KNPE alumni accomplishments

Congratulations to these Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education alums!

Courtney Franson
Courtney Franson

Courtney Franson, M.S.Ed. Kinesiology and Physical Education, ’16, was named director of YWCA Rock County’s Child Care Program in June. In addition to overseeing compliance with local and federal regulations, ensuring safe and maintained facilities and managing budget and personnel, she is responsible for planning and directing a multi-site, before- and after-school program, Summer Day Camp, the Pre-School 4 Janesville Program as well as Out of School Days. “I believe in the power of positive youth development and that children should have a safe place to go where they can get enrichment.”

Joe Kubly
Joe Kubly

Joe Kubly, M.S.Ed. Sport Management, ’11, returned in October to the Quad Cities River Bandits as the Midwest League team’s new general manager. He previously worked for the River Bandits in 2014 and 2015 as director of group sales and director of sales and ticketing, respectively. He previously worked as president and general manager of the Grand Junction Rockies, where he was named Pioneer League Executive of the Year in 2018, and in ticket sales for the Atlanta Hawks and as a group sales coordinator and corporate marketing manager for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Kyra Lobbins
Kyra Lobbins

Kyra Lobbins, M.S.Ed. Kinesiology and Physical Education, ’14, was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s 2019 Best & Brightest 35 and Under list. The 37 “women and men who are rising stars in the business community” were chosen from more than 100 nominations. Lobbins, 32, is director of the President’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives at Clemson University in South Carolina. During her time at NIU, she was coordinator of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program (now called the Huskie Experience) in Athletics. Lobbins is currently working on a doctoral degree in educational leadership at Clemson.

Gina Nassivera
Gina Nassivera

Gina Nassivera, M.S.Ed. Kinesiology and Physical Education, ’12, was featured Oct. 27 in the Glens Falls, N.Y.-based Post-Star, which covers her hometown of Argyle. Nassivera is director of Game Presentation for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. “I think how cool my job is especially when I’m at the scorer’s table and LeBron (James) and Kyrie (Irving) are checking into the game. I never thought I would be so close to athletes. I’ve worked over 200 games so it’s hard to pinpoint just one favorite moment, but to see the joy on people’s faces makes it special.”

Mary O’Mahoney
Mary O’Mahoney

Mary O’Mahoney, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’88, was featured Sept. 9 in Campus Rec Magazine/The Final Exam. O’Mahoney is interim executive director of Health and Wellness at California State University, Bakersfield. “We are a small department with seven full-time staff members and a little over 100 student staff, but I like to think we make a huge impact on our campus. The full-time staff are very committed and take pride in providing the best facilities, programs and services to our students. That commitment and pride carries on through to our student staff.”

Tammy Olson
Tammy Olson

Tammy Olson, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’86, has been chosen for February 2020 induction into the Illinois Coaches Association Softball Hall of Fame. Olson has served as Cary-Grove High School’s varsity softball coach for 26 years, and has been part of that program for 32 years. She has compiled a record of 463-340, five Fox Valley Conference championships, three ICA sectional Coach of the Year honors and three regional titles. Olson, who teaches Physical Education at the District 155 school, played softball for the NIU Huskies as a student-athlete from 1983 to 1986.

Hannah Ossman
Hannah Ossman

Hannah Ossman, M.S.Ed. Sport Management, ’18, was appointed in August as assistant director of the University of Iowa Athletic Communications office. Ossman serves as the primary contact for women’s basketball, field hockey, women’s golf and women’s gymnastics while also assisting with additional areas of publicity. She joined the full-time staff after a one-year internship with the department. The two-time Huskie alumna (she also holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications earned in 2016) previously served as a student assistant and graduate assistant for NIU’s Athletics Communications office.

Max Scharping
Max Scharping

Max Scharping, M.S.Ed. Kinesiolgoy and Physcial Education, ’16, and B.S.Ed. Kinesiology, ’13, was drafted by the NFL’s Houston Texans in the second round as the 55th overall pick of the 2019 draft. Scharping, an offensive tackle who made his first NFL start at left guard against the Los Angeles Chargers, has started nine of his rookie season’s 11 games, and has played in each. He returned to his hometown of Green Bay, Wis., to play the Packers in a Week 1 preseason contest. The Texans (7-4) are leading the AFC South.

If you’re a KNPE grad with news to share, please let us know – and send a photo! Our email address is NIUCOEalum@niu.edu.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email