On Monday, April 30, 2007, several authorities in the fields of collegiate and professional sports, community and public school health, physical education, athletics, parks, and recreation and leisure services, participated in The 2nd Annual HPERD/Sport Management Leadership Symposium at Virginia State University (VSU). The Symposium was the brainchild of the co-author of this article, Leon Wright Bey, who is a Professor in the VSU HPERD Department. The other co-author, Leslie Crocker (HPE Instructor, Meadowbrook High School and Adjunct Instructor, VSU HPERD Department), and Dr. Lauren Hamilton, Associate Professor, VSU HPERD Department, were among 19 members of the event's planning committee that was comprised of students, faculty, administrators, members of the HPERD/Sport Management Majors Club Executive Board, and a wide variety of other contributors.
The theme for this year's event was 'The Dynamics ofNetworking.' Listed below are the practitioners who served as panelists and/or moderators:
Topic: Networking in Collegiate & Professional Sports
* Janice Johnson, Executive Director, The Rudi Johnson Foundation
* Monique Morgan, Associate Commissioner, The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
* George Christopher, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, L'Impresa Sports Management
* Anthony Davis, Director of Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica
* Peggy Davis, Athletic Director, Virginia State University
* Shequra Dickerson, Assistant to the Director of Compliance, The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
* Noir Fowler, Public Relations, Community Development and Game Promotions, The Richmond Braves
* Ryan Losi, CPA, Director of Business Development, Piascik & Associates, P.C.
* Steve Piascik, CPA, President, Piasick & Associates, P .C.
* Curtis Symonds, Chief Operating Officer, Washington Mystics (WNBA)
* James L. Tanner, Jr. Esq./NBA Certified Agent, Williams & Connolly, LLP
Topic: Networking in Community and Public School Health, Physical Education, Athletics, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
* Venisha Bowler, Senior Manager, World Games &Competitions, Special Olympics
* Harold E. Jordan, Attorney/Entrepreneur, Former Owner of Professional Sports Teams
* Millard Bolden, Project Manager, Youth Services, City of Roanoke (VA) Parks & Recreation
* Kim Brandveen, Executive Director, HealthCare Solutions, Petersburg, VA
* Robert Gregory, Assistant Principal, Kramer Middle School, SE Washington, DC
* Remus James, Head Football and Track Coach and Information Technology Teacher, Petersburg High School (Petersburg, VA)
* Corey Johnson, Health and Physical Education Teacher, Tussing Elementary School, Colonial Heights, VA
* Portia Kershaw, Health and Physical Education Teacher and Driver's Education Coordinator, Meadowbrook High School (Chesterfield County, VA)
* Nichole Martin, Community Health Prevention Specialist for the Crater Health District (Petersburg, VA)
* Larry Stewart, Activities and Athletic Director, Matoaca High School (Chesterfield Co., VA)
The keynote speaker for the afternoon luncheon was Kellen Winslow, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL All-Time Team. He presently serves as the Director of Planning and New Event Development for the Walt Disney World Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. His assistant, Ms. Megan Jackson, her father, Dr. Michael W Jackson (Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in Sport and Recreation Administration, Temple University), and the support of several VSU leaders were the keys to VSU being able to secure Mr. Winslow's services for this event. Dr. Jackson serves as the National Advisor for the Symposium and was the keynote speaker at last year's inaugural affair.
Ben Hamlin, Sports Director, NBC Channel 12 News, was the Master of Ceremonies for the luncheon. Others who spoke at the luncheon and/or at other sessions are listed below:
* President Eddie N. Moore, Jr., VSU President
* Dr. W Eric Thomas, VSU Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
* Dr. James Hunter, VSU Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
* Dr. Weldon Hill, VSU Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education
* Dr. Andrew Kanu, Present Director of Interdisciplinary Studies (VSU) and former Chair of the VSU HPERD Department
* Dr. Michael W Jackson, Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in Sport and Recreation Administration, Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
* Megan Jackson, Kellen Winslow's Assistant
* Keith Green, Director of Public Relations, Richmond International Raceway
* Dr. Lauren Hamilton, Associate Professor, VSU HPERD Department
* Aaron Jones, Senior/President of the VSU HPERD Sport Management Majors Club
* Khadijah Muhammad, Graduating Senior (May 2007), and Secretary for the VSU HPERD Sport Management Majors Club
* Leslie Crocker, HPE Instructor, Meadowbrook High School; Adjunct Instructor, VSU HPERD Department
* Dr. Leon Wright Bey, Professor, VSU HPERD Department; Symposium Founder Listed below were the sponsors for this event:
* VSU Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Office
* VSU School of Liberal Arts and Education
* VSU Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
* VSU Career Services
* Visions Family Services, Inc.
* One-hour Optical, inc.
* Mr. Mike Pearson
This event was attended by: VSU students, faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, and alumni; parents; community leaders; and a variety of other individuals. Although in only its second year, it has already provided great opportunities for students to receive very valuable advice on the importance of networking en route to their becoming future professionals in the HPERD/Sport Management arena.
One of the primary reasons for the success of this event was the great support that was received from Dr. Andrew Kanu, Present Director of Interdisciplinary Studies (VSU) and former Chair of the VSU HPERD Department, and a variety of others. These persons include, but are not limited to, members of the VSU administration, and others whose names and/or units appear throughout this document. Special gratitude is extended to all of these great supporters.
Plans are currently underway for the 3rd Annual VSU HPERD/ Sport Management Leadership Symposium that is projected to be held during the Spring 2008 Semester at VSU. For more information, please contact Bey at lbey@vsu.edu.
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By Leslie Crocker HPE Instructor Meadowbrook High School,
Adjunct Instructor HPERD Department, Virginia State University
Leon Wright Bey, Professor HPERD Department, Nrginia State University
