TEXAS A&M DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & KINESIOLOGY

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Interim President, Texas A&M UniversityDR. MARK A. HUSSEY

Dean, College of Education and Human DevelopmentDR. DOUG PALMER

Head, Department of Health and KinesiologyDR. RICHARD KREIDER

Division Chair, Health EducationDR. SUAN WARD

Division Chair, KinesiologyDR. CHRIS WOODMAN

Division Chair, Physical Education Activity ProgramMR. FRANK THOMAS

Division Chair, Sport ManagementDR. MATT WALKER

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4243 TAMUCollege Station, TX 77843-4225

(979) 845-3109

http://hlknweb.tamu.edu

2 | On The Move

4 Welcome from the Department Head

6 The New Home For AESL

8 Spring Lectures

9 Student Profile: Katie Elmer

10 Bon Voyage Buzz

12 Bulk Up With Caffeine?

13 Pictures from Spring 2014

14 International Impact

16 Riding for the Fallen

18 Preparing for 2022

19 The Success Continues

20 Faculty Profile: Martha Muckleroy

21 External Funding

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Writing, Photography, DesignDELL BILLINGS

EditingDOMINIQUE BENJAMIN

ALLISON LAROCCA

ON THE COVERThe centerpiece of the Texas A&M campus is the

Academic Building. It was completed in 1914. Silver Taps, a tradition that pays tribute to the

passing of a current student, takes place in front of the building.

(Photo by Stuart Seeger)

LEFTPersonal trainer Britny Fowler helps wake

up the audience before her presentation at the 2014 Distinguished Lecture Series.

Summer 2014 | 3

HOWDY!

On The Cover: The new Physical Education Activity Program Building at sunset. Read more on page 2.

Welcome to our most recent issue of On the Move! We started OTM a few years ago to let our students, faculty, alumni, and colleagues know about some of the amazing activities, programs, and research that are taking place in the Department of Health & Kinesiology (HLKN) at Texas A&M.

This fall, we welcome a record of over 1,000 new freshman, undergraduate transfer students and new graduate students to our department! In total, we anticipate we will have about 3,200 undergraduate majors, 300 graduate majors, and 300 minors studying in our department this fall. We also welcome the following new faculty and staff:

Health Education Division

-Dr. Heather Clark – Clinical Assistant Professor – Texas A&M Health Science Center -Dr. Meagan Shipley – Clinical Assistant Professor – Indiana University -Dr. Adam Barry – Associate Professor - University of Florida -Dr. Shevon Harvey – Associate Professor - University of Connecticut -Dr. Yorghos Apostostolopoulos – Associate Professor – UNC-Greensboro (January 1, 2015 start)

Sport Management Division

-Dr. Sloane Milstein – Clinical Assistant Professor – Southern Connecticut State University -Dr. David Waltemyer – Clinical Assistant Professor – Texas A&M University-Commerce -Dr. Steven Salaga – Assistant Professor – Florida Technical Institute

Kinesiology Division

-Diane Cahill Bedford – Clinical Assistant Professor - Dance Science – San Jacinto College

PEAP Division

-Marybeth Henthorne – Instructional Assistant Professor – Texas A&M -Alexandra Pooley-Detwiler – Instructional Asst. Professor - Newquay Tretherras Academy, England -Michelle Strong – University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Staff

-Anthony Angelella – Advisor I - Seton Hall University -Bryan Fruge – Business Administrator – College Station -Kathleen Roche – Academic Coordinator – Texas A&M -Alex Sullins – Administrative Assistant

We are also excited about the recent opening of the West Campus Performance Enhancement Center that houses our Applied Exercise Physiology Lab, FitLife programs, and provides some performance assessment space for our Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance. Last May, the Board of Regents also approved building a 22,000 sf. Human Clinical Research Center that will house our Exercise & Sports Nutrition Lab, the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, and serve as a university core facility for conducting human clinical research. We will be working with architects this fall to develop detailed drawings and hope to break ground in the spring or early summer of 2015.

Finally, our faculty and students continue to make a significant impact through their scholarship and professional service. Our faculty has increasingly produced record levels of publications, presentations at national meetings, and external funding commitments. They are also actively engaged in numerous leadership positions within professional organizations. Next spring, we will invite distinguished scholars from Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools to participate in our Distinguished Lecture Series. Our vision is simple. We aim to not only be the largest health & kinesiology department in the nation but the best!

I hope you enjoy reading about some of our activities. I encourage you to stay up to date about our department by visiting our website and following us through our social media outlets. Together, we are building truly a remarkable department that is transforming lives in numerous ways!

Gig ‘em,

Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D., FACSM, FISSN, FACN Professor & Head

4 | On The Move

Concussion Research

Huffines Discussion 4Coming November 21, 2014Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

http://huffinesinstitute.org/

Concussion Research

Human Performance

Performance Arts

Summer 2014 | 5

The New Home For AESL

6 | On The Move

After saying goodbye to their home since 1985 and sharing space with other labs in the department, the Applied Exercise Science Laboratory (AESL) is in its brand new building.

The AESL is part of the new 22,000-square-foot Player Development Center-West Campus (PDC-WC) facility. Occupying approximately 5,000 square feet, it has over $500,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment to support exercise science research.

