NIU Today

Caitlin Paxton’s journey to the foot of a snowy Lake Geneva mountain drew her into the heart of the Abominable Snow Race. But amid the frigid cold and friendly competition, the NIU College of Education senior from Plano, IL, found affirmation of her dream to teach physical education to elementary school children. “I helped with...

All of the world’s eyes – Brandon Male’s included – are on South Korea. But the instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KNPE) is looking at the Winter Olympics through a different lens, one that understands that the games are far more than athletes, medals, national anthems and must-watch TV. Male is...

NIU cultivates a dynamic and enriching environment for faculty looking to grow as professionals, but the College of Education believes there is always room for improvement. “On our campus and so many other campuses, we are very intentional about professional development for teaching. We have resources on our campus in that regard,” says Chad McEvoy,...

When Sarah Paver began her student-teaching class last August, the graduate student in physical education quickly became concerned. “I was very nervous when the edTPA came up,” says Paver, who graduated in December 2017. “A lot of my classmates had said that they had read the handbook over the summer. I didn’t look at anything...

Recess is fun and games for most elementary school students, but it’s not always without problems. For one, it’s often lightly supervised. And, says Zach Wahl-Alexander, assistant professor of Physical Education, it’s likely parent-volunteers and not teachers who are in charge. Meanwhile, Wahl-Alexander adds, small misunderstandings between children can quickly escalate into physical conflict. But...

Cold winds blew across the Brooks Elementary School playground Halloween morning, but those chills couldn’t stop the fun of bowling soccer balls and poofy balls toward a 10-pin pumpkin or running relays around hay bales. Within the warmth of the building, an orange-and-white parachute fluttered up and down, balls bouncing atop its bright stripes. On...

When runners finally cross the finish line and enter “the chute” at the end of the Chicago Marathon, their races aren’t quite over. Chances are good that they might need medical assistance. “Your body responds in a variety of ways after you run 26.2 miles,” says Kelly Potteiger, associate professor of Athletic Training in the...

When Mary Bell came to NIU in 1957, she was told to spend 75 percent of her time teaching Physical Education and the rest leading intramurals and intercollegiate sports for women. “Pretty soon, they took intramurals off,” Bell says. “I was excited about that. The intercollegiate role was what I was really interested in.” Considered...

NIU faculty, staff and community members can join the Kinesiology and Physical Education (KNPE) FIT Program this summer to swim in Anderson Pool and workout in the KNPE Fitness Centers in Anderson or Gabel Hall. Additionally, there are 20 group exercise classes available each week to choose from. Fees for the intersession period (five weeks), from...

The Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education’s FIT Program is an exercise program for NIU employees, family members, retirees and residents of the surrounding community. You can now join the FIT Program for $43.00, half the regular registration fee, for the remainder of the semester. Our experienced staff can help you with any fitness activity...

SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) presented its Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award to NIU’s Paul M. Wright, who holds the Lane/Zimmerman Endowed Professorship in Kinesiology and Physical Education. Wright was recognized April 7 during SHAPE America’s 131st National Convention & Expo in Minneapolis. SHAPE America presents the Outstanding Mentor of the...

According to the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace, sport can be used as powerful tool in the advancement of developmental and peace objectives around the world. Since 2003, the U.N. General Assembly has adopted annual resolutions on sport for the purpose of promoting education, health, development and peace. Because of this...