Welcome to the fourth annual edition of The EXSS Zone. We continue to re-ceive positive feedback from alumni and friends of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, who enjoy keeping up with the events of the department’s faculty, students, and staff. Like many of you, I have enjoyed watching Exer-cise and Sport Science at Carolina grow into one of UNC’s most successful and respected units over the past 15 years. We have made tremendous progress during this period, and given our outstanding faculty, students, and staff – the sky’s the limit. We have great potential for advancing our local, national and international reputation with the exciting and very timely research we are con-ducting. Additionally, the achievements of our graduates carry our name out into the world beyond Chapel Hill and continue to add credibility to our disci-pline and department.

I am especially proud of our accomplishments as a department over the past five years. Some of the highlights include the following:

• We have consistently added tenure track and fixed term faculty positions.• We successfully retained faculty members who were recruited by other universities.• We increased research funding three-fold compared to the previous five years.• We have successfully managed the tremendous growth in our undergraduate enrollment.• We have named the department’s first two endowed professorships, and recently established a third to be named later.• We increased graduate student stipends, helping us to recruit the most competitive students in our discipline and increased student diversity within the department.• We revised our EXSS curriculum and core to better meet the needs of undergraduate students interested in the discipline and sub-disciplines of exercise and sport science.• We established our first endowed scholarship, the “Hyatt Scholarship”, and have awarded this merit-based scholarship in each of the last three years.• We secured funding to create a new Sports Medicine Center, set to open in February 2010.• We secured funding to add laboratory space in Fetzer, and to renovate the Woollen classrooms, faculty offices, and laboratories which will be completed in August 2010.

Many of these accomplishments became possible through establishing collaborations with colleagues in other College departments, Division of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Student Af-fairs, School of Public Health, School of Law, Department of Athletics, and Campus Health Services. Over the next year, we are committed to developing stronger faculty collaborations between EXSS sub-disci-plines (Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, and Sport Administration) and across other units on campus to secure research funding. These interdisciplinary endeavors, pooling of resources, and external fundraising is critical to our continued success. Our goal is to continue attracting the brightest and most promising students to EXSS, and to provide them with a stimulating and challenging academic environment.

In closing, we appreciate the continued efforts of our alumni and friends in helping to maintain a strong depart-ment, and provide good opportunities for our students. Thank you for your many contributions to Exercise and Sport Science. Best wishes for a great start to the New Year, and we hope that many of you will visit us in 2010.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. GuskiewiczKenan Distinguished Professor and ChairDepartment of Exercise and Sport Science

FROM THE CHAIR Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz

2 GIVING BACK: Alumnisponsorshipiscriticialtothefuturestudentsandintegrityof theEXSSprogram.Learnhowyoucangive.

3 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Living In The Moment- DebMurray,a24yearfacultymemberandrecentcancersurvivor, wearsmanyhatsandthroughherpersonalhealtheducationclasses andcommunityinvolvement,sheismakingadifferenceinthelivesof others.

4 THE AGING BRAIN SPECTRUM: Isyourbrainfit?Learnwhatbrainresearchisbeingconductedonthe playingfieldandwiththeagingpopulationinourlabs.Drs.Bonita MarksandKevinGuskiewiczaremakingstridesandgetting attentionfromthemediafortheirfindings.

6 COMINGS AND GOINGS: TheDepartmentofExerciseandSportSciencewelcomes newfacultyandstafftotheEXSSfamilyandsaysfarewelltotwo veteranfacultymembers.

7 EXSS GAINING GRANT MOMENTUM: TheDepartmentofExerciseandSportSciencehasbeen successfulinacquisitionofgrantmoneytofundresearch.

8 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Empowering Success Whatfiveformerundergradandgradstudentsaredoingto empowersuccessintheirclientsandintheircareers.

10 EXSS CONNECTED: CollegeSportResearchInstituteannouncestheirupcomingspring conference.andseedetailsforthe2010HumanMovementScienceDay and2010BlythLecture.LookupallEXSSupdatesonFacebook,Twitter, andBlipTV.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Exercise and Sport Science

Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill209 Fetzer Gym - CB # 8700Chapel Hill, NC 27599www.unc.edu/depts/exercise

ProfessorsKevin M. Guskiewicz, Kenan Distinguished ProfessorAnthony C. HackneyRobert G. McMurray, Smith Gunter Distinguished ProfessorWilliam E. Prentice

Associate ProfessorsBonita MarksDiane GroffJoseph MyersBarbara OsborneDarin PaduaEdgar W. Shields, Jr.