The lab works closely with Aggie Athletics, conducting tests on elite athletes to study training factors in relation to nutritional supplements.

The new lab incorporates many advances in technology including an ultrasound system for cardiac and muscle imaging studies, an aquatic treadmill with cameras below the surface, new equipment to analyze body composition and a BL-2 Level blood chemistry testing area.

During construction of the PDC-WC, which houses weight facilities for over 400 Texas A&M student-athletes from 14 sports, AESL faculty and students shared space at Research Park with the department’s Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory (ESNL) and the Center for Translation Research in Aging and Longevity (CTRAL). The $8.7m lab will replace facilities demolished as part of the redevelopment of Kyle Field.

The goal of the AESL is to train graduate and undergraduate students for professions in clinical exercise physiology, sports medicine, sports

physiology, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, worksite fitness and health promotion.

The AESL also serves the community through the FITLIFE Exercise Program. Local firefighters, law-enforcement, and employees and students of Texas A&M are given the opportunity to receive a sophisticated and economical assessment of cardiovascular disease risk. The program also conducts exercise classes to improve overall fitness.

Researchers in the AESL work to generate new knowledge for the enhancement of human health, physical fitness and quality of life through physical activity and healthy nutrition. They also work to understand the role of proper nutrition and exercise in the achievement of optimal health and the different health benefits from certain types of exercise, including aquatic, aerobic, and resistance.

The lab is under the direction of Dr. Stephen F. Crouse, with faculty support from Dr. Steven E. Martin and Dr. John S. Green.

For more on the research projects associated with the Applied Exercise Science Laboratory, go to http://appliedexerciselab.tamu.edu/ or scan the QR code below.

The New Home For AESL

Summer 2014 | 7

The Spring LecturesIn addition to the numerous lectures, student events and performances each semester in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, two events were responsible for taking the message of research and service beyond the Texas A&M campus:

Distinguished Lecture Series

In its fifth year, the HLKN Distinguished Lecture Series once again welcomed leaders in the science, sports and fitness to campus.

This year’s topic was “International Perspectives in Health, Kinesiology and Sport.” Speakers included:

• Dr. Nicolaas Deutz, Director, Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity (CTRAL), Texas A&M University

• Dr. Judith C. Rodriquez, Professor and Chair, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, University of North Florida

• Dr. C. Keith Harrison, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

• Study Abroad Panel Discussion with Dr. Rick Kreider (Moderator), Dr. Paul Batista, Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique, Dr. Lei-Shih Chen, Dr. E. Lisako J. McKyer, Dr. Mike Sandlin and Dr. Christine Tisone

• Dr. Claude Bouchard, Professor and Chair, Pennington Biomedical Research Center at LSU

• Billy Kuenzinger, President and General Counsel, BDA Sports Management

• Brian Eaton, Lead Marketing Specialist, USAA’s NFL Sponsorship Program

• Britny Fowler ‘06, Personal Trainer, Star on A&E’s “Heavy”

• Dr. Collins Airhihenbuwa, Professor and Head, Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University

• Women’s Health & Fitness Panel Discussion with Monty Sharma, MBA, CEO, Curves International, Hannah Karass, VP of Programs and Science, Curves International and Katie Mitchell, Research & Fitness Director, Curves International

• Bill Potts-Datema, Acting Senior Advisor, CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health

• Dr. Barry Franklin, Professor, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University

NSCA Texas State Clinic

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Texas State Clinic, “Basics and Beyond: Implementing Foundational and Specialized Program Training Strategies” brought a record crowd to learn about effective strength and conditioning training programs. Speakers included faculty from various universities and the private sector:

• Lance Walker, Director, Michael Johnson Performance Center

• Dr. Lori Greenwood, Director, Masters of Science in Athletic Training Program, Texas A&M

• Gregg Frashure, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, College Station High School

• Richard Burnett, Assistant Director Strength & Conditioning, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

• Michael Brungardt, CEO, Brungy Athletics

• Dr. Jonathan Oliver, Assistant Professor, TCU

• Dutch Lowy, CSCS, USAW-1, Cross-Fit Level-1

Students from the Department also were given the opportunity to present research to the visiting coaches and fitness personnel:

• Sammy Springer, “Warrior Yoga Impacting Sports Performance”

• Elfego Galvan, “Nutritional Fueling Today’s Athlete: Do Supplements Count?”

• Chelsea Goodenough, “Progressive Core Strength & Stability Inclusion”

• Jeremy Carter, “The Final Preparation for Athletic Competition - Warm-Up, Flexibility, & Stretching: A Detailed Review and Recommendations”

• Phillip Scruggs, “Developing Reactive Speed That Transfers”

• Kyle Levers, “Little League To The NCAA: Youth Sports Performance Development and Specialization”

The clinic was sponsored by the Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development and NSCA, a nationwide nonprofit educational organization and authority on strength and conditioning.

· · · · · · · · · · · ·

8 | On The Move

Where you are from? I am originally from Pleasanton, Texas. It’s a small farming and ranching community about half an hour south of San Antonio.

