Monmouth’s Student Team Debuts in MARC ACSM College Bowl as Faculty-Student Team Presents Research

The Department of Health and Physical Education showcased research and expanded student engagement at the Mid‐Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (MARC ACSM) annual meeting held Nov. 7 - 8 in Harrisburg, PA. This annual scientific conference brings together more than 600 students, researchers, clinicians, and educators from across the region to share the latest advances in exercise science and sports medicine.

For the first time, the Department of Health and Physical Education fielded a four-student team, Ava Noone, Emily Karl, Robert Federico, and Colin Rudy, to the ACSM College Bowl competition. This was a fast-paced Jeopardy-style quiz competition that tested undergraduate students' knowledge in exercise physiology, biomechanics, metabolism, cardiology, and related sciences.

Specialist Professor Tamara Rial-Faigenbaum, Ph.D., who served as faculty sponsor of the team, said that competition included 18 other college teams, the biggest field in the history of the event. "Our students represented Monmouth with enthusiasm, academic excellence, and teamwork. Their participation marks a new chapter in student involvement in professional sports medicine events and sets a strong foundation for future years of competition and growth," she said.

"We are thrilled to see our students engaging at this level. Participating in the College Bowl once again demonstrates our commitment to connect classroom learning, student leadership, and professional development," added Associate Professor Andi Hope, Ed.D. "It was so much fun watching our students compete at ACSM! They left the conference with teamwork skills, valuable networking experiences, a boost in their confidence, and a renewed excitement about the field of exercise science."

Additionally, faculty and students from the department presented a poster, "Physical Activity Motivation Through the All Stars Moving Together Program: A Mixed-Methods Study."

The study, led by Rial-Faigenbaum, Hope, Associate Professor Staci Drewson, Ph.D., and graduate student Robert Milano, examines how participation in the school-university service-learning initiative All Stars Moving Together (ASMT) influences children's motivation for physical activity. The ASMT program connects Monmouth undergraduate students with a local elementary school to deliver inclusive physical activity sessions that promote reciprocal learning in both communities.