Assistant ProfessorsClaudio BattagliniTroy BlackburnCoyte CooperRichard SouthallSteve Zinder

Senior LecturersSherry SalyerMeredith Petschauer

LecturersAlain AguilarRebecca BattagliniMarian T. HopkinsShelley JohnsonJason Mihalik (Visiting)Debra MurrayKristin OndrakJose SandovalLee SchimmelfingDeb Southall Deborah Stroman

Adjunct Assistant ProfessorsElizabeth HedgpethDaniel Hooker

Adjunct Associate ProfessorsGualberto Cremades (visiting)Laurence Katz

Update your alumni information at http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/Online%20Forms/EXSS%20Alumni%20Update.htm

“Midway through my sophomore year, I learned of a scholarship that the department of Exercise and Sports Science gave in memory and honor of Ronald W. Hyatt. The award recognized the most outstanding Junior EXSS major not only for academic excellence, but for the qualities that that indi-vidual had in common with the late Ronald Hyatt. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of that scholarship, which decreased the amount of money that my parents had to pay for my senior year of college. Yet, and more importantly, the award/scholarship made me realize that my hardwork was truly appreciated and recognized by my peers and professors. Thus, the Ronald W. Hyatt Award signifies success and dedication in a variety of ar-eas in life, and I was blessed enough to be recognized as successful in many of those areas.”

-Steve Ingram 2009 Hyatt Scholarship Recipient

Areas of Giving

Thank you to our Fred Mueller Gathering Place Donors! John Billing Elaine Blyth Bixiones Erik & Shirley Christenson

Barbara Deering Joseph & Helen KlitschFred & JoAnn Mueller

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GIVING BACK

EXSS Faculty/Student Research Trust Fund- To promote research in Exercise and Sport Science. This trust fund supports our annual graduate student research awards, travel to scientific meetings, and small grant support for student research. http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/EXSS_gift/faculty_student_trust_fund.htm

Ronald W. Hyatt Undergraduate Scholarship- Named in honor of one of Carolina’s “Priceless Gems”, this merit-based scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding undergradu-ate Exercise & Sport Science major. The scholarship honors an outstanding EXSS junior, and pro-vides a $2,500 award toward the senior year of study. http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/EXSS_gift/hyatt_scholarship.htm

Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Center- A brick campaign to provide funds for the completion of the Sports Medicine Center is currently un-derway. The facility, located in the center of campus, will provide UNC-CH with a premier clinical and educational facility through a unique collaboration between the Department of Athletics, Department of Exercise and Sport Science and Campus Health Services. The bricks available for$200.00 each , will allow you include your name of a friend or family member on a lasting marker. To donate go to: http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/unc/sports/sports-med/auto_pdf/brick_form http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/EXSS_gift/stallings_evans.htm

Mueller’s Gathering Place- The Department of Exercise and Sport Science is recognizing one of its finest professors, and former Department chair, Dr. Frederick O. Mueller, by establishing a gathering place in his name between Woollen and Fetzer Gyms. This gathering place will include reading benches and a landscaped garden with flowers and shrubbery that will grace our complex. This area will give students, faculty and staff an aesthetic place to gather, read, and socialize. http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/EXSS_gift/muellers_gathering_place.htm

Areas of Giving

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Living in the MomentBy Rebecca Battaglini

As a wife, a mother, a faculty member, and a volunteer in numerous organizations – there would not seem to

be enough time to do what she does. But when asked what she has learned thus far in her life, Deb Murray answers, “the necessity to live in the moment”. Whether it is preparing her classes for the nearly 300 students that she teaches each semester, or watching her daughters’ school events, Deb is quick to remind herself that the only time that matters is now.

In March 2008, this motto became ever-real to Deb. She had breast cancer, but the cancer did not have her – and she was going to do everything in her power to defeat this invasion. She went through 2 surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation and although this last year was challenging, she successfully worked through it with faith and the wonderful support from family, friends, and the depart-ment. Thankfully, she is currently free from the cancer.

