MORGANTOWN — WVU brought athletics and academics together Thursday morning to help improve the lives of West Virginians.
The School of Nursing and College of Physical Activities and Sport Sciences joined with the women’s basketball team to provide 8,000 Morgantown area elementary and middle-school students with health and wellness education, according to a WVU press release.
Topics included nutrition, stranger/predator danger, oral health, the impact of electronics and skin/acne care.
The students then took to the stands to watch the women’s basketball team as it defeated Bryant University 94-48.
This is another way WVU fulfills its land-grant mission of education, service and research.
“A key part of our nursing students’ education is working within our communities to share their knowledge of health and wellness, Tara Hulsey said in the release. “We hope by teaching young children the importance of nutrition, exercise and safety, they have the foundation for long and happy lives.” Hulsey is WVU’s vice president of health promotion and wellness and dean of the WVU School of Nursing.
WVU women’s basketball coach Mike Carey said he was happy to have the school students at the coliseum for a game and the educational component.
“This is something we have been hoping to do for a while, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to do it this year,” Carey said in the release. “My wife is a teacher in the area, so I know how much this means to the schools. Earlier this year, several of our players had the opportunity to interact with young students in Dallas as part of our Big 12 Media Tipoff. They had a great experience, and I know they’re extremely excited to continue working with students in our own community.”
Valerie Wayda, associate professor and chair of the coaching and teaching studies department, said it’s important for school children to be exposed to a healthy and fun fitness-based lifestyle.
“Active kids often grow into healthy adults,” she said. “WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences is a leader in research and community outreach to improve the wellness of West Virginians. CPASS faculty collaborate with local, regional and state-wide partners to help create success strategies to cultivate improvements in health and wellness.”
