS students have the unique advantage of being part of a living-learning environment. The majority of these students live in or near Bennett Tower and are enrolled in CPASS-only sections of first-year seminar.

Students have the option of enrolling in a problem-based learning, special topics course, working on projects related to health, physical activity and wellness. In addition, various events are being organized outside the classroom throughout the year.

McDowell CHOICES (Coordinated Health Opportunities Involving Communities, Environments and Schools) continues to support local schools in the southern region of the state. The project aims to increase the health and quality of life for students in McDowell County through a  USDA grant. The project, led by faculty members from CPASS and the WVU Health Sciences Center, focuses on advancing student achievement of the nationally recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

“The CHOICES project has been one of the best physical activity programs we’ve had in McDowell County Schools. It has provided a variety of high interest activity programs and professional development for teachers, many of which will be sustainable for years to come,” explained Carolyn H. Falin, assistant superintendent of K-12 curriculum and instruction.

CPASS grad Zachary Hillis recently shared his thoughts and insight on how College faculty positively impacted his transition from undergraduate to graduate school, as well as his shift into the WVU College of Business and Economics:

Sport management and related CPASS faculty members have provided me with the experiences and knowledge necessary to make the move from sport-related management into business management. Each of my professors throughout my undergraduate career constantly reminded me to always stay involved in internship-type experiences and volunteer opportunities to continuously build my resume and list of connections.

The future of the WVU’s hockey team is looking bright. Last month, A.J. Sturges was named head coach of the team. He is a second year doctoral student in the sport and exercise psychology program at CPASS.

Prior to arriving at WVU, Sturges earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University. He served as a head coach of a youth hockey team for one season while completing his master’s degree. Sturges is working to complete a second master’s degree at WVU in counseling psychology, as well as a Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology.

David Carr has learned the art of perseverance. After 10 years and numerous hardships, he has landed his dream job as a college football coach.

His journey started when he was coaching at Shepard University which required a master’s degree to teach. While earning his online sport management master’s degree in 2007, Carr and his family were going through a difficult time. His wife was fighting cancer which she ultimately survived.

The Best of Morgantown 2016 awards competition aligns Morgantown businesses, personalities and organizations in a friendly battle. Traditionally, folks cast their votes for their favorite places to eat, shop, play and more. Now, for the first time in this annual rivalry, you can cast your vote for Best Dean.,

Wayne Sasso, senior Sport and Exercise Psychology student, was awarded the title of Volunteer of the Month after devoting time to the Mental Health of America, Monongalia County. Sasso spent two-days-a-week calling for donations, filing and helping clients create resumes and set up email accounts. Most importantly, he leant a listening ear to those who needed it.

“I like being able to sit and talk with people from different walks of life. I really enjoy their stories,” said Sasso.

Alyson Snyder is an undergrad PETE major, minoring in music performance. She has served active duty in the military for four and a half years.

Snyder serves in the WV Army National Guard with the 249th Army Band and was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Upon her promotion, her unit put her in charge of physical training. Snyder began competing in Army ten mile races three years ago to stay in shape and challenge herself.

Some Morgantown area families and WVU students face tough times throughout the year and especially during the holidays and cold weather. This holiday season, the CPASS Dean’s Advisory Board is coordinating a food drive to help fill the shelves of surrounding food banks. Please help by donating non-perishable food items from Monday, Nov. 16 through December 11. Bins are placed throughout the CPASS building. For more information, contact Taylor Opperhauser,  taopperhauser@mix.wvu.edu.

Please consider donating the following non-perishable items for the drive: canned beans, rice, tuna, chicken, sardines, grains, pasta, tomato paste or personal care items.

CPASS student Brady Nolan of Reader and Joy Wang of Charleston were announced as this year’s honorees during halftime of the WVU vs. Texas Tech football game on Nov. 7 at Milan Puskar Stadium. The awards are given each year as part of WVU’s Mountaineer Week festivities.

“I applied to be Mr. Mountaineer because I have respect for the award which is given to a male student who shows outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. I have represented the University in several ways throughout my undergraduate career and I thought my involvement and academic success would make me a good candidate for the award,” Nolan explained.

Numerous CPASS graduates and one doctoral student presented at the SHAPE PETE Conference in Atlanta at the end of October, including CPASS faculty Eloise Elliott, James Hannon and Stephen Harvey.

Tyler Goad, current doctoral student, discussed PETEtechnology applications. Recent doctoral program grads, Luciana Braga and Kacey DiGiacinto, presented while graduates Rachel Gurvitch, Georgia State University, Beth Hersman Khalaf, Wright State University, Tony Pritchard, Georgia Southern, and Scott Townsend and Derek   Mohr, Appalachian State University, also presented. 

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, in partnership with theDivision of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Brazilian Student Association at WVU, celebrated the spirit of sport, friendship and inclusiveness during Diversity Week 2015. The group hosted Diversity Cup 2015, a coed soccer tournament, at the student recreational fields outside the CPASS building.

Diversity Cup 2015 was won by Danone FC who defeated 6-0 Mercadinho Cidade Jardim in the final game of the 15 team double-elimination tournament. The entire event stretched across two weekends – September 27 and October 4. Teams were required to have both genders represented on the field at all times in a 5-on-5, no goalie style of play which led to incredible scoring and spectacular finishes.

Ryan Gordy, MS in PETE 2010-2012 cohort, works as a wellness instructor at Canton High School and is the Men’s Varsity Basketball Coach at Canton High School, Canton, MA. He teaches both physical education and health classes 9-12. He’s taught for seven years and coached high school basketball for 10 years, and served as the varsity coach at CHS for five years.

According to Gordy, Massachusetts has an extensive teacher certification program requiring multiple years of service, professional development, standardized testing, furthered education and positive evaluations. The state uses a tiered system consisting of three levels. Certification begins with a preliminary license, followed by an initial license and eventually ending at a professional license.