To help with her recovery, Deb enrolled as a participant in the Get REAL & HEEL Breast Cancer Program housed within the EXSS department. The side effects of the cancer treatments caused Deb to lose a good portion of her balance, stamina, and strength. The Get REAL & HEEL program helped her to gain all of those back along with her emotional confidence. She is quick to mention that her personal fitness trainer, Eric Martin, and the program coordinators, Dr. Battaglini and Dr. Groff, focused on her as a “person”, not as a “cancer patient”, and she saw every other client being treated as part of a caring family. Through her 24+ years with the department, Deb has seen progressive changes and helped others embrace those changes. Deb first started in the department in 1985 as a Visiting Lecturer who was hired to develop the undergraduate internship program for the Ath-letic Training Specialization. After being promoted to Lecturer and growing the program to approximately 50 students per year, the undergraduate program was very close to becoming a nationally accredited Athletic Training Education Program when Deb stepped out of her full time roll to tend to family matters. She continued teaching on a part-time basis for ten more years working with the athletic training students while at the same time developing the department’s health education program. Deb has been back full time and running full speed ahead for 4+ years now. Currently, Deb is the Health Education Coordinator and teaches the Personal Health classes (each with 80-100 students) during the academic year.

Along with the personal health classes, Deb also teaches the adapted physical education and adapted lifetime fitness classes. The adapted class is a physical activity course designed for students with disabilities ranging from chronic diseases to mild/severe inju-ries. Much time and love is spent developing personalized programs to allow the students to meet their fitness goals within their capabilities along with providing them the tools and confidence necessary to continue their progress after leaving the course. She has truly developed into a strong woman who has learned to live in the moment. Deb cares for her students in the same way they care for her. She gives back to the University and local communities in a variety of ways (see below).

Hats of Deb Murray•Faculty & Academic Advisor for the Pan-Hellenic Sorority, Phi Beta Chi. In the past two years, Deb has volunteered approximately 10 hours per week to advise these women through their academic, philanthropic, service and sisterly endeavors. Last year, Deb re-ceived the “Outstanding Faculty/UNC Advisor” Award; the sorority was presented with the “Most Community Service” and the “Most Improved GPA” awards. •Christmas Giving ProjectThis will be the 11th Christmas that Deb has organized the departmental service project to reach 2-3 families in the community each year that are in need of assistance, and to fulfill each family member’s need/want gift list.•American Red Cross28 years of continuous service to the Orange and Durham County Chapters as an Instructor-Train-er and Instructor. The courses taught have included First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard Training, Swimming and Babysitter Training.•H.O.P.E. WorldwideThis organization provides disaster relief, child sponsorship, and educational programs worldwide for vulnerable individuals. Deb has worked locally for many years to organize and administer im-munization drives to serve under-privileged adults and children.•KenyaKids Child Sponsorship ProgramThis program provides orphans and vulnerable children in Nairobi, Kenya with food, medical care, and uniforms for school. Deb was involved in the development of this grass-root organization and serves throughout each year sponsoring a child and organizing the shipment of educational materials, sports gear and clothing to hundreds of children in Nairobi.

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The Aging Brain Spectrum..... Investigating the Role of Exercise on the Aging Brain.

Information Provided by Jason Mihalik and Kevin Guskiewicz

The Sports Medicine Research Laboratory (SMRL), housed in Exercise and Sport Science, has continued its work studying the effects of sports-related concussion

on a number of different populations including collegiate athletes, adolescent student-athletes, and retired professional athletes (through the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes). A concussion is a type of brain injury that usually results from a direct hit to the head.In some cases, however, indirect forces brought on by a sudden stop of the body’s forward motion (e.g. a full body tackle, or a sudden vehicular stop) may cause a whiplash mechanism resulting in brain injury. Studying the many factors contributing to this type of injury has allowed us to better understand the many aspects of this condition.

