FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NASPE to Honor University of Central Oklahoma’s Debbie Traywick

 Dr. Debbie Traywick, associate professor and Physical Education Program Coordinator, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, will receive Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award for her accomplishments as a leader in teacher education from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) during the national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Traywick will be recognized at the NASPE Majors of the Year Event on Thursday, April 2, at the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Tampa, Florida.  

A national recognition, the Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award is designed to recognize one higher education faculty member for his/her specific efforts to mentor undergraduate and/or graduate students pursuing a degree in physical education, sport, kinesiology or exercise science. Specific criteria for the award includes: 1) serves as an outstanding role model of professionalism by modeling appropriate professional behavior and positive professional standards, 2) encourages student involvement in professional opportunities, such as including students in service projects or research activities, supporting student membership in professional organizations, nurturing student contributions to professional organizations/meetings or enabling student attendance at professional meetings and 3) provides exemplary academic and professional preparation advisement, is available to students for discussion and meetings and may serve as faculty advisor/supporter to student major club or honorary projects. The award is sponsored by Polar Electro, Inc. and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Traywick's research interest is in the importance of physical education at all levels of the educational experience. She is presently researching the relationship between the secondary physical education experience and body mass index in college students. Her professional service includes serving on the Journal Editorial Review Board, College Section Chair, and Vice President Physical Education for the Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, among a laundry list of other services.

Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)/American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), the Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD), the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, and the McGraw Hill Text Editorial Board, just to name a few. Traywick, who strives to be a leader in her field by making professional presentations at the state, regional, and national level, also attends numerous conferences and leadership workshops to better herself professionally.

She received her bachelor's degree from Southern Nazarene University, her Masters of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond and her Doctorate of Education from St. Louis University.

NASPE           

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 16,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information.  It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD).  For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

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Contact:
Paula Kun
pkun@aahperd.org
(703) 476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.