The School of Kinesiology takes center stage in the Spring/Summer issue of Connect, CEHD's alumni/faculty/staff magazine. Kinesiology director Li Li Ji is featured on the cover, and his key involvement in establishing the U.S.-China American Cultural Center for Sport, a partnership with the U of M China Center, the School of Kinesiology, and the Tianjin University of Sport in Tianjin, China. The grand opening and inauguration ceremony was held March 20 at Tianjin University of Sport and included dignitaries from China and the U.S. as well as the University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology, and the Tucker Center. Read the full story at this link: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/Connect/2012Spring/Diplomacy.html

Also featured in Connect was Dr. Don Dengel, associate professor in exercise physiology, and his Study Abroad trip to London with 25 students last December to explore the impact of the Olympics on the city of London, the first city to host the games for the third time. Students visited venues from the previous games (1908 and 1948) as well as 2012 venues under construction. Go to http://www.cehd.umn.edu/Connect/2012Spring/Olympics.html to read the full story.

Matt Vollum, teaching specialist and coordinator of Kinesiology's physical education and health licensure programs, and Kinesiology doctoral student in sport sociology, has been appointed boys basketball head coach for Eagan High School.

Vollum was head coach at Bloomington Kennedy High School from 2002-2009, where he coached the boys basketball team to the 2008 state Class 4A tournament. The team made it to the quarterfinals where it lost to Minnetonka, the eventual state champion.

Congratulations, Matt!

The University's Office of the Vice President for Research has awarded Li Li Ji, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Kinesiology, a University Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship effective July 1, 2012, through January 15, 2014, for his work titled "Efficacy of in vivo PGC-1α Transfection in Protecting Against Muscle Disuse Atrophy."

This grant will suport an investigation using mice as a model on how local injection of a DNA binding protein called PGC-1α would improve recovery of hindlimb muscle from immobilization due to banding. Preliminary work indicates this nuclear cofactor enhances energy production, antioxidant defense and suppresses inflammatory response, and thus facilitates recovery.

Dr. Jo Ann Buysse, sport management undergraduate coordinator and lecturer in Kinesiology, will be in France beginning May 20 with U of M Learning Abroad staff to observe 12 U of M students attending a Learning Abroad course on Sport and Culture in France at the University of Montpellier. Nearly all the students attending are Kinesiology or Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies undergraduates. The students will travel to see the European X Games and meet with Team Handball players. Dr. Buysse will also visit the AMOS School of Sport Business in Paris to discuss possible collaborations between the U of M and AMOS.

Dr. Stephen Ross, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor of sport management in the School of Kinesiology, was interviewed this week by Tom Lyden of Fox 9 News on naming rights of the newly proposed Vikings stadium.

In the interview, Ross discusses the importance of team success on the field, the future value of the Vikings naming rights, and the role of the economy in the costs of naming rights.

To read more, go to this link:

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/18435687/future-vikings-stadium-name-comes-with-high-expectations

Dr. Don Dengel, associate professor in Kinesiology, has two recent publications:

1. Polgreen LE, Petryk A, Dietz AC, Sinaiko AR, Leisenring W, Goodman P, Steffen L, Perkins JL, Dengel DR, Baker KS, & Steinberger J: Modifiable risk factors associated with bone deficits in childhood cancer survivors. BMC Pediatrics, 12:40, 2012.

2. Lou X, Templeton DL, John R, & Dengel DR: Effects of continuous flow left ventricular assist device support on microvascular endothelial function. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational, 5(3):345-350, 2012.

Ms. Lou, the first author, is a former UROP student who worked with Dr. Dengel on her research project. Dr. Danielle Templeton is a 2010 PhD graduate of Kinesiology and advisee of Dr. Dengel.

Dr. Mary Jo Kane, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport and professor of sport sociology in the School of Kinesiology, is quoted in GolfWeek.com's article, "Title IX: An empowering transformation." In the article on pro golfer Suzy Whaley and other female athletes, Kane says, "What Title IX has done is create a critical mass of women playing at all levels of competitive sports."

Tianyi Zhao, a senior majoring in Economics, had a hole-in-one during match play in PE 1055 Golf class last week. For very few people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Mr. Zhao shows off his magic golf ball in the photo.

The course is taught by Angela Ause.

Kinesiology graduate Cody Mikl has been selected to serve as the graduate student representative on the Board of Regents. Mikl is pursuing his Ph.D. in OLPD. He received his B.S. and M.A. degrees in Kinesiology with a sport management emphasis. Cody is also a physical activity program instructor and facility manager in the Department of Recreational Sports.

Kelsey Savoie, Executive Administrative Specialist in the School of Kinesiology, has been named the next vice president of the CEHD Alumni Society Board beginning July 1. In addition, she will assume the role of President in July of 2013. Savoie received her M.Ed. in Sport Management in 2011 from Kinesiology and has served the Alumni Society Board as an active member this past year. The Alumni Society works to keep alumni connected and informed and provides opportunities to participate in alumni-oriented activities throughout the year.