For the past six years, Drs. Kevin Guskiewicz and Jason Mihalik have been studying the biomechanics of head injuries in collegiate football players. In short, they have embedded small accelerometers—devices that measure the sudden movements of the head—in the helmets of football players. In so doing, they are able to capture the severity of head impacts and where on the head the impact is sustained, and have done so for over 250,000 head impacts sustained during games and practices. When an athlete is injured, sensitive medical imaging of the brain is carried out by way of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Diffuse Tensor Imaging (DTI). Through their ongoing clinical outreach program, extensive pre-injury and post-injury neurocognitive and balance testing on all UNC athletes is also per-formed. They are then able to piece together the entire concussion event for a given athlete by having advanced knowledge of that athlete’s injury history, capturing the biomechanics of what caused the injury, seeing what is occurring within the brain through imaging, and understanding how all these factors contribute to clinical recovery as measured by our neurocognitive and balance testing. Over the past four years, they have also extended this work to youth ice hockey players in the Greater Raleigh area. This work has been featured as part of three companion papers published in Neuro-surgery in December 2007, and work is in progress to submit three more companion papers for peer review by the end of 2009. This work was featured in the November 1, 2009 issue of the The New Yorker magazine. See: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell

Through the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, Dr. Guskiewicz and his team of UNC researchers have studied over 2,700 retired National Football League players. In particular, their work has identified a dispro-portionately higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment onset among retired NFL players with a history of concussion when compared to those retirees without a concussion history. These conditions are precursors to Alzheimer’s disease and the team’s work is critical in helping both younger active athletes and older retired athletes seek the appropriate medical care to help prevent the late-life consequences of repeated concussions. Through an industry-funded study, the CSRA is investigating the potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) on curbing the onset of dementia and mild cognitive impairments, and hopes to determine the usefulness of these supplements in reversing some of

the brain damage these retired athletes may have suffered during their playing careers many years ago. By study-ing these athletes well beyond their playing years, the CSRA hopes to highlight a number of consistent trends among these athletes so that better preventive and prophylactic care can be given to current athletes who share some of the same characteristics retired players reported having during their playing careers. The Center’s work has recently been featured in USA Today, New York Times, and The New Yorker. A recent 60 Minutes story on this topic highlighted a 2005 Neurosurgery published by Dr. Guskiewicz and his colleagues on the association between repeat concussion and risk for neurodementia.Many student-athletes, especially those at the high school level who may not have access to a certified athletic

trainer, do not report their concussions to coaches or parents. In the young athlete, playing with symptoms related to a concussion can have catastrophic outcomes. Sadly, a number of young student-athletes have died in the state of North Carolina due to secondary impacts sustained while symptoms related to an original injury had not fully subsided. Doctoral candidate Johna Register-Mihalik is attempting to understand why high school athletes don’t report these injuries. She is performing a national study that will address the important aspects of players and coaches’ knowledge of concussion, and address the behaviors surrounding why athletes are not reporting the condition. This work will be followed up with effective educational interventions designed specifically to address voids in awareness of concussion, increase the reporting of these conditions to coaches, parents, and athletic trainers, and ultimately improve the safety and outcome of young athletes suffering from concussion.

From the Sport World...

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The Aging Brain Spectrum..... Investigating the Role of Exercise on the Aging Brain.

Information Provided by Bonita Marks

Bonita Marks’ interest in aging has been life-long, stemming from personal familial experiences with older parents as well as teaching exercise classes to community-dwelling and institutional-

ized elderly. While it has been accepted for some time that exercise is good for the heart, utilizing physical exercise to enhance brain health is a relatively recent therapeutic modality – but the “how it works” remains a mystery. Being an exercise physiologist , she is interested in discovering the long-term chronic effects exercise has on the brain.

Her earliest work in this area investigated how regular physical activity could play a role in attenuating the so called “natural aging decline” of cerebral blood and cognitive function. Armed with a Junior Faculty Award plus funding from Nursing and the Social Science Depart-ments, as well as cooperation from UNC’s Emergency Medicine Department (Dr. Laurence Katz), the Peripheral Vascular Lab (Ms. Patti Daniel, RN) and Chapel Hill’s North Side Community Center’s Older Adult Exercise Program, she put together one of the first longitudinal pilot studies investigating the role of 6 months of physical activity on cerebral blood flow. They measured cerebral blood flow at rest and during cognitive tasks using a transcranial doppler, a non-invasive method of blood flow velocity detection. The results suggested that regular participation in aerobic activity at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes a session for 6 months prevented the decline in cerebral blood flow and cognitive function in comparison to those who did not have a regular exercise program.

