News & Events
School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences

3rd Annual “Gobble Wobble” Benefits At-Risk Youth

Have you been a part of the 3rd Gobble Wobble at Barry University?  If yes, then you were part of one of the most successful non-profit events ever run by students!  If you haven’t participated, don’t worry—it’s an annual event here at Barry.  On Saturday November 21st, SES graduate students in the Fitness and Wellness Promotion class hosted their 3rd annual Gobble Wobble, a 5K walk/run race, presented by World Ford of Pembroke Pines. The race was a great success. More than 130 people from Barry and surrounding communities participated (see Race Results). Over $2100 was raised in the 3rd Annual Gobble wobble for the FLIPANY organization. FLIPANY (Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) is a non-profit corporation which provides affordable physical activity and nutrition programs for low income youth and their families in South Florida through collaborations with community centers, parks, and other social service agencies. The fitness section includes programs such as “Eat Right. Get Moving. Repeat!” and “FITT After School Programs”. The Cooking classes include “Operation Frontline” and “Mise En Place” programs, and “Nutrition Counseling” and “Lunch-N-Learns” programs are part of the Nutrition education section.  Silent auction items and raffle prizes were donated by local businesses and individuals and all proceeds were contributed to the FLIPANY organization.  Among this year’s prizes were trophies by Barry University CRW, Miami Heat autographed Basketball, Florida Marlins Autographed baseball, Florida Marlins memorabilia, Miami Dolphins Club level tickets. We had received gift certificates from RoadID, Jump On It Inc., The Cheese Cake Factory, Chili’s, Baskin Robbins, Starbucks and Yankee Candle at Pembroke Gardens and Monetary, food and gifts from TLC Inc., Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa, Sodexho and Publix.  We want to extend a warm thank you for all of you supporting our cause. Participants and spectators canned and dry food donations were accepted at race time which also benefited the Camillus House.

International Sport Science Figures Visit Barry for Recent Seminar

Editorial board members from the most prominent international sport science organization made a visit to Barry recently, sharing their expertise with students, faculty and staff from the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences. Barry University’s Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is part of a network of more than 300 global institutions who share common tenets through the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE). ICSSPE board members visiting Barry hailed from Finland, South Africa, Canada, China and Germany. “As a member institution of ICSSPE, the university, through its Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has the opportunity to enlarge its international standing in the sport science and physical education communities and become increasingly involved in research and professional initiatives globally,” said Barry University professor and former chair of ICSSPE, Dr. Darlene Kluka. More than 40 students, faculty and staff attended a sport science seminar, hosted while the board members were on campus Feb. 23. Topics covered included “National Identity through Sport in China,” “Nelson Mandela’s Eight Lessons on Leadership,” “Finland’s Sport System,” “ICSSPE as a Leading Sport Organization,” “Sport as Post-Disaster Intervention” and “Gene Doping and Library Searches.” Dr. Carl Cramer, acting department chair for sports and exercise sciences, formally welcomed the board members, who also enjoyed a tour of Miami, courtesy of Barry faculty. Visiting board members included ICSSPE chair, Dr. Kari Keskinen from the Finnish Society of Sport Science, visiting Barry professor Dr. Anneliese Goslin of the University of Pretoria, South Africa, Gretch Ghent, Librarian Emeritus at the University of Calgary, Canada, Dr. Jinxia Dong of the Beijing Center for Gender and Olympic Studies in China and Katrin Koenen, staff member at the ICSSPE central office in Berlin, Germany.	Board members of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), the most prominent international organization for sport science, are pictured above with Barry's Dr. Darlene Kluka (second from right).
	Board members of the ICSSPE and HPLS faculty & students
	Dr.Kari Keskinen of Finland presented ICSSPE publications to Barry’s Dr. Carl Cramer

Leisure and Recreation Management Program Adds Business Minor

The School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences’ new Leisure and Recreation Management program has received a significant upgrade. 

