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. James E. Mattern (Lock Haven, Pa.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Sports Marketing emphasis, with honors. Doctoral dissertation: “Comparing collegiate student-athletes and non-athlete students’ academic success.”

Dr. Gary Scott McChalicher (York, Pa.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Ed.D. Sports Health and Fitness, Sports Leadership emphasis, with honors. Doctoral dissertation: “Effects of team strength and conditioning on athlete leadership and team cohesion.”

Dr. Portia Livia Kershaw (Fayetteville, N.C.) – Ed.D. Sports Management, Human Resources Management emphasis. Doctoral dissertation: “Social learning theory’s impact on perceptions of professional athletes as role models.”

Master’s Graduates

Justin Aaron Pollock (Toccoa, Ga.) – M.S.S. Sports Management, with honors

Reginald D. Glon (Mishawaka, Ind.) – M.S.S. Sports Coaching

Kimberly M. Perry (Lancaster, S.C.) – M.S.S. Sports Management

Catrina Wagner (Santa Rosa, Calif.) – M.S.S. (dual degree) Sports Coaching and Sports Health and Fitness

Bachelor’s Graduate

John T. Covin (Bay Minette, Ala.) – B.S.S. Sports Coaching