However, that study was very small and raised many more mechanistic questions which prompted her into taking a 2-year leave of ab-sence from UNC to complete post-doctoral training at Duke’s Center for Aging. She received a neuroimaging award for her post-doctoral research from the New York Academy of Science, American Federation of Aging, Gen-eral Electric, and the Siemens Corporation (manufacturer of MRI equipment). The Duke program expanded her training into the cognitive neurosciences and propelled Bonnie into my current research upon resuming her position at UNC – exercise neuroscience, or more specifically, the impact of exercise on brain structure and function.

This time, seed funding was awarded to her by UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), as well as the University Research Council and the Arts & Sciences Inter-disciplinary Research Initiative. Her study, “Role of Recreational Sport Participation On Cerebral White Matter Integrity In Older Adults.” was a collaborative process involving individuals from Emergency Medicine (Dr. Laurence Katz), Radiology (Dr. Keith Smith), and Psychology and Computer Science (Dr. Martin Styner). Several scientific presenta-tions and theses have been carved out of that research, she was inducted into the Phy-sician and Sports Medicine’s “Scholar of the Month” Program and she is now publish-ing findings in scientific journals while awaiting word on external funding proposals.

Research suggests that a positive relationship may exist between exercise and cognitive function, particularly executive function (e.g. plan-ning, coordinating complex tasks, etc). Brain imaging studies have shown that cortical volumes and cerebral white matter (CWM) integrity in the prefrontal brain regions associated with executive function decline with aging. Furthermore, CWM loss appears to be non-linear, with a more rapid decline occurring after age 60.Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can provide detailed delineation of CWM pathways based on rates of microscopic water diffusion and may enable early detection of micro-structural changes related to cognitive decline. A higher degree of CWM integrity is represented by a greater degree of fractional anisotropy (FA) of diffusion. This preliminary research by Marks and colleagues suggests that higher aerobic fitness levels are associated with greater CWM integrity in the cingulum region of the brain. Further, it appears that obesity may have a negative impact. The cingulum is a bundle of white matter fibers that encircle the corpus callo-sum. Neural connections traverse through the cingulum bundle and continue on to other cortical structures, thus the cingulum is a critical

hub of interconnectivity for the brain. Maintaining the structural integrity of this brain structure is crucial for brain health and cognitive function and it appears that aerobic exercise is a simple, inexpensive way to accomplish this.

...To the Real World.

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Coyte Cooper, Ph.D.Assistant Professor

Coyte Cooper, PhD is in his first year as an Assistant Professor of Sport Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While he has taught a variety of Sport Management courses, his area of teaching specialization focuses on the business aspect of sport (e.g., Sport Economics/Finance, Sport Market-ing). With an emphasis on issues in college athletics, Coyte has a directed line of research focusing on the challenges facing nonrevenue sport teams.

In particular, he is currently working closely with the National Wres-tling Coaches Association to develop research to help enhance the sustainability of college wrestling programs. He received his Doctorate in Sport Management from Indiana University-Bloomington in the fall of 2007.

Gualberto Cremades, Ph.D.Visiting Associate Professor

Dr. Cremades is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science this fall.Dr. Cremades received his Ed.D. in Physical Educa-tion with a specialization in the Psychological Bases of Movement and his Ph.D. in Kinesiology with anem-phasis in Research Statistics and Measurement. Both degrees were conferred at the University of Houston. He developed his research and consulting skills dur-ing his doctoral internship at the ManchesterMetro-

politan University in England and mastered the use of EEG technology during his post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida International University.Dr. Gualberto Cremades’ experience lies in the area of sport and ex-ercise psychology. His teaching experience includes courses such as psycho-social aspects of sport, applied sport psychology, exercise psy-chology, motor learning and control, psychophysiology of human per-formance, research methods, and advanced statistics. He has taught at the University of Houston (Texas, USA), Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester, UK), Florida International University (Miami, USA), and Barry University (Miami,USA).

