Tusculum College student selected as delegate to the national assembly of professional organization

Simon Holzapel, a senior at Tusculum College majoring in sports science, has been selected as one of the three student delegates to the Alliance Assembly of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

The Alliance Assembly is a governing body of AAHPERD with approximately 250 representatives from all states, districts, territories and national associations. The student delegates will represent all student members, both graduate and undergraduate, of the AAHPERD with the authority to vote on behalf of these students.

This is the first time that a Tusculum College student has been chosen as a delegate. In addition to Holzapfel, one student from Purdue University and another from the University of Washington will serve as delegates. They will serve a term ending Dec. 31, 2011.

Tusculum Professor of Education Dr. Kirpal Mahal encouraged Holzapfel, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, to apply for the tremendous learning opportunity that a delegate position would bring. Dr. Mahal said that it is a great honor for the college and the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies to have Holzapfel selected as one of only three students nationwide. “Although we are small, we have taken long strides because of the brilliance of our students and support of our administration,” he said.

As a delegate, Holzapfel is required to attend the Alliance Assembly Session to be held in San Diego on April 2 during the 126th National AAHPERD Convention, which starts on March 30. The session, lasting four hours, will be preceded by a number of preparation and discussion forums during the convention.

Delegates have a duty to cast votes in the election of the Alliance’s president-elect and to take action on proposed motions that include adding the District of Columbia as a  different structure from a state or territorial association to the Alliance, recognizing overseas associations as affiliated organizations and not as integral parts of the Alliance. Delegates can also bring forward motions on which the Assembly must take action.

Dr. Mahal will accompany Holzapfel and a group of other Physical Education, Sports Science and Sport Management students to the convention. Also attending the convention will be Elisa Andriano of North York, Ontario; Calvin Britt of Augusta, Ga.; Dean Hopewell of Leicester, England; Cassandra Melnike of Pickering, Ontario; Angie Michaud of Surgionsville, Tenn., and Katie Prisco of Rogersville, Tenn.