http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/latest_news Health & Kinesiology english Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:28:56 CST Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:28:56 CST http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/san_antonio_spurs_general_manager_to_speak_at_sport_business_seminar The Center for Sport Management Research and Education is proud to welcome R.C. Buford, general manager of the San Antonio Spurs, to campus Friday for the final Sport Business Seminar Series of the semester. Mr. Buford, in addition to being general manager of the Spurs, is also the president of sports franchises for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, overseeing the sports administration for the other three teams in the SS&E family. Those include the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA, the San Antonio Rampage from the American Hockey League, and the NBA Development League's Austin Toros. He started his sports career as a coach at the University of Kansas in 1983. During each of his five seasons at Kansas, the Jayhawks participated in the NCAA Tournament. Mr. Buford made the move to the NBA in the summer of 1988. In the summer of 1997 he became the Spurs director of scouting, was promoted to vice president/assistant general manager in the summer of 1999, and was nam ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/hlkn_well_represented_on_athletics_task_force Three members of the Department of Health and Kinesiology have been selected by interim president Dr. R. Bowen Loftin as part of the Athletics Task Force. The formation of this task force, as part of a new imperative of the Vision 2020 initiative, will take into account the role of intercollegiate athletics at Texas A&M. Key areas of consideration by this Athletics Task Force will be: (1) the role of the student-athlete at Texas A&M, (2) a comparison of our athletics program with those of the top ten public universities in the country, (3) recommendations for the fundamental parameters of a long-range financial plan for Athletics, and (4) the appropriate vision for creating a culture of excellence for Texas A&M Athletics by 2020. Health & Kinesiology department head Dr. Rick Kreider, Dr. John N. Singer from sport management and Joe Dannenbaum of the physical education activity program will serve on the task force. In addition, Dr. Mary Alfred, associate dean f ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/fiesta_bowl_president_to_speak_at_trott_lecture_series The Center for Sport Management Research and Education at Texas A&M University is proud to welcome John Junker to campus as part of the Trott Lecture Series. Currently holding the title of president and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl, John Junker possess more than 25 years of college football bowl experience. He was named the seventh most powerful person in college football by Sports Illustrated in 2003 and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation. He was presented with the Football Writers Association of America's Bert McGrane Award during the College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in 2006.  The lecture is part of the Trott Lecture Series (http://csmre.net/services/trott/). Mr. Junker's speech will be Friday November 6th at 12:40pm at the Hagner Auditorium. The auditorium is part of the Bright Football Complex on the Texas A&M campus. The event is free and open to ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/sport_management_to_participate_in_nsf_case_cup The sport management program in the Department of Health and Kinesiology has been selected to participate in the National Sports Forum Case Cup competition to be held in conjunction with the 2010 National Sports Forum conference. This will mark the fourth year of the NSF Case Cup Competition. In previous years, the competition has been an invitation-only event built around six of the nation's top sports masters and MBA programs. The sport management program at Texas A&M has been in this competition since its inception, along with programs from Arizona State University, Ohio University, the University of Central Florida, University of Memphis, and University of Oregon. For the 2010 NSF competition , Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and University of South Carolina were selected through an application and screening process to join the original six competing institutions. The NSF Case Cup is a uniqu ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/el_salvador_olympic_committee_president_to_speak_at_sbs The Center for Sport Management Research and Education is proud to welcome Eduardo Palomo, president of the El Salvador Olympic Committee, for a special lecture in the Sport Business Seminar Series. Mr. Palomo, Aggie class of '82, is president of the El Salvador Olympic Committee and has served in that position since 2007. The discussion will include Palomo's career path to president of the ESOC, major obstacles in the field of the international sport, and how his time at Texas prepared him for his career route. The lecture is on Friday at 12:40 in room 501 of Rudder Tower. Admission is free for the event. Individuals in a career of international sport, especially Olympic sport, should make plans to attend this informative discussion. The Sport Business Seminar Series takes place Fridays before certain Texas A&M home football games. ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/les_palmer_1923_2009 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Les Palmer, former assistant head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Born Leslie Lloyd Palmer on May 20, 1923 in Hitchcock, Mr. Palmer was educated in Corpus Christi, Hitchcock and Aransas Pass. He graduated from Aransas Pass High School in 1941. He then entered Texas A&M University but left after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was a member of the 12th Air Force, 57th Bomb Wing, 319th Bomb Group, 440th Bomb Squad flying from Sardinia and Corsica. On his 20th mission, he was shot down, wounded and captured. He was a POW in Stalag VII A and was liberated on April 29, 1945, after over six months of captivity. Following the end of World War II, he returned to Texas A&M where he was a distinguished student and received his B.S. Degree in 1948. In 1951, he received his Masters of Educati ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/internationally_renowned_professor_comes_to_motor_neuroscience_seminar The Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M is proud to welcome Dr. Stephen P. Swinnen from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium to campus. Dr. Swinnen was a staff research associate at UCLA from 1983 to 1985, where he trained in research on human motor control and learning. Since 1985, he has been affiliated with the Laboratory of Motor Control in the Department of Kinesiology at K.U. Leuven Belgium, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1987. He currently teaches motor control and behavioral neuroscience and directs a multidisciplinary team studying the behavioral principles governing interlimb coordination and their underlying neural control mechanisms. He was awarded the Belgian Chair at University College London in 2004 and has been a visiting scholar at Queensland University in Australia, Universit&e ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/change_of_major_meeting The advising office will be having a Change of Major meeting for studtents on October 22. Students in PEK and School Health will be at 2:30pm in READ 161. Those students in Motor Behavior, Basic Exercise Physiology and Applied Exercise Physiology will be at 4pm in READ 165. ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/nsca_president_to_speak_on_the_role_of_science_in_sports Dr. Jay Hoffman, who is currently the President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association will be on campus Wednesday to make a presentation at our exercise physiology seminar entitled "Sport Science: Bridging the Gap between the Laboratory and the Field". With over 40,000 members, the NSCA is the largest exercise-related scientific organization in the world with a mission of supporting and disseminating research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance. Dr. Hoffman holds a unique perspective in his sport science background. Prior to his academic career he signed free agent contracts with the NY Jets and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL and the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL. He is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the College of New Jersey; has published over 120 peer-r ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/fox_sports_vice_president_to_speak_at_sport_business_seminar The Center for Sport Management Research and Education is proud to welcome John Heidtke, senior vice president and general manager for Fox Sports, to campus Friday for the Sport Business Seminar Series. Widely recognized as one of the nation's leading sports executives, Jon Heidtke oversees FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports Oklahoma. The networks are part of the vast FOX Sports television family and affiliates of FSN, which consists of 19 regional sports networks from coast-to-coast specializing in home team coverage. The operations Heidtke manages reach over 10 million cable and satellite television homes in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of New Mexico. With more than two decades of experience in the sports television industry, Heidtke has gone from an on-air personality to a top management position. The Sport Business ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/utah_state_to_receive_national_championship_for_excellence_in_management The Utah State Aggies will be showcased as national champions of the Excellence in Management Cup, presented by Texas A&M's Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics (LSIA) in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. The award presentation will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4:30 p.m. at Duncan Field on the Texas A&M campus. Representatives from LSIA will present the award to Utah State officials before the 6 p.m. game-day kickoff. The EM Cup awards athletic departments that win the most conference and national championships with the lowest operating expenses in accordance with financial expenditures. The scores are calculated using a formula that accounts for total athletic department spending, number of sports played, and the number of conference and national championships won by each Division I (FBS) university. Results showed that "major" universities may not be running as economically sound as some smaller universities, as the ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/get_your_hlkn_gear If you missed out on your chance to get one of the new HLKN collared shirts, time is running out. We will be doing one more group order this semester! The polyester