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CPASS graduate makes impact on physical education in schools

Photo of Shannon Nash, 2009 PETE graduate

Since the 1970s the child obesity rate in the U.S. has nearly tripled, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As the rates climb, the importance of physical education for children becomes more and more critical.

As a teacher, Shannon Nash, physical education teacher education (BS 2009), realizes the need for leaving a lasting impression for a healthy and active lifestyle for every student.  

WVU Sport Management On Line Master’s Cohort Supports National Nonprofit Group

Photo of students in front of Jerry West statue in Morgantown, WV.

 A West Virginia University master’s cohort has created a fundraising effort to benefit the National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect (EndCAN). The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences sport management on line master’s students worked together to identify the non-profit recipient of the funds, decide on a product and generate a marketing plan.

“One member of our class, Morgan Montgomery, was instrumental in securing our start-up funds. She is in Colorado, near the charity’s headquarters, and contacted them, pitched our idea and gained their support. We knew we had a financial obstacle to overcome, so Morgan was successful in getting the organization to provide us with $500 to launch the product,” said Kevin Spano, team CEO. 

International sport psychology organization recognizes WVU faculty and students at annual gathering

Photo of Toronto city

WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences faculty and students attended the 33rd Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology conference in Toronto, Canada in early October. AASP hosted an awards ceremony, announcing top performers in various categories, including numerous CPASS recipients.

Ian Connole, CPASS alumnus, received the Distinguished Applied Contribution Award for significant work that has impacted the field of sports psychology. Connole, a partner with Vision Pursue, provides a focus on improving mental skills to impact life experiences, including mindfulness for high performance individuals and organizations.

State-wide partnership celebrates health outcomes

Group photo of PEIA staff

The Weight Management Program, a community-based diet and exercise program, reached 33 counties through approximately 100 fitness centers around the Mountain state.

The innovative arrangement, developed by Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and managed by West Virginia University, was recognized nationally for the fee-for-service model housed at community-based fitness centers, designed to promote healthy living. PEIA will continue to oversee the program.

WVU faculty featured in Appalachian health initiative conference

Portrait of Eloise Elliott

Eloise Elliott, PhD, Ware Distinguished Professor, CPASS, and William Neal, MD, School of Medicine, were invited speakers at the recent Appalachian Translational Research Network (ATRN) Summit in Lexington, KY, in September.

Their talk,  The West Virginia CARDIAC Project: Surveillance, Research, and Interventions, focused on successful community-academic research collaborations and how community partnerships are integral to the success of all three components of the Project.

CPASS graduate named head coach for Fairmont State men’s basketball

Photo of Joe Mazzulla, taken from The Dominion Post.

It’s been eight years since Joe Mazzulla helped lead the West Virginia University Mountaineers to the NCAA Final Four, and now he’s returning to the basketball court. Except this time, he is on the sideline as head coach for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons men’s basketball team.

Mazzulla, from Johnston R.I, spent four years playing for Coach Bob Huggins, 2007-2010. During his time at WVU, he recounts one of his favorite memories with the team.