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2017 CPASS Hall of Fame Inductees

Cynthia “Sam” Booth

Booth received her bachelor’s degree in physical education with an athletic training emphasis from WVU and went on to earn a master’s and doctorate from other universities. Booth was the first woman to serve as the District IV Director on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Directors, and as the NATA secretary, treasurer, chair and member of the NATA Finance Committee. CPASS was Booth’s sixth Hall of Fame induction. Booth now works as the administrator for the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

David “DC” Colt

Colt received his bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in athletic training from WVU while playing on the men’s soccer team from 1972 to 1976 and went on to earn master’s and a doctorate in education. Colt worked at Temple University before dedicating 27 years of athletic training expertise to Northwest Missouri State. He also spent time at the United State Air Force Academy from 2008-2012 and was vice president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Colt currently works as program director for the Athletic Training program at the University of Missouri.

John Gay, PhD

After earning a bachelor’s degree from SUNY at Buffalo, serving with the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator and receiving a master’s degree, John Gay came to WVU to receive a PhD. Gay has been a professor, chair or dean at various universities in the United States and Australia/South Australia. Gay has received the Mortar Board of Outstanding Teacher Award at WVU, Top 10 Faculty at Towson University, Outstanding Teacher Award at Central Michigan University and Centennial Award at the University of Scranton.

Olana “Tick” Hedrick-Sheaffer

Upon graduation from WVU, Hedrick-Sheaffer spent 35 years at Penn State Altoona as a physical education (kinesiology) teacher and coach, where she was selected for various honors. For 28 years, Hedrick-Sheaffer coached the Penn State Commonwealth women’s volleyball team, collecting 13 Commonwealth Campus titles, eight Western Pennsylvania titles and eight Junior/Community College State Championships. She collected 11 Conference Coach of the Year awards and a varsity win-loss record of 505-175. She is a nationally certified athletic trainer.

Daniel F. Mahony

Mahony earned his Master of Science in Sport Management from WVU after receiving a bachelor’s from another institution. Following his doctorate, Mahony spent seven years as dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services and as a professor of sport management at Kent State University. He has played various roles at the University of Louisville, WVU and the University of Cincinnati and contributed research to more than 60 articles. He has earned numerous awards and was the first recipient of the top diversity award at Kent State in 2015 — and now has the award named for him.

Jean Irion
2017 Outstanding Alumna

Irion is chair and program director of the Physical Therapy program at Emory University and in the School of Health Sciences at Henry College. She graduated in 1979 from WVU with bachelor’s degrees in physical education, general science education and athletic training. She received her master’s and doctorate from other institutions. She is a certified athletic trainer, licensed physical therapist and Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy. She has served in the American Physical Therapy Association in various capacities during the past 25 years and was chair of the inaugural Women’s Health Specialty Council for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She’s a member of the Women’s Health and the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. Irion has been in the field for more than 27 years. 

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