shirts come in either maroon or black and highlight the HLKN logo. Shirts are $28 and are payable in Mary Beth Henthorne's office (Read 158R). They must be paid for in advance of the shirts (no IOUs). Act fast; orders are due on Friday September 11th. Mary Beth will also be taking orders for the PEAP non-collared shirts. Made of 100% micropolyester, it is probably the most comfortable shirt you will ever wear. They are also $28 and Mary Beth will also be taking those orders until September 11th. Finally, our KINE honorary Phi Epsilon Kappa will be selling T-shirts and window decals. The t-shirts come in either green or blue and identify Health and Kinesiology on the front and a picture of Kyle Field on the back. The t-shirts are $12.00. And dress your car up with HLKN pride with the new Health & Kinesio ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/new_fall_2009_faculty We would like to say "Howdy!" to the newest faculty members in the Department of Health and Kinesiology this fall. In the Division of Health Education, Dr. Ariane Hollub comes to us as an assistant professor. Dr. Hollub's research interests include global sexual health and HIV prevention & education. Dr. Lei-Shih Chen has accepted the opportunity to return to Aggieland as an assistant professor. Dr. Chen is a former doctoral student of the department and was awarded Dissertation of the Year from the College of Education and Human Development in 2008. After a long leave from TAMU to coach at the high school level, Ms. Debe Schafer re-joins the department as an instructional assistant professor. Dr. Susan Ward joins us as an instructional assistant professor. Dr. Ward is a retired professor and chair in the Department of Health Studies at Texas Woman's University. The Physical Education Activity Program welcomes four new faculty members, Ms. Jasmine Gonzalez, Ms. Johanna Ho ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/beth_mcneill_wins_afs_distinguished_achievement_award Beth McNeill, an Instructional Associate Professor in Health Education, has selected as a recipient of 2009 College Level Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award.  Ms. McNeill will be presented with her award at the College Awards Celebration on Friday, September 18th at 6pm at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. Ms. McNeill has received her Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees all from Texas A&M University.  She also serves as coordinator of the School Health Teacher Certification Program.  Ms. McNeill has been in the past been selected as the teacher of the year in the Department of Health and Kinesiology and is a former T-Camp namesake. ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/melinda_grant_wins_extraordinary_service_award Melinda Grant, an associate chair and senior lecturer in the Physical Education Activity Program, has been selected as a recipient of the 2009 College of Education Extraordinary Service Award. Ms. Grant will be presented with her award and a check for $1000 at the College Awards Celebration on Friday, September 18th at 6pm at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. A graduate of West Virginia University, Melinda Grant came to Texas A&M University in 1994 as a lecturer in the Physical Education Activity Program. She became the Associate Chair of PEAP in 1997. Ms. Grant is a past recipient of the Emil Mamaliga Teaching Excellence Award and The Association of Former Students Distinguished Teaching Award. She is a member of the Aggie Honor Council, Faculty Senate, and a former Fish Camp namesake.   ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/mckyer_named_associate_director_for_iorpe Dr. E. Lisako J. McKyer, an assistant professor in health education and director of the Child and Adolescent Health Research Laboratory, has accepted the position of Associate Director for the Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation. The Institute does research related to obesity prevention and treatment. Obesity prevention bench work includes looking at bioactive anthocyanins and carotenoids as part of efforts to promote energy balance. More applied work involves impact assessment of the new WIC Food Package changes. Dr. McKyer will have supervisory authority for the TEXFAN and NATFAN projects and other research at the Institute, in cooperation and consultation with the Director, Dr. Peter. S. Murano. "I look forward to the closer association between CAHRL, HLKN, and the Institute," says Dr. Murano. Dr. McKyer is appreciative and looks forward to the new challenge. "I am greatly humbled by Dr. Murano's faith in my ability to help him lead this Ins ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/lab_profile___child___adolescent_health_research_lab The Child & Adolescent Health Research Lab (CAHRL) was founded in 2003 under the direction of Dr. E. Lisako J. McKyer, MPH. The mission of the CAHRL is to have every child reach their optimal health by creating awareness of child and adolescent health issues through the achievement of four goals: Establish multidisciplinary collaborations with other entities in order to improve child and adolescent health; Improve knowledge on child and adolescent health through research; Disseminate information through health education; and Translate research findings into practice. At the heart of the lab is the child and how outside factors can influence their lives. One of the jobs of the CARHL is to examin ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/singer_named_montague_cte_scholar Dr. John Singer (Sport Management) has been named the College Of Education and Human Development's 2009-2010 Montague-CTE Scholar. This award recognizes tenure-track assistant professors who have already demonstrated a commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching. The award includes a $5,000 grant for each recipient to encourage further development of the undergraduate teaching experience. ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/lab_profile___laboratory_for_the_study_of_intercollegiate_athletics Looking at the official name of the department, a person may fail to realize what actually encompasses the "Department of Health & Kinesiology." It, of course, means health and kinesiology and their various fields. It also refers to the physical education activity program, of which every Texas A&M University student must take part of. However, one of the most active divisions on campus is also here. The division of Sport Management is a growing field that offers students professional preparation in the field of sports. For some, this means working with professional sports, minor league sports or any of the venues that sport provides. However, one of the labs that serve students who have an interest in the collegiate sporting world is the Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics (LSIA). Established in the fall of 2003, the LSIA is an interdisciplinary research and training laboratory. The primary mission of the LS ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/eta_sigma_gamma_chapter_wins_national_excellence_award (July 27, 2009) The Alpha Pi Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma at Texas A&M has been selected to receive the Eta Sigma Gamma Chapter Excellence Award. It is the highest award that an ESG Chapter can receive and a reflection of the Chapter's hard work. The objectives of Alpha Phi Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma are to provide the opportunity to become acquainted with students whose professional interests are in the health discipline, to keep members informed of trends in health science and to encourage people to enter the health science field. Faculty sponsors Matthew L. Smith and Beth McNeill expressed their feelings to the Department of Health and Kinesiology for its support the past year. "Your contributions have enabled our Chapter to flourish." Smith said. "Thank you, we are truly appreciative of the Department's generosity!" The Chapter will be presented with the award at the 2009 Eta Sigma Gamma meeting that is being held in conjunction with the American School He ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/tahperd_award_winners_announced (July 13, 2009) The following individuals with ties to our department were recently announced as TAHPERD Award winners. We send our congratulations to: Dr. Ping Xiang. She is the recipient of the TAHPERD Scholar Award. Her selection was based on qualifications in terms of training, experience, publications and presentations at the state and national level. Renee Bonin is the winner of the Emerging Professional Award. Renee is a 2006 graduate of the kinesiology teacher education program. She is currently teaching in Katy, Texas. Dr. Pug Parris was the winner of the David K. Brace Award. The award is for people "who are clearly outstanding in the profession, who exemplify the best in service, teaching, and/or administration, who are recognized by members as noteworthy leaders, and whose lives and contributions inspire others." Dr. Parris received her Ed.D. degree in physical education from our department. All three individuals will receive their awards at the 2009 ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/lsia_awards_most_economically_efficient_athletic_departments (June 29, 2009) Utah State has been crowned the national champion of the Excellence in Management Cup, presented by Texas A&M's Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics. The purpose of the EM Cup is to determine which athletic departments win the most championships in accordance to financial expenditures. The EM Cup awards athletic departments that win the most conference and national championships, while at the same time have the lowest expenses. Kent State, Louisiana Tech, University of Akron, and BYU round out the top five schools. Results also show that the major universities may not be running as economically sound as some smaller universities. The top ten ranked departments are all from non-BCS affiliated universities. The highest ranked BCS program hails from Oregon at number 11. The EM Cup also recognized winners in other conferences participating in Division I (FBS) sports. The University of Florida was named winner of the SEC, Louisvil ... http://hlknweb.tamu.edu/articles/two_hlkn_faculty_named_spring_2009_system_teaching_award_winners Two Health & Kinesiology faculty members received the Spring 2009 Student-Led Awards for Teaching Excellence (SLATE), a student-selected honors program created by The Texas A&M University System. Dr. Buzz Pruitt and Dr. Susan Wagner were winners in the "next 15 percent category." They both received awards between $2,500 to $5,000. SLATE was launched in Fall 2008 by the Texas A&M System to financially reward and recognize the system's top teachers. This past spring semester, the program expanded to include all campuses in the A&M System. Awards are based on rankings from evaluations created and administered by students, with weighting for factors such as class size. ...