Students may now opt for a 21 credit Business minor for completion of their degree in Leisure and Recreation Management.  The minor includes 3-credit courses in Introductory Business, Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Computer Applications, Organizational Behavior and Management, Marketing, and one approved elective.  Leisure and Recreation Management students may choose the Business minor or a minor in Environmental Studies.

For more information on Barry University’s Leisure and Recreation Management program click here, or call (305) 899-4883.

Barry University Athletic Training Major Receives SEATA Memorial Scholarship

The Scholarship Committee of the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA) announced that Ms. Samantha Hopkins, a junior major in the B.S. degree program in Athletic Training, is the 2009 recipient of the SEATA Memorial Scholarship. Samantha received the award at a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia at the Annual Student Symposium of SEATA on February 7, 2009. Congratulations to Samantha Hopkins and the Barry Athletic Training Education Program.

Barry University hosts one of 45 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited entry-level programs in the SEATA.

International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) Editorial Board Members to Present at Barry University

The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) is a global organization whose main purpose is “to serve as an international "umbrella" organization concerned with the promotion and dissemination of results and findings in the field of sport science and their practical application in cultural and educational contexts. Barry University, through its Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences in the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences, is a member organization of ICSSPE.

Its aims are to contribute to the awareness of human values inherent in sport and physical activity, to improve health and physical well-being, and to develop physical activity, physical education and sport in all countries to a high level.

In these ways it helps to defend and develop the concept of fair play, the formation of the sporting ethic and to promote peace and understanding between people. As an international organization, it endeavors to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries, and to promote co-operation between scientists and organizations from countries around the world.”

Six ICSSPE editorial board members from all corners of the globe will be on campus, Monday, February 23 for meetings. In Andreas Hall, Room 111, they will present short lectures on various topics in the Sport Sciences. First, a “meet and greet” session from  5:30 – 6:30 pm will be held, with light refreshments served. From 6:30 – 8:00 pm the international scholars will share information on the topics listed below:

• Detlef Dumon, Executive Director, ICSSP, Hanns-Braun-Straße// Friesenhaus II - Berlin, Germany

“Sport Science and Physical Education in the Global Community”

• Dr. Kari Keskinen, Chair ICSSPE Editorial Board, Finnish Society for Research in Sport and Physical Education - Helsinki, Finland

“Sport Science and Athlete Development”

• Katrin Koenan, ICSSPE Scientific and Publication Affairs, Hanns-Braun-Straße// Friesenhaus II - Berlin Germany

“Using Sport as a First Response in Natural Disasters”

• Dr. Anneliese Goslin, ICSSPE Board Member, University of Pretoria - Pretoria, South Africa

“Women, Sport, and Social Change”

• Dr. Jinxia Dong, ICSSPE Board Member, University of Peking – Peking, China

“Sport in China”

• Gretchen Ghent, ICSSPE Board Member, University of Calgary – Calgary, Canada

“Investigation of Resources and Fact Finding”

ALL students and faculty of Barry University are welcome to attend both the “meet and greet” and the presentations immediately afterward.

HPLS Well Represented at the “Fit Over Fifty” Fitness and Wellness Exposition

Barry University students and faculty, HPLS/satellite program in St. Petersburg, FL, volunteered at the 8th annual “Fit Over Fifty” Health and Wellness Exposition, at the Seminole Recreation Center in Seminole Florida, January 29.  The event targeted senior citizens and offered health and wellness seminars, community entertainment, a healthy salad buffet, a vendor expo, hands-on fitness/wellness demonstrations, giveaways, drawings, and health screenings.  This year’s event turned out nearly 600 attendees and was free of charge.

Barry University students took part in offering health and risk stratification screenings, blood pressure checks, and exercise recommendations focusing on specific needs of seniors.  The event also served as an opportunity to enroll subjects to the study: “The effects of home-based rehabilitation treatments among persons with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis” which is held in the collaboration with the Arthritis Research Institute of America.  