What brought you to Texas A&M and the Department of Health and Kinesiology? Our department has one of the best kinesiology programs in the state, so I was very drawn to all that they had to offer. The opportunity to gain exposure to (and even participate in) high-impact research at a Tier I institution while still enjoying small classes in my major, receiving excellent advising, taking advantage of opportunities to get involved and give back, gaining experience in personal training and clinical settings through the Applied Exercise Physiology (AEP) program, and the enveloping myself in the rich tradition that exists at A&M is something you don’t find everywhere.

What is your degree in?

I completed the Applied Exercise Physiology program, and earned my B.S. in Kinesiology in May of 2014.

What awards have you received while at Texas A&M?

I was awarded the Association of Former Students Memorial Scholarship, became a Texas A&M Undergraduate Research Scholar, a Texas Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (TACSM) Undergraduate Scholar, TACSM Major of the Year (two times) and was granted a scholarship through the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) to spend a summer studying abroad in Australia.

I was on the A&M Kinesiology Quiz Bowl Team for two years, and this year we won both the TACSM and National ACSM competitions. The research I presented at the 2013 TACSM annual meeting won first prize in the undergraduate division, and my oral presentation won first prize in my subject area at Texas A&M’s Student Research Week. I was named the James. B. Kracht Student Leader Award Distinguished Honor Graduate, and graduated as an Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student in the College of Education and Human Development.

What do you consider your proudest moment at A&M?

I think my greatest accomplishment is the personal, professional, and academic growth I’ve allowed myself to experience during my undergraduate education. I’ve developed so much as a person and as a leader at A&M, and that transformation makes me proud of who I am. I’ve become more independent, more compassionate, and much more hard-working, and regardless of anything else that happens in my life, those are traits that I know will serve me well in whatever I do.

What are you doing now? Three weeks after graduation, I started classes at Texas State University in their Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. I am so excited to have the opportunity to combine all of the clinical experiences I’ve had in and out of the AEP program at A&M with those to come while at PT school.

Why should a student decide to go through the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M? I could talk forever about all of the reasons someone should come to the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M. Ultimately, what made the final decision for me is the unique combination of traits that you won’t find anywhere else but here. Many universities that exist across the country that are Tier I research institutions. Most have opportunities for involvement in service learning and leadership outside of the classroom. Many offer intimate class sizes or good academic advising. Some others have great facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. Many universities have rich traditions and valuable history. Almost all of them have great faculty, staff, and students.

However, it’s my belief that nowhere else can you find the combination of all of those valuable qualities in one place. Aggies are truly special people, and I cannot encourage you enough to come to Texas A&M and take hold of all of the incredible opportunities we offer. It drastically changed my life, and I sincerely hope the same for all prospective students.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would be remiss without mentioning the most valuable part of my A&M education, which is the wonderful group of people I met along the way. It certainly wouldn’t have been the same without the friends I made in and out of classes, the professors and staff members I worked with and loved ones that supported me throughout my journey. Thank you all so much.

· · · · · · · · · · · · Student Profile: Katie Elmer · · · · · · · ·

Summer 2014 | 9

Bon Voyage, BuzzDr. Buster “Buzz” Pruitt reflects on his health education career

Mentioning Dr. Buster Pruitt’s almost three-decade career at Texas A&M University would not raise many eyebrows, as he is known by another name:

Buzz.

Buzz has taught countless students over his years of service to Texas A&M. Retiring this past May, Buzz has been part of a dramatically transformed department and field of health education.

Where It Began

Buzz was born in Arkansas but a tragedy in the Lone Star State brought his family here. In 1947, an explosion of ammonium nitrate stored in ships near Texas City led to what is considered the worst industrial accident in U.S. history. The explosion left 581 dead and over 5,000 injured. Workers were needed as part of cleanup efforts and Buzz’s father moved his family to Galveston County, along the Texas coast, when Buzz was six months old.

“I consider myself a Texan,” Buzz says. “My wife Katy begs to differ.”

Buzz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and master’s degree from what was then Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).

Like many educators, his career began when he taught in secondary schools. Buzz’s first job was as a science teacher at an inner city school in San Antonio, after which he taught health in Lewisville. It was when pursuing his doctorate at the University of North Texas that he gained interest in a new field he knew little about: Health Education.

Buzz’s career took him to the University of Oregon as a professor for seven years.

“I never thought I would leave the state,” Buzz says. “I was a Texan, I married a Texas girl and my vision didn’t cross the Red River.”

He then was hired as executive director for the American Association for Health Education, where he worked for three years. The job was fulfilling, but required long periods of travel, which concerned a member of the family.

“When I came home from a trip, my middle child commented on how I missed all of the kid’s birthdays that year,” Buzz says. “So we had a family meeting and decided to put out feelers and see what was possible.”

The job possibilities led him to a meeting at the world-renowned Cooper Institute. Founded in 1970 by the “father of aerobics,” Dr. Ken Cooper, the institute promotes and houses research on health and fitness. However, Buzz felt he may be a better fit for academia so, on the way to Cooper, he made a detour to College Station. The rest, as they say is history.

A Special University

Texas A&M was a fascinating place when Buzz arrived in 1985.

“Even then I could see that this school had more potential than any other school in the state,” Buzz says.

