Dean Dana Brooks will retire from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences June 30, 2019, after more than four decades as a passionate Mountaineer committed to promoting diversity and student success at West Virginia University. Upon Brooks’ retirement, professor of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology and interim associate dean Jack Watson will serve as interim dean of the College.
Brooks began his WVU career as a graduate teaching assistant in the 1970s. His subsequent positions, which involved progressively increasing leadership responsibilities, included instructor, minority recruitment and retention coordinator, acting graduate coordinator, acting chairperson and associate dean.
He was named interim dean of CPASS in 1992, then known as the School of Physical Education. He was named the permanent dean a year later and has served in that capacity ever since, leading CPASS in expanding degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, moving to a new building featuring innovative lab and classroom spaces and bringing faculty onboard who have developed national research profiles in their fields. In addition, Brooks oversaw the College’s name change in 2007 to the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
During capital campaigns undertaken during his tenure as dean, Brooks secured two endowed professorships for CPASS, the Ware Distinguished and Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professorships. These gifts were provided to help support physical activity and wellness programs and research across the life spans. Brooks also oversaw the development of the International Center of Performance Excellence and FiT Publishing, from the previous privately-held book publishing company.
“Dana Brooks embodies the administrator who never loses his passion for his field or his scholarship, even as he takes on leadership roles,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “In the many years that he provided both leadership and vision to our College of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, he has done so with tremendous integrity, energy and humor. His impact on both this institution and on his academic discipline is immeasurable.”
A fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Brooks has served as president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, now named SHAPE America.
He previously served as chair or member of numerous committees and councils, including the WVU Athletics Council, Black Community Concerns, Social Justice Council and Affirmative Action. He remains the project administrator for the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences National Youth Sports Program, which provides underprivileged youth aged 9-15 with sport and enrichment activities over a four-week summer camp program. The camp offers free physicals, busing and free and reduced meals to students in Monongalia County. Over the last 32 years, the NYSP has positively impacted the lives of more than 8,000 children and their families.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Brooks’ research interests have included the history of sports integration at WVU and the African American sport experience. As both a scholar and administrator, he has made more than 100 presentations at the state, national and international levels. He has co-edited and authored Racism and College Athletics (3rd edition) , Diversity and Social Justice in College Sports and seven book chapters.
Brooks has been honored with the Dean’s Recognition Award from the College of Health Professions at Towson University, Lifetime Achievement Award from Hagerstown Junior College, induction into the Hagerstown Junior College Sports Hall of Fame, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Achievement Award from the WVU Center for Black Culture, the Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award and the Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” Award from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission of the State of West Virginia.
“It has been a privilege to teach undergraduate and graduate classes and to serve as dean for the past 26 years. I would like to thank the president’s office, office of the provost, and fellow deans for your support and encouragement.” said Brooks. “I have had the honor of working with outstanding and gifted faculty, staff, students and alumni from the college. West Virginia University and the state of West Virginia changed and enhanced my life. I am proud to be a Mountaineer.”
McConnell describes Watson as a “consensus-builder and a thoughtful leader. He will be a wonderful individual at the helm of CPASS during this transition,” she said. “We are very grateful to Jack for taking on this new role.”
A private celebration of Dean Brooks’ career and retirement is scheduled for May.