Kinesiology Professor Discusses Importance of Jackie Robinson
Posted on May 22, 2025
There’s a lot of racist ideology undergirding those social practices and the structures in place, and when (baseball player Jackie) Robinson and his teammates walk on the field, they’re challenging the ideas that validate those structures. So, it makes people think differently about race, and it may have helped people in Greensboro think differently about race.
Dr. Adam Berg, Department of Kinesiology Professor and director of Undergraduate Studies
UNCG Basketball Star Graduates with Kinesiology Degree
Posted on May 12, 2025
Our high school did a trip (to UNCG), and I just fell in love with how it looked. I loved how diverse it was. And I really liked the atmosphere. I also met one of my Kinesiology professors on my trip, Dr. DeAnne Brooks. Just to see how bright she was and how excited she was about my major, it lit something inside me and made me feel warm and welcome.
Khalis Cain, 2025 Kinesiology graduate and Spartan women’s basketball power forward
Kinesiology Students, Professor Study Benefits Of Exercise And Aging
Posted on April 29, 2025
We think that if that (protein) is released in response to exercise, and we exercise consistently, then we’re going to have higher levels of BDNF (a protein) that could result in some protective effects.
Chad Wessinger, Kinesiology doctoral student working on iSTEP (Inspiring Seniors Through Exercise Promotion)
Kinesiology Chair’s Research Reveals Impact of Exercise on the Brain
Posted on March 07, 2025
A study conducted by Kinesiology Chair Jenny Etnier and National Taiwan Normal University Professor Chang Yu-Kai reveals acute exercise can boost cognitive function by up to 10%, regardless of age.
Attribution: Study published in Psychological Bulletin
For 50 years, members of UNCG’s Physical Education class of 1975 held onto coursework notes, textbooks from their time at the University, old uniforms and jackets, and photos showing them with their classmates.
They recently gathered at the University to be inducted into the UNCG Vanguard Society and shared some of what made their class special.
“When I got here, I realized I was in a class of superstars and I had to keep up,” said Vicki Simmons, alumna and archivist for the class. “Every one of us turned out to be success stories.”
Members of this class not only succeeded in their careers connected to physical education and kinesiology, but decided to help others interested in those fields.
(Dr.) Kathy Williams was the associate dean and encouraged us to think about how we could add impacT
Paula Bonner, Alumna
In 1990 they decided to not just honor their class, but future UNCG scholars.
The class started making contributions for a scholarship, and created what is now the Hielscher Scholar program. It’s named for former physical education professor and class advisor, Pat Hielscher. The scholarship was initially designed to help one student a year with their tuition. The Class of ‘75 has grown its endowment, and now they are able to help three students annually.
The scholarship is awarded to one new student each year to someone who will make an impact in the field of kinesiology. The Class of ’75 said they wanted to not only award scholarships to students, but maintain a connection with them. This includes meeting with the students annually and forging connections.
“We wanted to make an investment in our future,” said alumna Cathy Tamsberg. “It’s exciting to see these young people who we are able to support and carry on Pat’s name.”
Memories preserved from the Class of 1975
Scholarship recipients have included Janiah Lindsey, from Lilesville, N.C., who is now coaching a middle school soccer team and wants to earn a M.S. in Athletic Training; Elizabeth “Liz” Romero, from Fayetteville, N.C., who is graduating this year and plans to be a physical therapist; Raven Ross, from Iron Station, N.C., who wants to be a physical therapist; and Emmy Therassant, from Burgaw, N.C., who hopes to be a strength and conditioning coach.
“I appreciate you all genuinely wanting to meet your scholars,” Ross said to the alumnae. “It’s inspiring to see you all continue to meet, laugh, and have fun.”
Hielscher, who attended the reunion, said the bonds the women in this class created are special.
“We shared four years together, but we kept sharing. We learned, we grew, we were challenged, we had fun, we suffered, we had hard days, but we made it,” she said. “(Your professors) are so proud of each of you. You followed your passions. You have bloomed where you were planted and dared to be different. I didn’t know how lucky I was to be your class advisor.”
School of Health and Human Sciences Dean Carl Mattacola said he has learned from this class, who regularly meets on Zoom and still distributes an annual newsletter.
You all have taught me the power of connection and long-term relationships
Dean Carl Mattacola, about the Class of 75′
Alumna Betsy Blee said their class is special because they were trailblazers for women at the time.
“The 1970s was so important to women in sports, especially with Title IX,” she said, reference the federal law created in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funds.
Current Department of Kinesiology Chair Dr. Jenny Etnier said the department continues to strive to be as impactful and meaningful as it was when the Class of 1975 was at UNCG. She cited the dedication of the faculty, new programs that have started in the last few years, and that the department is consistently ranked tops in the country.
Brian Sutton Helps Launch New Journal in Sport & Exercise
Posted on April 02, 2025
Dr. Brian Sutton, a 2024 graduate, has achieved a milestone in his career. As a 20-year veteran in the field of sport and fitness, Brian recently played a key role in the launch of the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s (NASM) new journal.
The Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance is now the official journal of NASM. As Senior Content Manager for NASM and co-editor of the journal, Brian is involved in the review and acceptance of article submissions. The journal accepts original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case studies, narrative reviews, and practical applications called “tips from the field” from a wide range of areas within the realm of sports medicine, such as nutrition, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and sports psychology.
Brian feels the EdD in Kinesiology program helped prepare him to serve as the managing editor. It helped him to strengthen his research, collaboration, management, and editorial skills through courses like program design and the dissertation process in which students regularly engaged in editorial-like activities as part of their peer review. Training during the program also included sessions on predatory journals, which helped him to understand how to properly structure the journal.
Brian is proud of the launch and wants to extend an invitation to new writers to submit an article to NASM’s new journal. We all would like to applaud Brian on his accomplishments with NASM and wish him the best of luck going forward!
Visit our website to learn how the EdD in KIN program can help advance your career.
Kinesiology Professor Recipient of UNCG Research Mentor Award
Posted on March 18, 2025
Maher is the early career research excellence winner for her work on the psychology of physical activity. Her research adopts a dual process lens, which recognizes physical activity is rooted in both a person’s conscious decisions and unconscious actions. She studies behavior in real-time by utilizing innovative approaches, such as wearable and mobile technologies, that allow her to capture nuances of everyday life that can influence physical activity.
My approach to undergraduate research and teaching heavily emphasizes learning while prioritizing inclusion. It is important to me that all undergraduate students become comfortable engaging with scientific research because, as future health professionals, they will need to be able to review and evaluate the literature to inform their own evidence-based practice.
EdD in KIN Hosts Students & Alumni During Basketball Game
Posted on March 03, 2025
On February 8, the EdD in KIN partnered with the HHS Alumni Association for a basketball social at the First Horizon Coliseum, formerly the Greensboro Coliseum. Students, alumni, and family members were able to connect and network during the event. The time was spent enjoying food, fun, and fellowship as students and alumni helped cheer the UNCG men’s basketball team to a 74 – 70 victory against Western Carolina.
Learn more about the EdD in KIN program at UNCG on our website .