Buzz served two times as division chair for health and safety and health education and the director of the graduate program in HLKN. When he started, the work ethic under then department head Len Ponder was clear: all of our students will be

leaders. In addition, tenured track faculty were expected to put in eight hours a day.

“It wasn’t an overt agenda, it was taken for granted,” Buzz says. “The quality of student was always way above most universities.”

Health education and the department as a whole began to mature into a world-renowned program during Buzz’s time.

10 | On The Move

Summer 2014 | 11

The first research projects were proposed and granted in the late 1980s, including a state drug curriculum contract for Buzz. He attributes this departmental change to former department head Bob Armstrong.

“I was on the search committee and the only vote against him,” Buzz says. “He and I have talked and laughed about that. But he turned the ship and established the emphasis on technology and research.”

“What I Really Learned”

The research sometimes reached controversial topics. In the mid-90s, Buzz and HLKN’s Dr. Pat Goodson, participated in research relating to abstinence education in Texas.

“I started asking them how they knew if it was working,” Buzz says. “It seemed to be a fair question.”

Student data was collected statewide over several years. The final results concluded that abstinence education was not having an impact.

“We were able to suggest that initiatives in Texas did not make much of a difference,” Buzz says. “The state was wasting a lot of money and we had good evidence of it.”

When results were provided to media, it made the front pages of national newspapers and CNN.

“The ticker on CNN said ‘From conservative Texas A&M University, abstinence education was not effective,’” Buzz says.

As a result of the research and not bowing to political pressures to change the result, Buzz was honored with the AHHE Scholar Award. He considers that one of the highlights of his career.

Health Matters

The biggest change that Buzz says he has seen in the world of health education is technology.

“When I was at the University of Oregon, my startup package included a typewriter,” Buzz says. “We pooled travel funds to buy a hand calculator for a statistics teacher.”

The other major change is in the prevention side of health care. Much of the job growth in health has come from this area. An aging population makes for new opportunities in health wellness and disease prevention.

“Students are looking for careers that will grow and they are in the prevention and health care fields,” Buzz says. “When you deal with prevention, there are not issues, they are opportunities.”

The Next Stage

Buzz doesn’t look to sitting on the front porch, drinking tea in his new role of retired professor. He has always been the type of person to have interests away from work, so retirement will be a continuation of that.

“Some of my colleagues can’t retire because if they do, they don’t exist,” Buzz says. “I have an identity outside of professor and a personality that transcends the campus.”

With a daughter moving to Switzerland and planned getaway with Katy to Nova Scotia, travel is on top of the agenda. Buzz will also continue work with his church, including helping a colleague start a youth chorus for the community.

“When you take all the skills you developed as a university professor and apply it to something like a local church, it works,” Buzz says.

Buzz will admit to not knowing exactly what he will be doing in retirement, but he believes that he’s going to engage in many activities.

“A friend says that retirement means that you are ‘time-rich,’” Buzz says. “I may miss teaching, but if I do I’ll find other routes to teach, because I do enjoy the learning experience.”

“In a class of 25, there are 26 learners. I learn with my students.”

Buzz and the final class he will teach at Texas A&M.

8

Drinking a cup of coffee is not what people usually think of as exercise, but some researchers believe that caffeine, an ingredient used in many supplements, can impact muscle growth.

Steve Bui, a doctoral student in the Human Countermeasures Lab, is currently looking at caffeine’s effect on muscle recovery and if it could be be used to grow muscle during training.

“The goal is to get typically bigger muscles.” Bui says. “We are looking at how much caffeine intake you have and how it can affect muscle growth.”

Bui’s interest in this research began at Kent State University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“When I was doing my undergrad, I met a researcher that was doing caffeine research,” Bui says. “Looking at what is currently available, everything is based on endurance exercise. There is little to no research on the strength training side.”

In Bui’s study, college-aged men are given a supplement with a high caffeine dosage or placebo with no effect. Participants wait an hour to allow the caffeine to saturate and then exercise.Muscle biopsies are taken after the workout to determine the rate at which protein turns into muscle.

The data from this research is currently being analyzed with results pending in the coming

months. The goal is to have scientific backing to accompany claims of muscle growth supplements in the marketplace.

“I like the idea of diversifying the research side of supplementation,” Bui says. “I’m a big supplements guy and I believe so many are being used incorrectly.”

Bui has received grants from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Sydney and J.L. Huffines Institute and the Texas branch of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

He credits Dr. Steve Riechman, director of the Human Countermeasures Laboratory, with helping him achieve his research goals.

“He lets you be creative with your own thought process so he’s a very good mentor and guide,” Bui says. “That’s exactly what many grad students need. He pushes you to self-think.”

Bui would like to stay in the academic world once he is done at Texas A&M, hopefully in a teaching capacity. He believes moving here has given him the opportunity to work with many leaders in the world of kinesiology.

“There are a lot of people in our field with a lot of research experience in bone, muscle, cardiovascular and lipid metabolism,” Bui says. “There’s an expert in each field in our department.”

Bulk Up With Caffeine? Supplement Research Looks at the Effects of Ingredients on Muscle Growth

12 | On The Move

The Texas A&M Quiz Bowl team was crowned national champions during the 61st Annual

ACSM Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The team consists of faculty sponsor Dr. Jim Fluckey Katie

Elmer ‘14, Lily Ogden ‘14, Megan Cole ‘14.