FACULTY UPDATEComings and Goings

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Dr. Robert McMurray and Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz receive named professorshipsThe Department is very proud to announce two endowed named professorships that were awarded this year. Dr. Robert McMurray was named the Kay Smith Gunter Term Professor at UNC Chapel Hill effective 7/01/09. Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz was named the Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham Distinguised Professor appointed 7/01/09. Both McMurray and Guskiewicz’s credentials were reviewed by many respected faculty and peers on and off campus and were approved by the Board of Trustees after their nomina-tions were forwarded by the Provost. We hope to continue this trend of honoring our distinguished faculty in this very special way. We have many faculty worthy of such honors.

Dr. Troy Blackburn- Teacher of the YearTroy Blackburn was awarded the 2009 Excellence in Undergradu-ate Teaching Award nominated and selected by students. Con-gratulations to Troy for a job well done!

Barbara Osborne Added to NACWAA BoardBarbara Osborne, Esq., Associate Professor of Sport Administra-tion was added as Legal Counsel to the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administators Board of Directors (NACWAA). She has directed the graduate and undergraduate programs in sport management, and teaches a variety of sport management courses. Her current research focuses on legal is-sues in intercollegiate athletics, Title IX, and women’s issues in sport. Prior to her appointment at UNC, Barbara worked for 14 years as an administrator in intercollegiate athletics. She has also had experience as a coach, public relations coordinator, television sports commentator, publisher and sports information director. As an attorney, Barbara is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Massachusetts. She has served as the Chair of the Sport and Entertainment Law section of the North Carolina Bar Association, as well as a member of the Sport Lawyers Association and the Sport and Recreation Law Association. A life-long athlete, Barbara has been recognized for her contributions to sport by the Kenosha (WI) Sports Hall of Fame and the MAIAW Rowlands Award for Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Sports.

Bonita Marks Added to ICAA Visionary BoardThe International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), an association that supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for age 50-plus adults, has named Dr. Bo-nita Marks, an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology in the Exercise and Sport Science Department at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill to the new ICAA Visioning Board. From CEOs to researchers to wellness directors, the leaders appointed to the ICAA Visioning Board will drive ICAA 2020, an initiative set up to create a vision for the future of active aging. This diverse and dynamic advisory group will help steer this vision for the industry.

Thanks & FarewellDr. Fred Mueller and Dr. John Silva both retired from the depart-ment this past summer. Both of them leave behind quite a legacy and have touched many lives during their tenure. We wish them all the best in their retirement.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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Success in Numbers... How Five EXSS Graduates Have Empowered Themselves to Empower Others for Success. By Amy Tufts, ‘93

Empowering success….one client at a time. This is the goal of five former EXSS alumni who currently work at Empower Personal Training in Durham, NC. How did they get there? How did they empower their own success? The proof is in the program! When each of these alum were about the key to their knowledge and success, hands down it was the top notch training and education they received at UNC in Exercise and Sport Science. Read on to see where they have come from and where they are now and what they believe are the toughest health concerns facing our nation today. These EXSS alums are making a difference!

Jessica Bottesch and Ronda Williams formerly Ronda Michaels had no idea that when they shared a suite on the 8th floor of Morrison Dorm as best friends and study partners, that it would lead to owning and managing a successful personal training business 11 years later. Here is a bit of their story:

Jessica Bottesch, MA, LAT, ATC, CSCS ’97, ’99 grew up in Maine and California, and was an active child and a competitive athlete for most of her youth. It wasn’t until she was injured in high school that she began to learn about the field of athletic training from a personal standpoint. It interested her so much that she became an athletic training assistant in high school. That’s where her career as a tarheel started. Jessica completed both the undergrad and graduate EXSS and Athletic Training degrees here at UNC-CH. Jessica got a taste of the fitness professional world as a work study student working at the Student Recreation Center completing her grad internship. She was an assistant director and organized the first personal training program for campus recreation. During this time, she was also working part time as an athletic trainer for Chapel Hill High School. Jessica is co-owner of Empower Personal Training. She and Ronda Michaels founded the company in 2004 and share responsibility for all aspects of the business. Her main focus is on the advertising, marketing and client relationship functions. Additionally she oversees staff development and ensures a consistent, but tailored approach to personal training

