Editor’s note: Since students of the United States Sports Academy are able to complete their coursework and degree requirements on their own schedule, the Academy throughout each month immediately awards degrees to students who complete requirements. Students are not required to wait to the end of a semester or term to receive their degrees. The Academy congratulates the following graduates who completed their degrees this month.
Doctoral Graduates
Dr. Lisa Marie Ahearn (Auburn, Maine) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Leadership specialization, with honors. Dissertation: “Athletic directors and crisis management at schools in New England.”
Dr. John C. Ritzen (Chadron, Neb.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Leadership specialization, Sports Coaching emphasis, with honors. Dissertation: “Factors influencing the college selection process of NCAA Division II golfers.”
Dr. Christopher P. Johnson (Newton, Mass.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Leadership specialization, Sports Theory emphasis. Dissertation: “A comparison of sport and military leaders.”
Dr. Terry L. Obee (Bowling Green, Ky.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Leadership specialization, Sports Theory emphasis. Dissertation: “The perceptions of students on the paying of student-athletes beyond the athletic scholarship.”
Dr. Jacqui Virgil (Thomasville, Ga.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Leadership specialization. Dissertation: “Third-grade students’ perceptions of enjoyment in physical education with exer-gaming vs. traditional exercise.”
Master’s Graduates
Tara C. Garrett (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) – M.S.S. Sports Studies
Sylvia Guerrieri (Fairfax, Va.) – M.S.S. Sports Studies
Michael Higgins (Dallas, Texas) – M.S.S. Sports Studies, Sports Psychology emphasis
William Nevels Jr. (Buford, Ga.) – M.S.S. Sports Management
Travis Quarles (Goldsboro, N.C.) – M.S.S. dual degree Sports Management and Sports Coaching, NCAA Compliance emphasis
Brendan Wilkins (Pawcatuck, Conn.) – M.S.S. Sports Coaching, NCAA Compliance emphasis
Bachelor’s Graduate
Travis Grimes (Byron, Ga.) – B.S.S. Sports Strength and Conditioning, with highest honors