Dr. Ann Gibson Returns From Poland

Dr. Ann Gibson was invited to return to the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Poland. During her January 3 - 10, 2009 visit, Dr. Gibson met with faculty members prof. dr. hab. Radek Laskowski, dr. Ewa Ziemann, and dr. Tomacz Grzywacz to collaborate on their up-coming research projects, pilot three new pieces of recently acquired equipment, and to tour the cryotherapy facility utilized in a recent research project. Additionally, Dr. Gibson met with the Rector, prof. dr. hab. Tadeusz Hucinski, and the Pro-rector, prof. dr. hab. Anna Szczesna-Kaczmarek, to discuss the future direction of this continued collaboration and faculty exchange between the two schools. They are extremely interested in the possibility of including students in future endeavors, with the possibility of short, condensed academic sessions in either of the two locations.

2nd Annual “Gobble Wobble” Benefits At-Risk Youth

On Saturday November 22nd, SES graduate students in the Fitness and Wellness Promotion class hosted their 2nd annual Gobble Wobble, a 5 kilometer race which raised over $1200 for the FLIPANY organization.  

FLIPANY (which stands for Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) is a non-profit corporation which provides affordable physical activity and nutrition programs to low income youth and their families in South Florida through collaborations with community centers, parks, and other social service agencies.  FLIPANY also provides physical education classes to private schools, after school programs, and offers weekend classes.  FLIPANY’s program, “Eat Right. Get Moving. Repeat!”, and newly instituted Operation Frontline® cooking classes have served over 400 youth and include exercise and nutrition lessons that reinforce daily activity, reading, math, and science skills and teach hands-on meal preparation, basic nutrition, food safety, menu planning, food budgeting, and healthy snacking, for parents and children.

Raffle Prizes were donated by local businesses and individuals and all proceeds were contributed to the FLIPANY organization.  Among this year’s prizes were trophies, golf lessons by Coach Jimmy Stobbs, Florida Marlins memorabilia, Florida Panthers tickets, spa treatments courtesy of the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa, Barry Athletics memorabilia, oil changes by JAP Auto in Hollywood, gift certificates (Footmart USA, Whole Foods, Dogma Grill, Dave & Buster’s, TGIFridays, RoadID), maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) testing, body composition testing, and personal training packages.  

The event also benefited the canned food and toy drive sponsored by the Barry University Fitness Center , participant and spectator donations were accepted at race time. 

Barry University to Host 2009 AASP Southeast Regional Student Conference

The Barry University department of Sport and Exercise Psychology has been selected to host the 2009 Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Southeast Regional Student Conference. 

The AASP includes professionals and students from over 28 countries committed to the science and practice of sport and exercise psychology. Founded in 1986, it has approximately 1,200 members, making it the largest applied sport and exercise psychology organization in the world.

Sport Psychology faculty and students from the seven states that comprise the AASP Southeast Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) will meet on Barry’s campus to participate in oral presentations, workshops, and professional panels.

The conference kicks off Thursday evening March 25th with registration and a welcoming social event and runs through Sunday March 29th.  All activities will take place in conference rooms located in Barry University’s Health and Sports Center, and the conference committee is actively seeking faculty and student presenters and lecturers.  If you are interested in attending, lecturing, or have any other questions please contact Robyn Braun at braunr@bucmail.barry.edu.

Barry University Sport Management Major Lands Prestigious Internship with U.S. Olympic Committee

Alex Hannett, a Sport Management graduate student in the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences (HPLS), has been hired as an intern with the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The U.S.O.C. is listed by the Princeton Review as one of the top 100 internships in the country and is considered by many professionals to be the most prestigious sport internship available due to the organization’s size and its range of influence over national sport governing bodies.   Alex was selected from a pool of nearly 2000 internship applications that the U.S.O.C. receives annually.

He will be serving the Paralympic Division of the U.S.O.C. which serves over 21 million Americans annually.  Hannett will be learning to lead, manage, and facilitate Paralympic sport at the national level from within the U.S.O.C., a multi-million dollar national organization.

“I owe everything to Barry.” states Alex.

“Barry was my guardian angel.  People ask me if I expected this and I tell them that I expected to be working in a pro-shop somewhere after college, because I liked golf.  I came to Barry with low SAT scores and a low GPA, so I struggled academically at first, but with help from the Sport Management faculty my grades slowly improved.   Five years later, I have over a 3.6 GPA in the Master of Science in Sport Management and will graduate in May.  I’m graduating with honors for the first time in my life.”   

“I look at where I started and where I have come to and it’s due to the direction Barry gave me throughout my college career both academically and through hands-on experience.  What Barry really does well is engage students in hands-on experience.”

Hannett’s resume of volunteer and internship activities is as impressive as his academic development.

“I volunteered for the Royal Caribbean Golf tournament in 2004 and that really opened my eyes to the possibilities in sport.  After that tournament I started volunteering for events such as the Doral Golf Tournament, the NASDAQ tennis tournament, the Fox Sports Awards, the Legg-Mason tennis tournament, and the 2005 P.G.A. championship.”

“I also volunteered for the 2005 BCS National Championship game that was held in the Orange Bowl.  That experience was a breakthrough for me and got me thinking about my potential in the Sport Industry.”

“My undergraduate internship was with the Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department, which is the third largest county parks system in the country.  I got that internship through a tip from a classmate friend of mine who worked at Crandon Park Golf Course (A public park in the Miami-Dade County Parks system).  My job was to be the intern for the entire third region of the Miami-Dade system.”

When asked what he attributes his success to, Hannett offers this advice.

“You have to take advantage of the opportunities here at Barry.”  He adds, “You cannot just promote yourself, you’re only as successful as the people who support you.  Everything is bonded by your personal relationships.”

Hannett joins the long list of HPLS students at Barry University who have been placed at quality internship sites.  Barry’s Sport Management majors have found internships with major professional teams, major colleges and universities, parks and recreation facilities, and a variety of other sites.  For a list of recent internship and placement sites visit the HPLS web page here: Graduate Placements in the Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Steve Stowe Receives HPLS Distinguished Alumni Award 2008

The Distinguished Alumni Award, created in 2007, is the highest honor given to alumni by Barry University through the Alumni Association. This award honors Barry alumni who are locally, nationally and/or internationally recognized for their preeminent contributions to their professions, communities, and/or their demonstrated commitment to Barry University and its mission. To best recognize these Distinguished Alumni, individuals are nominated to represent the school or college from which they received their degree. Every year, one individual from each school or college will receive the award.

This year the HPLS recipient was Steve Stowe, 03’, Executive Director of the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund.  Steve oversees the team’s fundraising arm, while working alongside players to support their philanthropic endeavors, including the Corporate Education Community Outreach Ticket Program and the military appreciation initiative Home Strong. Stowe organizes the annual Miami Heat Family Festival and other special events that benefit the Charitable Fund. Over $12 million has been raised for local nonprofits since the foundation’s inception. Stowe previously served as the Heat’s director of community affairs, where he and his staff focused on social responsibility issues and the league’s internationally recognized youth programs. Before joining the Heat, Stowe was a securities trader in the NASDAQ market. Stowe is as a board member for the American Red cross Greater Miami & The Keys, the Dade Schools Athletic Foundation, and other community organizations. He has worked with the Zo’s Summer Groove event steering committee and the Univision/Premios Juventud scholarship selection panel. A native of Miami Beach, Stowe holds a dual master’s degree in sports management and business administration from Barry University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

The awards event took place at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove on November 15th, and featured an interactive “Top Chef” dinner presenting the culinary works of four different Florida chefs followed by the awards program.   All proceeds from the event benefited the Barry University Alumni Scholarship Fund.