How has your degree from EXSS impacted your career?Jessica: My UNC education is the foundation and driving force behind all I’ve accomplished professionally. I cannot say enough about the whole EXSS program and specifically the Athletic Training program (both undergrad and grad) at UNC from the class work, to the field experience, from the superb professors to the high caliber classmates, from the top¬notch athletics to the overall pride of being a tarheel my time spent studying, working and living at UNC were some of the best years of my life! What do you feel are the biggest health concerns facing our nation?Jessica: The age of the computer and convenience foods is killing our nation. We have become more sedentary in our professions, less active in our pastimes, addicted to high-fat, high-sugar processed foods, more fat, less healthy! What do you feel are the key ingredients for wellness and good health? Jessica: Poor diet and lack of exercise account for more than 400,000 deaths annually. Exercise has been shown to improve medical outcomes in chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. I think this is where we need to start, before prescribing pharmaceuticals, the health and medical world should focus on preventive measures prior to when ailments/diseases arise. The two most important factors DIET and EXERCISE are totally controllable and should be taught and encourage from a very young age- reinforced by parents, schools systems and the health/medical community.

Ronda Michaels Williams, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS ’97, was a youth athlete and played sports all her life. She was an assistant athletic trainer for her high school and thought at that time that pre-med, orthopedic surgery or maybe physical therapy might be her career goals for the future. Her parents owned their own businesses and Ronda learned very early to have a committed work ethic. Ronda earned an under-graduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science with emphasis in athletic training. Upon graduation she worked in several different settings including clinic, high school and eventually a small Division II college (Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC) as an athletic trainer. Then in 2003 she decided to return to graduate school at NC State for a master’s degree in Park, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Sports Management. While in graduate school she worked as an independently contracted personal trainer and at that time started working with her business partner and friend from freshmen year at UNC to conceptualize their vision of starting a private health and wellness company together. Since opening the door of Empower Personal Training, Ronda has managed all sides of the business and in doing so sought the help of the UNC Small Business Development Center by completing an 8 month program to learn the ins and outs of how to start and run a business from business writing to planning to personnel and beyond. Now with 15 total staff and over 285 active clientele, Empower is doing well and looking to expand.

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What is your fitness philosophy both personally and professionally?Ronda: I believe that overall health and wellness is a journey and a lifelong pursuit. I believe we should incorporate physical activity into our daily life and try to eat a well-balanced, whole foods diet most of the time. I believe that there are no short-cuts or diets and that it takes commitment. determination and ownership to achieve your health and wellness goals. I try to teach my clients that there is so much more to health and wellness than losing weight. It’s about finding physical activities you enjoy and incorporating them into our daily lives and to apply the 80/20 rule when it comes to nutrition. Aim to eat a well-balanced portion-controlled, whole foods diet 80% of the time and allow yourself to splurge in moderation only 20% of the time. Life is all about balance! How has your degree from EXSS impacted your career?Ronda: Well first of all I graduated from the finest university in the land. I truly feel like my degree in EXSS provided me with a solid foundation of human anatomy, physiology, human movement, and practical experience that has transcended all of my work settings.

Michael Babbitt, M.F.A, M.A., CSCS, ACSM-HFI, USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Master Trainer ’08Michael’s background is rather eclectic. He has a Master of Fine Arts in theatre as well as a Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology from UNC-CH. Michael also comes from a military background having served in the 82 airborne special operations in Italy. Michael knew the importance of physical fitness from a personal standpoint to be in military ready condition. Throughout his post military years, he got out of shape and consulted a trainer for help. Michael became so fascinated by the questions in his mind about the science behind exercise and the human body that he trained himself for a Ironman Triathlon by reading about 10 books in a year. Despite his personal fitness success, he still had a thirst for science knowledge to be able to help train other people so he pursued his masters in exercise sci-ence and exercise physiology. This became his new career goal and passion to help others. Michael’s expertise lies in endurance athlet-ics and his focus is on endurance sports, although general conditioning has also become a strong interest for him professionally.

What do you feel are the biggest health concerns facing our nation?Michael: Apathy. As much as obesity (and by proxy Type II diabetes) and lack of exercise appear to be the biggest concern, it is our na-tions apathy - the lack of any drive, desire or arete, that is the main contributing force to the external health concerns we have.

What do you feel are the key ingredients for wellness and good health?Michael: Commitment, Prioritization, Consistency and Determination!

