Reviewing the Year Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies

by Joy DeSensi, department head

As we end another academic year, I am reminded once again of the numerous accomplishments and excellence of the faculty and students of the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies. The department has 21 full-time faculty members who have been active in their professional endeavors this year. The results of their scholarship inclued two books, 28 refereed and other publications, 20 presentations, 12 published abstracts, and nine funded external and internal grants.

In addition, two faculty members serve as editors of major journals-Dr. Ed Howley, editor of ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal, and Dr. Joy DeSensi, editor of Quest. Three faculty members hold major leadership positions in national, international, and regional professional organizations: Dr. Craig Wrisberg, president of the Association for the Advancement of Sport Psychology; Dr. Ed Howley, president of the American College of Sports Medicine, and Dr. Dixie Thompson, president of the Southeastern Association of the American College of Sports Medicine. In addition, Dr. Edward Howley was chosen to serve on the President's Council for Physical Fitness.

Physical Education Activity Program (PEAP)

Mr. Emile Catignani directs the department’s very successful Physical Education Activity Program. Over 5,000 university students, faculty, and staff are enrolled annually in this academic credit program. The PEAP offers a wide range of lifetime activities such as yoga, golf, tennis, martial arts, stress management, and various fitness activity courses.

Sport Management Program

The Sport Management Program has had another successful year. Under the direction of Dr. Buck Jones and with the support of Dr. Dennie Kelley, Dr. Rob Hardin, Mr. Emile Catignani, and Mr. Jim BeMiller, J.D., the program continues to prosper, preparing leaders for the global sports industry.

The adidas Partners in Sports Program is a unique cooperative venture involving adidas America and the University of Tennessee’s professional preparation program in sport management. Partners in Sports encourages the development of leaders for the growing sports industry to elevate the status of the sport management program at UT by providing opportunities for students. Partners in Sports strongly encourages practical experiences and professional development of students. The levels of partnership include student partners, alumni partners, corporate partners, and professional athlete partners. Dr. Buck Jones, the adidas Partners in Sports Program director, has worked diligently to promote this cooperative venture, which also supplies resources, professional journals, and a resource center. In addition, Partners in Sports funds student participation in professional seminars, meetings, and conferences, and affords deserving students an opportunity to receive scholarship funds. The Development and Advisory Board of this organization includes Mr. Jim Bletner, director of UT men’s athletics concessions and souvenirs; Mrs. Joan Cronan, UT women’s athletics director; Mr. Tyler Johnson, assistant director of UT men’s athletics operations; Mr. Jason Silver of the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center; and Dr. Buck Jones, program director.

The Exercise Science Program Area

The Center for Physical Activity and Health has a number of accomplishments for the 2004–05 academic year. Highlights include the following:

• The center and its faculty—Dr. Dixie Thompson, Dr. Ed Howley, Dr. David Bassett, Dr. Diane Klein, and Dr. Eugene Fitzhugh—were an active part of the East Tennessee Healthy Weight Initiative. This project brought researchers, business people, clinicians, teachers, government officials, and others together with public health personnel to develop strategies to combat the obesity epidemic in East Tennessee.

 

Contact CEHHS

335 Claxton Complex
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718