Department of Physical Education News Archive

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Exercise Science students promote healthy lifestyle and changes in Westside School.
Winter, 2006

The IUPUI Fit For Life program sends 45 IUPUI exercise science students to George Washington Community School, where they work with students in daily physical education classes and during an after school program. The IUPUI students are those whose career goals are to become personal trainers or exercise clinicians. They teach lifetime fitness such as how to set personal fitness goals, how to use weight machines, or how to exercise at home if a gym is not available.
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Motor Activity Clinic children finish fall program and receive awards.
Autumn, 2006

Motor Activity Clinic children finish fall program and receive awards.

Adapted physical education students work on Saturday mornings under the leadership of Dr. Katie Stanton to provide structured activities for children with disabilities who live in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

This service accomplishes two goals:  improving the self-esteem and movement capabilities of children with disabilities and providing real-life opportunities for students who are considering professions involving adapted physical education. 
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Jeopardy Contest Winners
November 15, 2005

At the recent Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) Conference, a team of students from the Department of Physical Education won the state jeopardy competition. The contest was designed in the same format as the television show Jeopardy. The questions (answers) were all related to physical education and health.

The team composed of students Kevin Ahaus, Dustin Fleece and Dan Tennessen were victorious. Congratulations to these students and the faculty members who provided them with a firm academic foundation.

Walt Lienert Named Outstanding Alumnus
September 24, 2005

Walt Lienert, Professor Emeritus in the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management was named the 2005 Outstanding Alumnus by the school's alumni association. The award was presented at an annual gathering of the alumni held at the Athenaeum Turners in Indianapolis.

Lienert is a native of Chicago and first attended the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union, the predecessor institution of the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, in 1943. He left the school in the fall of 1943 to serve in the United States Navy during WWII before returning to school in 1946. He received his BS degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1950. While a student at both the Normal College and Indiana University, Lienert was a member of the intercollegiate gymnastics team.

Lienert began his professional career at the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Turners from 1950 to 1951 before moving to the Athenaeum Turners. He joined the faculty of the Normal College in 1966 where he remained until his retirement in 1989 as Professor Emeritus.

In addition to being an accomplished teacher, Lienert was a much respected coach of gymnastics. His coaching career was highlighted by being named an assistant coach for the 1956 US Women's Gymnastic team. He also served as a judge for men's gymnastics during the 1956 Olympic Games. His book, The Modern Gymnast on the Uneven Parallel Bars served as a basis for much of the early instruction on that event.

Urtel represents TAG Faculty at EISTA 2004

Urtel, Bahamonde, Mikesky, Udry, & Vessely present at International Technology Conference. Their paper titled "On-line quizzing and its effect on student engagement and academic performance" was presented at the Education and Information Systems, Technologies, and Applications (EISTA) International Conference held in Orlando, FL in July 2004.

Spring 2004 Physical Education Capstone Experiences – From Indy to China

Fourteen sites are hosting Department of Physical Education majors in 2004 spring semester capstone experiences.

Three “PETE” majors will student teach in area schools: Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis Public School # 101, Stout Field Elementary, and Chatard High School.

Ten exercise science and fitness studies majors will be interning during the spring. Campus sites include the Department of Physical Education Motor Activity Clinic, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (2 interns) and the Department of Recreational & Intramural Sports. Agencies headquartered adjacent to campus will serve as placements for three interns: the Black Coaches Association; the NCAA; and the National Institute for Fitness & Sport. The Indianapolis Baxter YMCA and the Indianapolis Colts provide capstone locations for two more seniors. One intern will study and teach martial arts in China.

Jones Active in NAKPEHE

Dr. Betty Jones, Department Chair, presented a paper and assumed a committee position at the January meeting of the National Association for Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education. The paper described preliminary work in an initiative to give health and wellness greater prominence in IUPUI's principles of undergraduate learning. Jones was named to a two-year term on the Cultural Diversity/Social Justice standing committee. She retains her position on the Board as the liaison from the College and University Administrators Council of the American Association for Active Lifestyles & Fitness.

New Department Chair to Begin July 1, 2004

Dr. Jeff Vessely will assume the role of department chair in July, 2004. Vessely is a full professor with over 25 years tenure on the IUPUI faculty. His teaching focuses on sports management, recreational sports and risk management. He will replace Dr. Betty Jones, who will be on sabbatical in fall 2004 and return to full-time teaching in spring 2005.