Jamie Ives, MAJamie finished his MA in Exercise Physiology in 2008. Jamie was born and raised in North Carolina and UNC was the only school that he applied to and wanted to go to. He was not admitted into the Masters program the first time, but after persistence and patience he was admitted the second time he applied. While here he was greatly influenced by Dr. Battaglini to love research. Upon gradua-tion, Jamie worked at a local Raleigh Fitness Center to pick up practicalexperience and then joined the group of Empower in 2009.

Patty Shoaf, BA, CPT, Personal Trainer/Certified Cycling Coach

Patty Shoaf, With over 14 years experience in the fitness field, Patty’s expertise and knowledge enable her to assist clients with a full range of fitness needs. Patty guides her clients through every aspect of their workout, maximizing their training time and helping them to perform better than ever. From the competi-tive athlete to those simply wanting to get fit, Patty has the know-how to help all of her clients succeed. She takes the guesswork out of the equation leaving only measurable results. Patty joined the Empower team in 2006. She is a professional cyclist. She is currently training for Aquabike events, which involve swimming and biking. Patty earned the bronzemedal as a member of Team USA Duathlon. During this season, she was the 3rd ranked duathlete in the United States, and was named to “Inside Triathlon’s” IT list.An avid athlete, Patty is a former collegiate basketball player, the winner of several natural bodybuild-ing competitions, and a former She is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and American Council of Exercise (ACE) as well as USA Level II certified cycling coach. Pattyreceived her B.A. in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill209 Fetzer Gym - CB # 8700Chapel Hill, NC 27599

EXSS Connected: Upcoming Events

February 26, 2010 2010 Human Movement Science Research Day UNC-Chapel Hill’s doctoral students in Human Movement Science will host “Human Movement Science Research Day” beginning at 8:30am at the Watts Alumni Center. Faculty and students from programs North Carolina and Virginia will participate in this annual event.

March 30, 2010 2010 Carl S. Blyth Lecture Dr. Ann McKee, Boston University Neuropathologist and Co-Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, will present this year’s Blyth Lecture on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Fetzer 109 at 11:00 am. Dr. McKee will discuss her groundbreaking research on degenerative brain diseases in athletes.

April 21-23, 2010 2010 Scholarly Conference on College Sport We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting the 3rd “Scholarly Conference on College Sport” from at the The William and Ida Friday Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We hope that you will plan to join us for the 3rd annual event for faculty, athletic administrators, students, sport practitioners, and the public interested in research, theory, and critical thinking about college sport and surrounding issues. This exciting and informative conference will provide an open forum for independent, organized and focused cross- disciplinary research regarding college sport in the United States. The Conference will provide attendees with information and experiences that you cannot get anywhere else through prominent keynote speakers, invited panels, and two days of juried academic presentations. You won’t want to miss it! Registration will begin on November 15th.” Please be sure to visit the following links for additional information and updates: http://www.unc.edu/sportadmin/ http://www.twitter.com/csriconference http://www.CSRIconference.blip.tv

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Happy Birthday Human Movement Doctoral Program

This year marks 10th anniversary of the inception of the Human Movement Doctoral Pro-gram. During that time, 24 graduates of the program have gone on to productive academic and clinical careers. In July 2009, Dr. Joseph B. Myers, an associate professor in Exercise and Sport Science took over the directorship responsibilities from Dr. Carol Giuliani, who led the program for the past 10 years. The faculty, alumni, and students associated with the pro-gram owe Dr. Giuliani a large debt of gratitude for her hard work and dedication to doctoral education, placing the program among the top in the country. Below is a list of EXSS men-tored graduates and their current institutions.

James Cavanaugh, PhD, PT University of New EnglandJames Onate, PhD, ATC Ohio State UniversityScott Ross, PhD, ATC Virginia Commonwealth UniversityTroy Blackburn, PhD, ATC University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCathleen Brown, PhD, ATC University of GeorgiaCharles Thigpen, PhD, PT, ATC Proaxis Therapy, Innovative Therapy ResourceDaniela Rubin, PhD California State University- FullertonKristen Ondrak, PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMichelle Boling, PhD, ATC University of North FloridaMelanie McGrath, PhD, ATC University of Nebraska at OmahaLindsay Distefano, PhD, ATC University of ConnecticutJason Mihalik, PhD, ATC University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill