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Scott Link, current CPASS Sport and Exercise Psychology student, has been competing in Mountaineer Idol for the last three years. In 2011 Link placed 6th place over all, then in 2012 finished 2nd in the competition following Paris Winfrey.  Redemption was a key initiative for competing again in 2012 after his upsetting early exit from the competition in 2011.

“I am naturally a competitive person and want to bring my best to each round of the competition and therefore put a lot of time into it,” said Link. “I wanted to do it again because I had a great experience the first time but went home a lot earlier than I would have liked. I knew that I could have done better and therefore wanted to try again.”

Tyson Thompson, sport management MS 2010 graduate, was honored by a national tennis magazine for his contributions to the United States Tennis Association. Thompson is the USTA community program and training coordinator in North Carolina. 

Racquet Sports Industry magazine recently released their annual “30 Under Thirty” list recognizing members in the tennis community who are helping the industry grow.

Army veteran John Housby is the first West Virginia University student to receive the Esther L. Crane Endowed Scholarship for student veterans. Housby was awarded a $1,000 scholarship that will help support his final year at WVU as a CPASS athletic training student. 

The Esther L. Crane Endowed Scholarship is funded by Robert Crane and his wife, Sharon, who established the scholarship in his mother’s name to help support West Virginia’s student veterans. Robert Crane’s inspiration for creating the scholarship was the continuous support his mother provided him with his transition from the military and continuing his education. After nine years of serving in the Army and Army Reserve, Crane earned his bachelor’s and master of business administration degrees.

Melissa Baus arrived at West Virginia University as a freshman with a few ideas, but no concrete plan for college.

“I was not quite sure what I wanted my major to be,” Baus said, “I knew I was very sports orientated and liked the field of teaching so I decided to enter into the PETE program.”

CPASS is honored to announce that Tyler Elvin, senior Sports Management major, has been elected to the 2013 Homecoming Court. Elvin is very active throughout campus participating in the American Red Cross Blood Drive and Trunk or Treat. He is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, currently serving as president this year. Elvin serves on the Greek national board of governors. In the 2012-2013 school year Elvin was named Greek Man of the Year for his outstanding work in the Greek community. Elvin is an active member of Alpha Lambda Delta, College Republicans, Sport Management Club and Ski/Snowboard Club. Homecoming King and Queen will be announced on October 19 at half-time during the WVU football game against Texas Tech.

James C. Jenkins, a Physical Education Teaching Education graduate, has become a jet setter since earning his degree. Jenkins, certified in both physical education and mathematics, has been teaching internationally for nine years.

“I spent two years in Bangkok, Thailand, two years in Tel Aviv, Israel, and five years in Hong Kong,” Jenkins said.

Jack Marucci, CPASS athletic training grad, and director of athletic training at Louisiana State University, was featured recently in USA Today about how his company, Marucci Bat Company, is rivaling the Louisville Slugger.

Jack Marucci’s hobby of making baseball bats in his backyard led him to start his company in 2002 to meet the demand of big league hitters. What no one knew was how successful the bats would become and that they would rival the infamous Louisville Slugger.

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.