Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport

WKU’s School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport has partnered with the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach’s (DELO) Study Away office and the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) to offer a summer seminar Aug. 7-15 in Dallas, Texas.

Led by KRS faculty Dr. Fred Gibson, Dr. Evie Oregon and Dr. Brad Stinnett, 29 students will be afforded an unparalleled behind-the-scenes look at facility planning, design and constructions processes in professional, intercollegiate and interscholastic recreation and sport facilities.

“The partnership between WKU and IAVM has created a unique and engaging educational opportunity,” Gibson said of the Texas Sport Facility Symposium. “Our students will tour some of Texas’ most outstanding sport and recreation facilities while networking with top industry professionals. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us.”

Throughout the eight days in Dallas, the students, faculty and staff will tour the AT&T (Cowboys) Stadium, American Airlines Center, Texas Motor Speedway, Globe Life Ballpark in Arlington, Southern Methodist University, John Clark Stadium (Plano High School), AT&T Performing Arts Center, Fair Park Dallas and Schuler Shook Architectural Firm.

“Such a program provides students unique opportunities to make every part of the United States their classroom guided by dedicated and knowledgeable faculty,” said Jerry Barnaby, Director of Study Away. “This program embodies that type of partnership Extended Learning & Outreach seeks with academic departments in which we share the responsibilities for creating an active learning environment with direct impact of how each students make their most of their college experience.”

Stinnett added that the learning experience afforded to the students through the course would not only enhance their resumes as they seek employment upon completion of their degrees but would also provide them with a tremendous future professional network.

“This will be life changing and be a defining moment in each of our students’ educational careers,” Oregon said. “I am honored to be a trip leader and can’t wait to see the impact on our students’ lives.”

Students participating in the program include the following: Othello Bell of Louisville; Allison Bogard of Brandenburg; Desmond Davidson of Louisville; Brittany DelBarba of Fort Mitchell; Andre Farrell of Louisville; Katherine Flath of Henderson, Nev.; Jamal Forrest of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; William Franks of Fayette, Ala.; Whitney Gutermuth of Louisville; Lauren Hagan of Louisville; Amy Halligan of Lutherville Timonium, Md.; Samuel Harman of Bowling Green; Olivia Higgins of Louisville; Joshua Jones of Bowling Green; Adam Klupp of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Matthew Livingston of Richmond; Rachel McDivitt of Lexington; Carlee Peace of West Harrison, Ind.; Craig Peden of Louisville; Michael Pollio of Louisville; Ryan Quinn of Madisonville; Keisha Ray of Bowling Green; Da’quan Robinson of Louisville; Dori Sheehan of Cadiz; Cody Snazelle of Woodburn; Ty Tipton of Bowling Green; Travis Wells of Elizabethtown; Dawn Wientjes of Metropolis, Ill.; Caleb Winders of Bowling Green.

Keep up with the Texas Sport Facility Symposium blog at http://wkusportfacilitysymposium.wordpress.com/ or on Twitter at @WKU_KRS.

The International Association of Venue Managers represents public assembly venues from around the globe. Its mission is to educate, advocate for and inspire public venue professionals worldwide. For information on IAVM, visit www.iavm.org.