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A West Virginia University alumna with two degrees has returned to campus to guide wellbeing efforts. Amy Sidwell, Community Health Education M.S. (2000) and Kinesiology-Physical Education Teacher Education Ph.D. (2009), is serving as the new director of the WVU Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.  

The office is dedicated to cultivating the well-being of the campus community by coordinating efforts between all well-being initiatives at WVU. The group is led by Dr. Tara Hulsey, vice president, Health Promotion and Wellness. 

Cassie Smith, league director for the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League, is using sport to jumpstart the road to a long, healthy life for West Virginia teens.

Smith, from Aldie, Va., is a 1993 graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in physical education. As a passionate mountain biker for the last 25 years, Smith works to engage youth in cycling throughout the state of West Virginia.

Sarah Gould Wright, B.S. (1995) sport behavior, is all too familiar with the necessities and importance of developing resources needed to thrive. Originally from Cabot, VT, Wright has traveled up and down the east coast serving under-resourced individuals through her commitment to enhancing programs, policies and systems inclusive of these populations.

With her extensive expertise in coaching, leadership and student-development, Wright has directed projects for the greater good of innumerable organizations. Her background includes leading new initiatives and working diligently to transform “good” programs into “award winning” level ones.

A West Virginia University graduate has worked his way through the collegiate athletic administration ranks to reach the top leadership role at a respected New England university. Marcus Blossom, M.S. (2005) sport management, is the new director of intercollegiate athletics at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass.

As announced last year, Blossom oversees the development of Holy Cross’ 27 NCAA Division I teams as members of the Patriot League, Atlantic Hockey Association and the Women’s Hockey East Association.

Chris Mann, B.S. (2002) sport management, serves as vice president of partnerships at Dignitas, a professional esports organization in Newark, N.J. He knows how to craft connections.

When Dignitas and Verizon announced the new state-of-the-art Esports practice facility, Verizon 5G Gaming Center in Los Angeles, Mann provided leadership and expertise to ensure that the initiative was solid.

Dancers often face the same difficulties in their training and performance as athletes: physical and mental barriers, including nerves, anxiety and self-doubt. While coaches and instructors work with their students through physical challenges, internal barriers can be tougher to overcome.

West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences alumnae Ashley Cranney (2016) and Chelsea Wooding (2014) have first-hand experience with these challenges. The book, “Every Count Matters: Mindset Training for Dancers,” utilizes their background in competitive dance and mental performance to reach dancers of all styles and skill levels.

Many college students struggle with the uncertainty of life after graduation and how to apply their major. Sport and exercise psychology graduate Jay Spenser Darden experienced a change in career paths, after discovering his true passion.  

Darden, from Springfield, Va., currently serves as the director of diversity initiatives and community engagement at West Virginia University. Upon earning his B.S. (2011) in sport and exercise psychology, he had career goals of using outdoor and adventure education to encourage healthy lifestyles. While at WVU, he worked as a leader for Adventure WV, gaining valuable insight and knowledge in the field.

In some cases, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. The connections that students make along their collegiate path often open doors for career development. A recent weekend excursion to the New York and New Jersey area expanded networking opportunities for West Virginia University students, thanks to alumni involvement.

For many of the club members, this was their first road trip experience. Ryan Sandler, junior sport management student, recognized the importance of meeting college alumni. “I found this event to be very informative because it forced me to get out of my comfort zone. Not only did it teach me to become comfortable interacting with my peers, but the trip challenged me to have the courage to start a conversation with someone in a position of high power,” Sandler said.

When it comes to excellence beyond the classroom, West Virginia University is no stranger. A group of students and faculty members from the CPASS physical education and kinesiology program attended the annual West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference, Oct. 18.

Undergraduate student Austin Adams discussed “Linking Theory to Practice: Scaffolding in Physical Education.” Adams demonstrated the zone of proximal development by implementing scaffolding in a game used as an active learning strategy. The presentation was followed by a group discussion to evaluate how this theory could be used in physical education.

The West Virginia University Alumni Association will welcome many familiar faces to campus this fall during 2019 Homecoming ceremonies, as the University celebrates accomplishments of alumni around the globe. The Alumni Association will recognize Dana Brooks, former College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences dean, as the 2019 recipient of the Paul B. “Buck” Martin award.

The Alumni Association is honoring Brooks for his efforts to preserve, maintain and promote the traditions of WVU. Buck Martin served as president of the Alumni Association and was former editor of The Martinsburg Journal and noted WVU historian.