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A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate received the 2021 Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. Dr. Lindsey Blom, professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ball State University, was recognized for her dedication to student fulfillment.

The annual award recognizes outstanding efforts by faculty at schools within the MAC who support students, enhance the collegiate experience, establish and support inclusive environments, prepare students for success after graduation and promote lifelong learning.

The singular desire to help people achieve their potential has remained the driving career force for Aaron Goodson, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate. Goodson explains that sport and exercise were avenues for him that contributed to his physical, mental and emotional growth and development.

“I realized early on how significant the institution of sport is in our lives. College sports have always been part of my life, but I wondered what happened to those young people once we no longer saw them on television or watched them compete. That curiosity, in combination with my own experience as a former college student-athlete, fuels my passion for the work that I do.”

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate’s career grew from humble beginnings as a young teenager while writing for a local newspaper and serving as a DJ for a radio station. Since then, Jonathan Norman, CPASS Sport Management Master’s degree (1999), has climbed the career ladder to his current position as Director of Partnership Development for Tepper Sports and Entertainment (TSE), the parent company of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium.

“As someone who grew up in a small town in North Carolina, to now working for my hometown franchises in Charlotte, it’s been a dream come true. I am truly fortunate to be a part of what we’re building in the Carolinas,” Norman said.

Throughout his career, Jonathan Gibson, WVU Sports Management Master’s degree, has served in marketing leadership roles across a variety of industries in and out of sports. Gibson says that most of the companies are globally recognized for their brand health, innovation, reputation and performance.

Gibson has always had a zeal for marketing and brand building. “Seeing it through this lens was a passion of mine throughout my college and graduate school experiences. Coming to WVU was a great decision as it allowed me to gain real work knowledge while I was in school and build relationships that I have kept throughout my career,” he said.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate recently collaborated to spearhead a public health operations unit for care navigation and contact tracing to guide Georgetown University’s response to COVID-19.

As the director of Campus Recreation, Health and Wellness at Georgetown University, Meghan Dimsa has fifteen plus years of diverse experience in higher education. In this role, she is an executive leader/director serving 21,000 customers with ultimate responsibility for 300 staff members and accountability for a $6 million annual operating budget.

Michael Stokes was the first member of his family to earn a bachelor's degree from a major university. Growing up in a small town, Stokes worked hard to succeed. Through perseverance, the Norvelt, Pa. native says has realized his early career dreams. 

Stokes, B.S. sport management (2020), secured a position following graduation as an assistant equipment manager for the WVU baseball and basketball teams. “Landing my dream job right out of college at the age of 26 is truly a blessing. I still can’t believe I get to wake every day and do what I do,” Stokes said.

Five West Virginia University graduates, representing three colleges, share stories about how they set their sights on a career in the sports industry and achieved their dreams. For some, it started with a focus on their family’s love of sports, for others, it began with an early interest in team sports. For Billy Bunting, Bill Eagan, Brandon Golden, Michael Pehanich and Keith Tandy, West Virginia University offered the perfect pathway to connect them with the career of their choice.

From communications, to coaching, premium club member relations and sales, each of these Mountaineers play a leadership role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization. Bunting, Eagan, Golden, Pehanich and Tandy face daily challenges to achieve goals and build meaningful relationships. As they discuss their experiences while in Morgantown, they reflect on why they chose WVU and how faculty guided them to excel, all the while developing a work ethic that remains with them today.

Samantha Strejeck earned two degrees from West Virginia University, a Sport Management MS (May 2017) and Strategic Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, minor in Leadership Studies BS (2015). Strejeck talks about her passion for sports, experiences as a CPASS sport management student and her internships with WVU Athletics. Strejeck, who grew up in Annapolis, MD, explains how experiential learning opportunities at WVU helped launch her career in the professional sports industry.

Read below to learn how Samantha Strejeck turned hands-on learning experiences while at WVU CPASS into establishing her career goal in social media in sports and then landing her dream position with the NFL.

Alfred “Al” F. Ware, a devoted West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus, died on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the age of 93 after a short illness in Franklin, Tennessee.

Ware, of Rupert, and his late wife, Dolores “Dee” Ware, had an unwavering history of support for CPASS through their wide-ranging philanthropy and leadership roles.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnus credits his college mentors and active involvement in extracurricular activities as a student for his ongoing progress in the sports industry. Ryan Stamski, B.S., sport management, May ’20, is currently pursuing a career in player development in Major League Baseball. As he chases his dream career, he reflects on where his passions started. 

His interest in player development surfaced from his internship experience with the West Virginia Black Bears, where he worked closely with the Pirates’ player development staff. Stamski’s love for player development evolved during his student manager position with the West Virginia University baseball team. As an intern with the team, Stamski worked with many talented college athletes while gaining player development technology experience.