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Educational Centers

We sat down with faculty experts to answer key questions about the educational centers on our campus that have become vital to research and student engagement at CPASS.

The Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science

Expert: Kristen Dieffenbach, associate professor of Athletic Coaching Education

What is the center’s primary mission?

The Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science feels that every person is an athlete, every athlete deserves to work with a trained, quality coach and every coach’s preparation should be enriched by the best science and practice knowledge available. The center seeks to bring together people passionate about enriching and improving sport for participants of all levels through better educational opportunities and support for those who coach. The center seeks to integrate cutting-edge knowledge from many disciplines — sport psychology, pedagogy, human development, exercise physiology, leadership and sport technology to inform and support coaches and to help the profession of sport coaching evolve.

From a societal perspective, what is the significance of the center’s research?

Coaching requires specific skills and specialized knowledge depending on the level of athlete development, age and sport. At its core, coaching is teaching, and coaches have the opportunity to help develop not only athleticism, but also a wide variety of skills that will both help individuals strive to achieve their personal potential and live healthier lives — but only if the coach is properly prepared to do so. The research conducted by the center focuses on innovation and education with a mission of understanding and supporting the appropriate educational preparation to develop the necessary sport science, teaching and sport content knowledge, interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills necessary for effective coaching. The center also seeks to help drive innovation in applied coaching through applied training theory and cross-disciplinary research.

How does the center engage undergraduate and graduate students in its mission?

The center seeks to involve them in research, applied experiences and the community. Interested students are given opportunities to participate in faculty research initiatives and to participate in community coaching and coaching education events, such as the recent High School Weightlifting Combine run by Guy Hornsby, PhD, and the ongoing coaching education work with the volunteer coach network of the West Virginia chapter of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (WV NICA). The center also brings in topical speakers for events such as the annual WV NSCA conference, the biannual Don Nehlen Lecture and the ongoing “Developing Communities of Practice” experience that focuses on developing critical thinking, reflection and professional engagement skills through cohort interaction and interactions with professionals around the world.

The Russell (Bud) Bolton Center for Sport Ethics

Expert: Jack Watson and Ed Etzel, professors of Sport and Exercise Psychology

What is the center’s primary mission?

Our mission is to bring together individuals who possess an interest in the study of ethics in sport to promote awareness of this topic within sport science and education. The center’s personnel create and disseminate knowledge and information related to this topic and use this information to promote and support the positive qualities and benefits of ethical sport practices. The center strives to increase awareness related to, and knowledge of the best-practices approaches associated with the ethical issues affecting modern sport. The center also facilitates the development of quality research, the collection and dissemination of ethical resources and promotion of the study of ethics in sport among students, faculty and those directly involved.

From a societal perspective, what is the significance of the center’s research?

Popular media today is consistently revealing stories of wrongdoings and problems within the sport industry. These stories involve athletes of all ages, their parents and family members, coaches, leagues, athletic administrators, governments and others who are misusing sport. Such behaviors are considered commonplace, and in some instances, accepted without question, as they are becoming the norm rather than the exception. It is the goal of this center to research, write about these issues to better inform others about their existence, and provide resources to help individuals interested in decreasing these problems throughout the world. In keeping with the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan, our goal is to address these issues by providing an avenue for research, discovery and dissemination of information to promote positive change while initiating research, the collection of best practices and the sharing of innovation.

How does the center engage undergraduate and graduate students in its mission?

We have created invited lectures for students within the College and, in several cases, have incorporated these lectures into undergraduate or graduate classes. We have also used undergraduate students, who receive independent study credits for helping us organize activities and improve our webpage. These students have been engaged in organizational and planning meetings. For the past two years, we have also organized an ethics case presentation contest for students. Both undergraduates and graduates have been encouraged to apply for this contest and present their information for review by a panel of faculty. 

The Center for ActiveWV

Experts: Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor of Physical Education Teacher Education; and Sam Zizzi, Ware Distinguished Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology 

What is the center’s primary mission?

We are a newly developed center whose mission is to increase the physical activity levels of both children and adults in our state to meet or exceed the national physical activity recommendations 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (CDC) and, thereby, improve the health and quality of life of all West Virginians.

From a societal perspective, what is the significance of the center’s research?

The purpose of the center is to provide the needed infrastructure, funding, research and programming to successfully impact the health of our citizens across the lifespan. The center is expected to provide the infrastructure needed to stimulate and coordinate innovative research and outreach efforts related to physical activity and education, health and prosperity. Its members represent multiple disciplines across the University and work in collaboration with other outside agencies, organizations, businesses and educational institutions throughout the state.

How does the center engage undergraduate and graduate students in its mission?

The center offers students opportunities to engage in collaborative research focused on the biological, psychological, social and environmental determinants of physical activity behavior. Given the well-established linkage between physical activity and the prevention of chronic degenerative disease, the clinical and experiential learning opportunities that students have access to through the center are equally as important. It is easy in academic settings for students to limit their view of complex problems through their disciplinary lens. We expect students will benefit greatly from more frequent interactions with professionals from outside their discipline who share similar research interests. 

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