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The following is an essay by Gonzalo Bravo , a professor of sport management at West Virginia University, about his recent sabbatical to his native country, Chile, for the Pan American and Parapan American Games last fall. The essay provides a brief history of the often-overlooked competitions and the impact that the games have on athletes, nations, and the host country. He also shares the challenges and experiences of collecting data for upcoming research projects, his volunteer experience at the games, and the personal and professional rewards from the unique sabbatical experience.

Last fall, I had the opportunity to complete a sabbatical leave in Santiago, Chile. This enabled me to concentrate full-time on the data collection process of four large-scale research studies during the XIX Pan American and VII Parapan American Games held in Santiago from Oct. 20 to Nov. 26, 2023.

After working summer camps with kids, Tyler Derkotch knew it was what he wanted to do for a living. At WVU, he found that the physical education and kinesiology program offered the kinds of hands-on learning he enjoyed in a field he was passionate about. Working at a daycare in Morgantown has only strengthened his conviction to work with children as a physical education teacher.

West Virginia University’s Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology program has partnered with local organizations to launch a martial arts program for individuals with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. (FULL PHOTO GALLERY)

Jeanette Garcia joined WVU’s College of Applied Human Sciences in the School of Sport Sciences in August 2023. Prior to coming to Morgantown, she was at the University of Central Florida where her research focused on developing community-based for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily those with autism.

Peter McGahey, teaching assistant professor at West Virginia University, has been named as an assistant coach for the United States Power Soccer National Team. He is one of two assistants under the direction of head coach Tracy Mayer.

McGahey’s appointment is for the next World Cup cycle. The next World Cup is in 2026 in Argentina. The United States is coming off a third-place finish in the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

The College of Applied Human Sciences celebrate Commencement on Saturday, December 16, at 2 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will be earning their degree this weekend.  

Isaac Bond is a West Virginia native who maximized his time in the sport management program by utilizing in-person and online classes in order to work during his time at school. Katie Merrill, one of the first graduates of the mental health and addiction studies program on Saturday, credits the faculty for their personal investment into her success. 

Anthony Richards II, a junior at West Virginia University from Washington, D.C., shares his passion for promoting holistic health, the impactful experiences and professors in the program, and the valuable practical exposure he's gained through internships and teaching. From managing challenges in his academic journey to his career aspirations, Richards discusses the diverse opportunities and supportive community that define the WVU experience.

Major: Physical Education and Kinesiology

With a focus on educating students for industries of the future, West Virginia University is now offering an esports bachelor’s degree, preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing esports industry while building on the University’s already successful competitive esports program.

Justin Grimes, a first-year student from Gaithersburg, Maryland, is among the first students to begin pursuing the Esports Business and Entertainment major.

Students and families from the WVU Nursery School joined the School of Sport Sciences and the Center for ActiveWV for a night of physical literacy on Thursday, Nov. 2, as part of a collaborative effort in the College of Applied Human Sciences.

>> PHOTO GALLERY | PHYSICAL LITERACY HANDOUT (PDF) <<

The WVU School of Sport Sciences, as part of its continued relationship with the Positive Coaching Alliance, will host a virtual workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 7-8:30 p.m., entitled "Double-Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons."

The workshop is available to both campus and community members involved with coaching sports at the youth level. Those interested can RSVP here.

Despite growing up in Morgantown with West Virginia University as a constant presence in her life, it wasn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion that Alex Watson would end up a Mountaineer. However, after considering a lifetime immersed on the campus where both her parents were faculty members and the academic opportunities with WVU, the decision ended up being pretty simple.

“I grew up right here,” she says. “For my entire life, my parents, neighbors and many of the people I knew worked at WVU. Through that, I was able to get involved with a lot of things. For example, my neighbor was a neurologist at WVU, and one of my first memories was going to her lab and participating in her studies. And then when I got to high school, I was given the opportunity to go to Honduras with the School of Nursing to volunteer and give free medical care. On top of that, I was able to go to Mexico with faculty from (then) CPASS to teach leadership to young females through soccer. Those last two trips happened right when I was in the decision-making process, and I think that solidified that I didn’t want to go far and that everything that I needed was at WVU.”