FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CSU, Northridge Professor Mary Jo Sariscsany Elected
President-elect of National Educators Organization

RESTON, VA, April 26, 2011—Dr. Mary Jo Sariscsany, associate professor at California State University, Northridge, was recently elected president-elect of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) at its annual national convention in San Diego, California. A nonprofit professional education association, NASPE aims to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport, and physical activity programs. NASPE, which has been setting the standard for the profession for over 35 years, believes that daily physical activity is critical to improve school and work performance and the overall health of individuals.         

As a national spokesperson for NASPE, Dr. Sariscsany will promote quality physical education, physical activity and sport programs and lend expertise to tackle the growing epidemic of physical inactivity in children and the importance of physical activity for everyone.          

"I am honored and humbled to accept the position of NASPE President-Elect," said Mary Jo Sariscsany. "Aside from serving as a national advocate for the importance of quality physical education, I look forward and take pride in the opportunity to promote NASPE's current initiative, Let's Move in School, which focuses specifically on our youth and ensuring every school across the country incorporates a comprehensive physical activity program before, during, and after school with the help of school, parent, and community involvement. During National Physical Education and Sport Week, May 1-7, over 3,200 schools and nearly 2.5 million students will be participating in a national celebration of physical activity."             

In addition to her new role as NASPE President-Elect, Dr. Sariscsany teaches in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge as an associate professor. Before that, she spent seven years teaching at the University of Northern Colorado and seven years at Kent State University.         

Dr. Sariscsany has published numerous books and articles in the field and has served as a member of the editorial board of two professional journals: Strategies and The Physical Educator. A member of NASPE and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), NASPE's umbrella organization since 1992, she recently served as the professional service coordinator on NASPE's Board of Directors. Prior to that, she served as a committee member and chair of the National Physical Best Committee and as a Fitness for Life Instructor and Physical Best Instructor.         

President-Elect Sariscsany received a Doctor of Education in Physical Education Teacher Education at Arizona State University and a master's degree from the university after completing undergraduate studies in physical education from Central Michigan University. 

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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.

The vision of AAHPERD is "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!" Headquartered in Reston, VA, 25 miles west of Washington, DC, AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport--all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. Its mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport by providing 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. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.