KNPE Alumni Accomplishments

Tracy Brewer
Tracy Brewer

Congratulations to these graduates of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education!

Tracy Brewer, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’82, has joined Freeport-based Highland Community College’s Business Institute as a training coordinator. The HCC Business Institute provides training and consulting solutions to help clients maintain a competitive operation and a skilled, knowledgeable workforce. Brewer has worked with community and technical colleges for the past 10 years, managing training and development programs.

Michael Dhesse
Michael Dhesse

Michael Dhesse, B.S. Athletic Training, ’14, is among 31 winners of the American Hockey League’s Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for the 2020-21 season. The AHL honored the head athletic trainers of all member clubs in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic. Dhesse, who recently completed his second season as the head athletic trainer for the Rochester Americans, previously spent five years as the assistant athletic trainer at the University of Alaska Anchorage and was the medical coordinator for the Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon & Half Marathon, the state’s largest marathon.

Roger Eddy
Roger Eddy

Roger Eddy, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’81, was appointed to the Illinois State Board of Education in February 2021 by Gov. JB Pritzker. Eddy’s term will expire in January 2025. Eddy, who previously served as executive director of the Illinois Association of School Boards and the superintendent of schools at Hutsonville Community Unit School District #1, also represented the 109th district in the Illinois General Assembly from 2003 to 2012.

Shane Hudson
Shane Hudson

Shane Hudson, B.S. Athletic Training, ’19, is serving as the head athletic trainer for the Peoria Rivermen’s 2021-22 season. Hudson previously worked as an athletic trainer for the Springfield Clinic and has experience with multiple high schools in the Springfield area. His most recent hockey experience came with the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League.

Marcus Lewis
Marcus Lewis

Marcus Lewis, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’98, and Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’19, began work July 1 as principal of Thompson Junior High School in Oswego School District 308. He had served since 2017 as assistant principal at Plank Junior High School.

Philip Moe
Philip Moe

Philip Moe, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’10, was named principal of Millikin Elementary School in Geneseo Community Unit School District 228. Moe, who previously was assistant principal of Geneseo High School and also had served as assistant coach for track and cross country there, began his education career at Southwest School in Geneseo.

Kelly Zerby
Kelly Zerby

Kelly Zerby, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, ’99, and M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’05, was named the 2021 Elementary P.E. Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Zerby has worked for DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 for 22 years, including her current home at Jefferson Elementary School. She previously taught at Founders and Littlejohn elementary schools.

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

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