Eduardo Munoz, a junior health major, was accepted into Columbia

University’s Summer Public Health Scholars

Program. His internship will include training at Columbia and the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Department hosted a record crowd of strength and conditioning decision makers at the 2014 National Strength and Conditioning

Association Texas State Clinic.

Dr. E. Lisako J. McKyer, associate professor in health education, is the recipient of a Distinguished

Achievement Award in Graduate Mentoring from The Association of Former Students.

Many exciting researchers and leaders came to campus to speak to students, including sports agent and inspiration for the movie

Jerry Maguire, Leigh Steinberg.

Guests from the Texas A&M Foundation visited HLKN facilities, including the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab (ESNL), the Center for

Translational Research in Aging and Longevity (CTRAL) and the PEAP Building.

Summer 2014 | 13

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As the world continues to get “smaller” and more connected, it is imperative for future researchers and leaders to learn more about experiences outside of Texas and the United States.

This is true for students of Akilah Carter-Francique, an assistant professor in Sport Management. She and associate professor John Singer took students to the Sport Studies and Higher Education Conference, held at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We marketed the study abroad as an opportunity to go to the conference and participate in service learning,” Akilah says.

The theme of the conferences was Science, Higher Education and Business: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Sports Studies, Research and Development.

Students on the trip were a mix of disciplines and levels of college careers, highlighting an interdisciplinary approach with links to sports. Of the ten students, two were undergrads, four master’s students, and four others doing Ph.D. work.

“One student was from higher education, one from urban education and two from health education,” Akilah says. “The rest were sport management majors.”

International Learning

A bulk of the trip was dedicated to the conference itself. It gave students an opportunity to see how their education and research engagement applied in a real world forum. For students who had never attended a research conference, this gave valuable experience and interaction with leaders in their field.

Some walked in with what they wanted to do and others were enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen. The first day of the conference everyone seemed to stay together; by the end of the conference, the Aggies were all attending various sessions meeting colleagues. For students outside of sport management on the trip, roundtable discussions on social issues and inequities in sport was not something expected.

“The students commented how they didn’t know we talked about sports this way,” Akilah says. “They thought it was just ESPN, reading stats and counting numbers.”

Into the Community

Learning was not only held inside the conference doors. A service learning initiative element of the trip had the students helping with a local sport organization.

International ImpactSport Management Faculty and Students Participate in Conference in Trinidad and Tobago

14 | On The Move

13Summer 2014 | 15

About Trinidad and Tobago:• Twin islands off the northern edge of South America

• Covers an area of 1,980 square miles

• Red, white and black flag symbolizes warmth of the people, water and the earth

The School Girls Rugby League of Trinidad and Tobago is a youth club sport for teenage girls, started by a current rugby player on the national team Kwanieze John.

The group from Texas A&M was asked to come in and participate in a review their organizational structure. Students also talked about the relation of young women in sport participation with health implications. Conversations with coaches and administration developed into an action plan for the league.

“They want to ultimately expand to more schools,” Akilah says. “So they asked us to help find out what they are doing well, what they can improve and what we can expand upon.”

This field research closely follows a class project students have during the semester, where they to go into a sport organization and assess an organization’s best practices.

Even for students who have not taken this particular class, it proved to be a great way to see sports from a development, education and health standpoint.

“It gives students the ability to utilize their knowledge to contribute to a community, a cultural and education exchange,” Akilah says. “And understand what you’re learning in classroom applies in a real world setting.”

This work has continued, through emails and Skype discussions, to keep track of rugby team’s progress, and assist when needed.

Cultural Immersion

Another positive effect for the students is the cultural engagement they experienced. Students toured the country and visited national landmarks. They also dived into local cuisine, including roti (similar to a tortilla) and doubles, a flat bread sandwich with chick peas and sauce. The students also engaged their counterparts from Trinidad and Tobago, comparing what issues are focuses in their countries.

“Everyone was open to the culture and appreciative to hear other voices outside of what they hear in the United States and Texas A&M,” Akilah says.

With students continuing their work on projects started at the conference, Carter-Francique believes that this is only the beginning for what will be great careers in the sports field for her students.

“I’m proud of our students and proud to be a professor at Texas A&M University, knowing what we were doing as professors is really hitting home,” Akilah says. “It’s just a proud moment for me as an educator.”

How do you honor the memories of those lost in the line of duty? Recently for some, it meant a bike ride across two states to raise money for their families.

Over 40 firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel from across the country participated in the Brotherhood Ride, a bicycle event held in memory of 19 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year.

The Ride has been happening every year since 2008 with the goal to provide financial and emotional support. In the past six years, cyclists have donated close to $200,000 to families of fallen first responders.

One of those participating was Joe Dannenbaum, an instructional assistant professor in the Physical Education Activity Program. In addition to his duties teaching classes such as strength training, running, racquetball and sport conditioning, Joe is a volunteer firefighter in Brazos County. He had not heard of the ride until he received a call from his sister, who expressed interest.

