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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.

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.

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.