FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

University of Central Missouri Professor Dr. Dennis Docheff
Named President of National Educators Organization

RESTON, VA, April 25, 2011 –– Dr. Dennis Docheff, professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO, began his presidency of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) at its recent national convention in San Diego, California. The mission of NASPE, a nonprofit professional education association, is 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 health of individuals.

As a national spokesperson for NASPE, Dr. Docheff will address the organization's role in advancing the professions NASPE serves and be an advocate for quality sport, physical activity and physical education programs. This includes a new initiative called Let's Move in School, which focuses on ensuring every school across the country incorporates a comprehensive physical activity program before, during, and after school with the help of school, parents, 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.             

"With our country's growing obesity epidemic, it is an honor to lead an organization that is one of the top advocates for reversing this trend through quality programs in sport and physical education," said Dr. Docheff.  "In addition, I look forward to leading NASPE in providing standards for teachers and coaches, encouraging appropriate best practices, and offering professional workshops and more."

A NASPE/AAHPERD member since 1985, Dr. Docheff has served on NASPE's Sport Steering Committee (2007-08), Sports Award Com­mittee (2007-09), Coaches Council (2005-07), Coaching Standards Revision Team (2002-05), and was a Cabinet Member/Convention Coordinator (1999-2002). He is also a member of AAHPERD's Stra­tegic Planning Committee (2008-11) and was a delegate to the AAH­PERD Assembly 12 different times.

Dr. Docheff has been at the University of Central Missouri since 2001 where he has been both a professor and an associate professor and served as the department chair from 2001-03. Prior to 2001, Docheff was an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Concordia University in Me­quon, WI (1999-2001); an associate professor in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY (1996-99); a teacher, counselor, and coach at Elma School District and Montesano School District in Washington (1991-96); Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Chair at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA (1990-91); assistant professor of Physical Education at Eastern Washington University (1987-90); principal, athletic director, and coach of Unified School District #365 in Garnett, KS (1985-87), and physical education teacher at the Ocosta School District in Westport, WA (1978-83).         

A graduate of Whitworth University with a bachelor of art degree in physical education and a master of education degree in school administration, he received his doctorate of education degree in physical education curriculum and administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Docheff has been published well over 100 times, and has made another 149 presentations. Among his other professional achievements, he was the president of the AAHPERD Central District and a member of its Structure and Func­tion Committee, Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship Committee, Site Selection Committee, Executive Director Evaluation Committee, and Financial Advisement Committee. He also served as an editor or reviewer on several professional journals, including both JOPERD and Strategies, and has coached sports on all levels, including football (16 years), basketball (12), track (seven), fencing, golf, and volleyball. Dr. Docheff is a member of both the Kansas and the Missouri state AHPERD associations.         

He has received numerous awards throughout his career including: the 2011 AAHPERD Honor Award, the 2011 Central District Sport & Physical Education Division Merit Award, the 2010-2011 UCM College of Health and Human Services Faculty Award for "Excellence in Service," the 2009 Central District AAHPERD Honor Award and the 2005 Scholar Award from the Missouri AHPERD. He was also nom­inated for both the Byler Distinguished Faculty Award and Governor's Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008 at the University of Central Missouri.

About 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 15,000 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. The mission of NASPE is 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 the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD).

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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.