“My sister called me because she heard about it on the radio,” Joe says. “I told her good news and bad news; I’m qualified to ride, but she was not.”

All riders must be police, firemen or EMT workers. Each rider is also required to raise $500 for families. Joe applied and was accepted to the ride, giving him about five weeks to train for the event.

The 34 riders and 16 support personnel traveled for nine days over 800 miles. Wearing “The Heroes Are On Our Backs” shirts with the names of all 19 firefighters who passed away, different days were dedicated to those lost.

The Ride started south of Baton Rouge in the city of Plaquemine, Louisiana. From there, they went to Eunice, then crossed into Texas to pay respects in the towns of Jasper, Alto, Tyler, Dallas, West, Bryan, Montgomery and finally Houston. Efforts were made to ride as close as possible to the anniversary of the firefighter’s deaths.

Riders usually spent 100 miles a day riding with 25 miles before the first stop. That much time pedaling on a bike was a challenge at times for Joe and the rest of the riders.

“Some of the guys struggled the first few days,” Joe says. “We said the (fallen) guys were throwing in extra challenges like sun, heat and rain just to see if we were dedicated. Some people had motivating stickers on their bikes, such as ‘SHUT UP LEGS.’”

Riders spent nights off the road at local churches, fire stations and other areas provided by the communities they were visiting. This cut down on costs, enabling more money to be given to families. They rode by the scene where the firefighter was lost and talked about what happened with local officials. Joe says that all the cities showed great generosity, to the point where one fire chief commented about the next time they came through.

16 | On The Move

Riding For The Fallen

Summer 2014 | 17

Riding For The Fallen

Joe Dannenbaum (above) was one of the participants in the Brotherhood Ride (below), benefitting families of firefighters who died serving their communities.

“Not that we don’t appreciate the hospitality, but you don’t want us coming to your town because it means that someone has died,” Joe says. “If we never had to do it again, that would be ideal; but that’s not how it works.”

For Joe, the ride was personal. He was trained by two Bryan firefighters injured in the Knights of Columbus Hall fire earlier this year. Lt. Greg Pickard and Lt. Eric Wallace, 32 and 13 year veterans of BFD respectively, died in the fire. Firefighter Ricky Mantey Jr., 30, and Probationary Firefighter Mitch Moran, 21, were both injured.

“If it wasn’t for Mitch Moran, I wouldn’t have gotten released as a firefighter as quickly as I did,” Joe says. “He was working at a lumber yard while going to school and in the time he did have off, he would help train me. Ricky Mantey Jr. trained me at the Fire School course. That was part of the reason I wanted to ride.”

Like at a firehouse, the Brotherhood Ride gave Joe the feeling of having a whole new family – one so strong that he’s already looking forward to the next chance to participate.

“We laughed a lot and cried a lot,” Joe says. “It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to do it again.”

1616

The eyes of the world will soon turn to Qatar, home of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As the host nation, Qatar receives an automatic berth. That means a new focus on athletes and their physical health.

Sports researchers from around the world, including Texas A&M University, are working with their soccer players to help improve comeback times from injury.

Hamstring injuries are a well-known problem for soccer players on all levels, accounting for 15% of injuries. The Department of Health and Kinesiology is part of a grant from Qatar’s Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence, designed to develop research focusing on analyzing strategies to help and prevent hamstring injuries in soccer players.

“The over-arching goal of this project is to tackle this issue and lead the way in setting new prevention strategies for both young and adult players,” Jose Alberto Villanueva of Aspire Academy says.

The research project titled, “A multi-continental approach to advance exercise methods and technologies to promote general health and sports performance,” is an effort between HLKN’s Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory (ESNL), Aspire Academy, NASA

and Sweden’s Karoliska Institute. FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most popular soccer teams, is also part of the three year collaboration.

The study will focus on collecting data from youth and senior players, as well as players from the semi-professional and professional ranks.

Dr. Richard Kreider, head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology and director of the ESNL, traveled to Qatar to participate in the official announcement. This research would not be possible without the knowledge from the ESNL and all associated partners.

“We are working with four global organizations that are experts in their specific areas, and the overall experience and outcomes gained from this exciting collaboration will be of great value to Aspire Academy.” Valter Di Salvo, Aspire Academy’s director of football performance & science says.

This research can lead to a successful campaign and performance for Qatar’s national team as they prepare to compete in the World Cup. There are positive outcomes for players worldwide as well.

New training techniques developed are likely to help prevent hamstring injuries, helping both amateur and professional players.

Preparing For 2022 Department Awarded Collaborative International Grant for Sports Research

18 | On The Move

The Success ContinuesCommit To a Growing HLKN

The Texas A&M Department of Health & Kinesiology is dedicated to providing the highest quality of education for its students. Crucial to the educational experience is outstanding faculty, state of the art equipment and facilities, and scholarships for students who cannot afford tuition.

Lecture series and symposiums, which bring in top industry leaders to share their knowledge with our students, are also vital to our learning culture. This quality of education is made possible with the help and generosity of some very special people.

Giving Options

Endowed Scholarship Program

For some students, a scholarship may determine whether or not they can achieve their dream of earning a college degree. Help our future health, kinesiology and sport management leaders who are in need of scholarships today. The impact of your generosity will be felt for generations to come.

