West Virginia University Dr. Edward Etzel received the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 award for distinguished contributions to education and training in sport and exercise psychology at the APA National Convention held at Toronto in August.

Etzel, professor in sport sciences at the College, was awarded the Distinguished Contributions in Education and Training in Exercise and Sport Psychology award, which is only given out once every four years, for his extensive work over the years in the field.

Dr. Etzel has shown extensive expertise especially dealing with professional and ethical issues in exercise and sport psychology,said Dana Brooks, dean of the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences .He has also edited a seminal work on counseling student athletes in college as well as served admirably as Chairperson of the Education Committee of Division 47 (Exercise and Sport Psychology) of the American Psychological Association.

The award traditionally recognizes a sport psychologist or training program that over time has consistently provided significant contributions to education and training in sport and exercise psychology, according to the APA .

Earlier this year, Etzel authored the publication, Counseling and Psychological Services for College Student-Athletes, a new text that offers insight to working with college student-athletes and published by WVU s Fitness Information Technology (FIT), located within the International Center for Performance Excellence at the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

The text provides numerous practical and effective ways to assist individuals of this growing on-campus population to meet the issues and personal challenges they face today.

Etzel offers helpful approaches to counseling specific groups of student-athletes, including gender-based focus, African-descendent and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) student-athletes. The text also covers counseling on special concerns, such as the college student-athlete experience and academics, transitions, dealing with injury and disability as well as alcohol and drug use.

For more information on the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, go to http://www.wvu.edu/~physed/ or call 304-293-3295.

-WVU-

kc/8/28/09

Contacts:
Kimberly Cameon
College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
Office: (304) 293-0827