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Michael Jackson, West Virginia University sports management major, recently completed a summer internship with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, a professional baseball team in the Atlantic League, Waldorf, Maryland.

Michael is a fifth year senior at WVU and transferred from Liberty University in 2011 where he played football. Jackson learned in November 2012 that he got the internship.

Michael “Mickey” Bennett credits his education from the College for his success in landing a summer position with the Rec PAC Program in Fairfax County, Virginia. 

“I feel like I have been extremely prepared for my future with so many things the CPASS program has offered me. It goes beyond learning in the classroom,” said Bennett.

James Wyant, Physical Education Teaching Education Ph.D. graduate, has officially moved to California to begin his position as an assistant professor in the health, exercise and sports sciences department at University of Pacific in Stockton.

Wyant selected the College of Physical Activity and Sport Science’s doctoral program because of the unique opportunities and valuable experiences it offers to students.

Justin Isberg, a 2013 graduate of the Physical Education Teacher Education program, will begin teaching full time at one of North Carolina’s top performing middle schools this month. Isberg interviewed with a variety of schools for physical education/health teacher positions and learned that thanks to the WVU PETE program, he stood out from the other candidates in many ways.

The WVU PETE program focuses on developing students into physical educators and has established itself as a national leader in physical education teacher training. The program has a unique approach to teaching skill analysis and by enabling students to gain hands-on experience; most graduates are generally employed as elementary or secondary health and/or physical education teachers and athletic coaches.

Dr. Ryan Flett, assistant professor, Athletic Coaching Education, was recently awarded a grant from The Association for Applied Sport Psychology. The AASP grant will provide funding for a pilot study examining the perspectives of school decision makers in Monongalia County, such as athletic directors and higher-administration, regarding the role that student-athletes can have in reducing bullying and facilitating a positive school environment. 

Flett focused on positive youth development (PYD) through sport in underserved settings during his doctorate and hopes this study will be an effective pilot for an exciting line of research. Since beginning his work in the department of Coaching and Teaching Studies, his focus has shifted from youth development in underserved settings to PYD in the school setting.

Early this summer, three CPASS undergraduate students and one faculty member joined 27 other students and faculty on a 10-day trip to Canada. This was the fifth version of the state-sponsored trip to L’Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada. 

>Established in 2009, the program, sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, is a joint initiative of three major state universities: West Virginia University, Marshall University, and West Virginia State University, and one Canadian university – L’Université Laval. The program provides students with an inexpensive opportunity to engage in a firsthand experience of a foreign culture and language. 

An article written by third year PETE masters cohort teacher, Tyler Cathcart, is featured in the 2013 summer edition of The Pulse, an on line newsletter published by aahperd.org. Tyler tells the story of The Education Center at The Watson Institute in Sewickley, PA where he teaches. The Education Center serves children between the ages of three and 21 who have various disabilities.

Tyler, who will graduate this month, explains that The Center has participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart for the past decade. He says that although students deal with their own challenges, the lessons that they learn from actively participating in these fundraisers encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles. 

Chad Fowler, a native of Bridgeport, W.Va., was recently named assistant athletic director for development at Fairmont State University. He is a 1994 graduate of WVU who earned a degree in sports management. Chad began his professional career with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets where he served as assistant director for community relations for two years and then as a sponsor services manager for four years.

For the past ten years, Fowler was working outside of sports management as a pharmaceutical representative. His most recent position was a senior customer sales representative at Merck, where he consistently ranked among the top 20 percent in the country. Now returning to the world of sports, he explained in the Fairmont State article that he is honored to work at FSU and excited to be back in his home state. This is a new beginning for Fowler filled with challenges he is excited to overcome. He started his new position on July 1.

Over the years, the College has seen thousands of students graduate and begin their careers. The school wishes success for their graduates and hopes each student’s experience at WVU was inspiring. A few graduates have reached out to the College to talk about where they are now.

Brad Haas is a 2010 graduate of the College. He earned his BSPE with a focus in sport and exercise psychology. His initial years at WVU led him to pursue a graduate degree in law. Having recently graduated from Case Western University he is now an associate at a law firm in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His undergraduate studies heavily influenced his career focus. He tells us that he plans to focus in sports related law. Brad has offered to share information about his post-WVU years and answer any questions students may have relating to law school, sports agents, lawyers, etc.

Chad Ballard, M.S. SM 2009, has an exciting career with Feld Entertainment in   Tampa, Fla., and he attributes much of his success to the knowledge and experience he gained as a CPASS student. 

Ballard spends his days walking the elephants and horses from The Greatest Show on Earth down Main Street to announce the circus is in town, brain-storming marketing techniques for Monster Jam Motorsports events, and keeping fans enticed when they attend Disney On Ice.

CPASS faculty members Drs. Jack Watson and Damien Clement accompanied 10 students on a trip to Halmstad University, a worldwide leader in sport and exercise psychology, in Sweden March 23-30. 

While there, students experienced a multitude of educational growth and experiences that relate to their studies at WVU. By traveling to Sweden, they had the opportunity to learn how many aspects of sport psychology, sport management and athletic coaching differ in countries beyond the U.S.

With the recent firing of Rutgers University basketball coach Mike Rice in the sports spotlight, everyone is thinking it. Are mean coaches effective?

Discovery News released a psychology article related to this topic on April 4. Kristin Dieffenbach, assistant professor of athletic coaching education at CPASS, was quoted in the article for her knowledge on the issue.

Ishonte’ Allar, CPASS Physical Education Teacher Education graduate student, was recently awarded the West Virginia University W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship.

Allar will receive a monetary stipend from the university to further her higher education. Despite the fact that she could have gone anywhere, Allar decided to continue her studies at WVU CPASS because she feels she gained invaluable experience and education.

Sport Management grad Keith Ricci is making his way up in the world of professional hockey with the Boston Bruins, and he contributes much of his success to WVU and CPASS. 

“My first step was attending WVU for the well-respected Sport Management program. Besides the education, the networking with other Mountaineer students and alumni was critical. There are Mountaineers everywhere around the world in all different lines of work who are willing to help other Mountaineers learn and succeed,” said Ricci.

Graduate assistant Kristi Bowen is taking a new approach to teaching students about physical education.

The secondary block students in the CPASS physical education teacher education program competed in a dance competition on Thursday, March 21 in the Coliseum. Student-created “fitness” and ballroom dances were performed such as the waltz, foxtrot, salsa, cha cha, and swing dance.