• Permanent endowments can be established for $25,000 or more• Scholarships may be established in your name, the name of a loved one, or someone you wish to honor• Payment may be made in one or multiple payments over a five-year period• Gifts to establish scholarships are eligible for corporate matching gift programs• Scholarships are awarded to highly motivated students within the Department of Health & Kinesiology

Faculty Fellowship Program

You can create a gift to inspire faculty research and teaching through a faculty fellowship. As a department, we are committed to providing resources and recognition to well deserving professors

who are preparing our students for important careers in health, kinesiology and sport management.

• Permanent endowed gift of $100,000. A permanent endowment can be established over a period of up to five years. You have an option to give an additional $5,000 each year to allow for the fellowship to be awarded during the year preceding full funding of the endowment.

• Non-endowed gift of $15,000 funding three $5,000 annual awards

Building Endowments

Another way to give back is by naming a building or center in honor of a family member or friend to the university. Endowments are available for our the PEAP Building, the upcoming Human Clinical Research Center, as well as the Texas A&M Coaching Academy, the Transdisciplinary Center for Health Equity Research (TCHER), the Center for Sport Management Research and Education (CSMRE), the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab (ESNL) and the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity (CTRAL).

For information on how to give to the College of Education & Human Development or the Department of Health & Kinesiology please contact:

Jody FordDirector of DevelopmentCollege of Education & Human Development

802 Harrington Tower4222 TAMUCollege Station, TX 77843-4222

979.847.8655j-ford@tamu.edu

Summer 2014 | 19

Some faculty members at Texas A&M University are well known for their style of teaching, others are known for their great personalities but more are known for the effect they have on students. Martha Muckleroy is known for all three.

As part of the Physical Education Activity Program, Martha is involved with giving students an appreciation of outdoor activities and lifetime skills. She teaches many classes, including volleyball, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and skiing. Martha’s career path, however, is not one that is normally traveled.

The Nacogdoches native received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in accounting.

“I got out of school, went to Fort Worth and worked for an accountant,” Martha says. “I didn’t enjoy that and earned my real estate license. Then I went into business with my dad and we built several convenience stores.”

After those adventures, Martha decided she wanted to teach. So she went back to college and received a teaching certificate. She taught business classes and coached volleyball at Dulles High School in the Fort Bend ISD for several years.

Martha then decided that she wanted to get a master’s degree in outdoor education, which brought her to Aggieland. Being a non-traditional student taking classes at night, her first impression of Aggieland was similar to that of many students today.

“I would come to campus at night for class and it would look like the middle of the day,” Martha says. “There was no parking, even on a Tuesday night. But I loved the spirit & commitment everyone has to being the best they can be.”

After receiving her degree, Martha was hired by Emma Gibbons to teach in PEAP in 1994; she has been here ever since.

Teaching With an Academic Twist

Martha currently teaches KINE 308 (Integrated Adventure Education), a requirement for kinesiology teacher certification majors. This class helps students look at teaching with a new lens.

Surface tension, a physics concept, can explain how a canoe floats. Fire building is similar to the metabolism of a body; large sticks (healthier food) will burn longer than smaller ones (candy).

“It gives a non-traditional approach to physical education,” Martha says. “Most of our students grew up in the gym or on the field and have rarely been exposed to outdoor education skills or this type

of teaching.”

Martha is a believer that the best way to learn to teach is by actually teaching. Each semester, her students, under her guidance, are responsible for teaching 100 seventh graders and 100 eighth graders during a 3-day field trip.

“In this three (credit) hour class, students get 15 hours of teaching practice,” Martha says.

Martha also teaches Fundamentals of Coaching, part of coaching minor in the department. The purpose is to discuss ethics and a coaching philosophy.

“Students originally hear the word ‘philosophy’ and they give you a list of their rules,” Martha says. “We talk about ethics and how easy one can be derailed without a philosophy.”

Adventures All The Time

Martha has been involved with Camp Adventure since she first started teaching at Texas A&M. Now in its 31st summer of operation, the two-week day camp is sponsored by the Department of Health

and Kinesiology, in cooperation with the Office of Continuing Education.

Campers from 8-12 years old are divided into groups by age and gender, participating in sports and outdoor

Faculty Profile:Martha Muckleroy

20 | On The Move

Recent External FundingBLOOMFIELD, SUSAN (PI, Professor and Assistant Provost)Iron Overload and Oxidative Damage: Regulators of Bone Homeostasis in the Space Environment8/1/2013 - 7/31/2016 $193,596NASA-Washington

BLOOMFIELD, SUSAN (PI, Professor and Assistant Provost)Resistance Exercise and Bisphosphonate Therapy as a Novel Pre-Treatment to Prevent Bone Loss 7/1/2013 - 6/30/2014 $5,000American College of Sports Medicine

CHEN, LEI-SHIH (PI, Assistant Professor)Establishing a Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Support Program within Chinese American Community in Houston and Austin Areas of Texas 3/1/2012 - 2/28/2015 $8,280Light and Salt Association

CUNNINGHAM, GEORGE (PI, Professor and Assistant Dean)Using a Community Health Development Intervention to Build Community Capacity, Core Research Project within the Center for Community Health Development

