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Luciana Braga, assistant professor of Sport Pedagogy at California State University Chico, is establishing a research foothold in physical activity promotion among children and adolescents.  

Braga, CPASS Coaching and Teaching Studies, Ph.D. (2014), recently received the 2017 early career research grant from SHAPE America. “This is a competitive grant. The award means recognition of the potential of my scholarly work. This is my first externally funded research project as a principal investigator. I am excited to take on this new challenge. I wrote this proposal with Kevin Patton, my colleague in the PETE program at Chico State,” said Braga.  

Joe Abel, Physical Education/Sports Management, B.S. (1985), believes that a college degree helps prepare students to become better learners in business and life. Abel serves as the director of Leisure Services with the Seminole County Government, Seminole County, FL, outside the Orlando area.  

Abel credits the sports focus of his education in expanding his knowledge and understanding of a multitude of different sports, the game and comprehending how to administer sports programs and facilities.   His career experience ranges from managing athletics, pools and community centers to a department that is now made up of libraries, extension, natural lands, trails and parks. His professional experience began in his home state of West Virginia and has continued for the past 28 years in Florida.  

Ashley Cranney, sport and exercise psychology doctoral graduate, has received Association for Applied Sport Psychology funding as an extension of her dissertation work.

Cranney emphasizes the importance of the grant. “This grant will maximize participant recruitment, expedite transcription, and refine analysis. Getting this grant affirms the importance of this line of research which will be a valuable step toward future grant applications and the development of an instrument of sport overconformity,” she explained.

Jamie Shapiro, associate professor of Sport and Performance Psychology and assistant director of the Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology (MASPP) program, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, at the University of Denver has received tenure at the University.  

Shapiro earned a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from West Virginia University (2009), an M.A. in Community Counseling from WVU (2008), and an M.S. in Athletic Counseling from Springfield College (2005). She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Brown University, where she competed on the gymnastics team for four years.  

CPASS Physical Education Teacher Education students and faculty collaborated with the WVU Student Rec Center to host the 6th Annual Kids Safety and Fitness Expo, May 23 at the rec fields. The free, family-centered event featured bike safety lessons, an obstacle course, sports, games, the annual tug-of-war competition, hands-on demonstrations and health information for parents. 

More than 200 children and families from the community came out to celebrate, move and explore. CPASS, PETE and Lifetime Activities faculty and students were well represented. "The event enhances the well-being and quality of life for the community," explained Valerie Wayda, associate professor and chair, Coaching and Teaching Studies department. 

West Virginia University Lifetime Activities registration remains open for summer 2017 fitness, wellness classes and camps. Featured class sessions include Wilderness First Aid, scuba, Martial Arts and youth summer camps. The National Youth Sports Program camp, for ages 9-15, emphasizes sports, emotional and physical well-being. The WVU NYSP camp provides a summer food service program. Eligible campers will receive a snack and lunch. 

The Gold and Blue Healthy Kids Camp, for ages 5-11, includes weekly themed activities, teamwork and leadership skills, located on the downtown campus. Space is limited in each class and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the web site for a complete list of classes, times, pricing and NYSP food service program eligibility.  http://lifetimeactivities.wvu.edu/ or call 304-293-0859. WVU Lifetime Activities is managed by the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

The sport management  graduate program at West Virginia University’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences is listed as the 44th best sport management program worldwide (Top 50), and 10th in the United States, according to a global ranking and rating agency evaluating masters and MBA programs.

The CPASS sport management program has appeared in the rankings for the past four years. Eduniversal Best Masters has released results for 2017 in its list of 50 best masters in sports management. 

As vice president of the NYC Transit Authority, Cheryl Kennedy oversees the Office of System Safety for the largest transit property in North America, one that carries more than two billion passengers a year and encompasses more than 70 miles of track.

The former Mountaineer basketball player and 1982 safety management graduate is tasked with the daily safety of NYCTA’s eight million bus and rail passengers as well as its 46,000 employees. Additionally, Kennedy is the federal, state and local safety contact charged with the oversight of the organization and its unions.

A fierce drive for leadership, service and competition has earned Amy Cashin the 2017 WVU Order of Augusta. Cashin, from Werribee, Australia, is one of only eight students who have been honored with the prestigious student award from among 44 students who were named WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Seniors.

The Outstanding Seniors award was established in 1995 in honor of the WVU Foundation’s 40th Anniversary, to honor WVU’s most distinguished graduating seniors. The Order of Augusta further recognizes the students for their superior scholarship, demonstrated leadership and public service.  

Julio Nakasato, Lima, Peru, was overseeing sports marketing for Adidas Peru. After four and a half years, he knew he wanted to do more with his career. That is when he enrolled in the WVU master’s degree program in sports management.

“I found a new place to call my second home, discovered a passion in the NFL and fantasy football and met amazing forever friends. I learned from the best and found out that the Mountaineer Nation is a family,” Nakasato said.