9/30/2011 - 9/29/2014 $9,742DHHS-PHS-CDC

DEUTZ, NICOLAAS (PI, Professor and Director)Arginine Metabolism in Older Adults 6/1/2013 - 5/31/2014 $13,067University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

KREIDER, RICHARD (PI, Professor and Department Head)Curves Women’s Health & Fitness Initiative 6/1/2013 - 12/31/2014 $700,224Curves, International

KREIDER, RICHARD (PI, Professor and Department Head)Effects of Tart Cherry Supplementation on Markers of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage4/1/2013 - 3/31/2014 $93,728Anderson Global Group, LLC

KREIDER, RICHARD (PI, Professor and Department Head)Woodbolt International Research & Development Program 10/1/2013 - 8/31/2016 $421,641

adventures. They get to shoot BB guns, do archery, visit the ChallengeWorks course, arts and crafts, map and compass learning and pickleball, which is a sport that builds hand-eye coordination.

Camp Adventure is a service project for the department that shares the resources and the talents of the university with the local community, supports the pursuits of people interested in outdoor education, and gives college students the opportunity for teaching and leadership.

“If you’re taking care of twelve, 9-10 year old boys you’re learning some leadership skills and strategies for teaching,” Martha says.

As with all jobs, there are situations out of the control of anyone. This is true, especially with weather. Martha faced a challenge of teaching water activities during a five-year drought. With the lake at Riverside campus

well below normal levels, Martha relied on the local community involvement established earlier to fine a new place for students to learn and enjoy the water.

“I have found a local private entity that has donated 1000 acres to a nature conservatory,” Martha says. Thirty acres is covered in water and the conservatory is allowing us to use that lake. It’s quite the gift.”

Even with all the hats that she wears year round, Martha considers her biggest accomplishment as an educator is her ability to relate to students.

“I have many students contact me once they begin their professional life who want resources or advice on how to start an outdoor education program,” Martha says. “I care deeply about their experiences and what they take with them.”

Summer 2014 | 21

Recent External FundingWoodbolt International

LAWLER, JOHN (PI, Professor)Developing Novel, Targeted Countermeasures to Reduce Oxidative Stress and Skeletal Muscle Atrophy During Microgravity 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2015 $50,000NASA-Washington

LAWLER, JOHN (PI, Professor)FLUCKEY, JAMES (Co-PI, Associate Professor)Redox Regulation of nNOS Translocation and Muscle Atrophy During Mechanical Unloading 7/1/2012 - 8/23/2015 $133,317NASA-Washington

LIGHTFOOT, JOHN TIMOTHY (PI, Professor and Director)Undoing the Damage: Reprogramming the Effects of Early High Sugar/High Fat Diets Through Exercise9/15/2013 - 9/14/2015 $187,080 DOD-Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity

MARTIN, STEVE (PI, Clinical Associate Professor)Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department - Precinct 3 Clinical Testing Program 9/1/2013 - 1/31/2014 $5,795Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department

CROUSE, STEPHEN (PI, Professor)The City of College Station Fire Department Cardiovascular Health Profiles1/1/2011 - 12/31/2013 $20,000City of College Station

CROUSE, STEPHEN (PI, Professor)MASSETT, MICHAEL (Co-PI, Associate Professor)Porter Physiology Development Fellowship 2013-2014 Academic Year for Joshua Avila 9/1/2012 - 8/31/2014 $28,300American Physiological Society

MCKYER, E. LISAKO (PI, Professor and Director)Building Capacity in Rural and Underserved Communities: Center for

Community Health Development9/30/2009 - 9/29/2014 DHHS-PHS-CDC

MCLEROY, KENNETH (PI, Adjunct Professor) Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) Project: Statewide Evaluations of the Implementation of the Texas Safe Routes to School and the WIC Healthy Food Policies 9/1/2013 - 8/31/2014 $14,727Texas A&M University Health Science Center

SHEA, CHARLES H. (PI, Professor)The Behavioral and Electromyographic Effects of Normal and Augmented Feedback on Motor Control in Older Adults 6/1/2013 - 5/31/2014 $1,980North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity

WELTY-PEACHEY, JON (PI, Assistant Professor)Sport for Social Change During a Complex Era: The Importance of Leadership 6/1/2013 - 5/31/2014 $1,822Florida State University

WELTY-PEACHEY, JON (PI, Assistant Professor)Sport for Social Change: A Longitudinal Impacts Assessment of a Sport-for-Homeless Initiative5/1/2013 - 4/30/2014 $13,608TAMU Office of the Vice President for Research

WOODMAN, CHRISTOPHER R. (PI, Associate Professor and Division Chair)Post-Translational Mechanisms Regulating eNOS Function and Endothelium-Dependent Dilation in Senescent Skeletal Muscle Resistance Vessels 7/1/2013 - 6/30/2015 $25,000 American Heart - South West

Recent annual external funding expenditures for the Department of Health & Kinesiology at Texas A&M University is near $2 million.

22 | On The Move

Recent External Funding Stay Connected With HLKNStay connected with friends! facebook.com/HLKNAggies

Summer 2014 | 23

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