Aug. 15, 2025 | Adelyn Mui How an RST alum became a Hollywood trainer to the stars Transforming John Travolta. Becoming the first fitness editor for ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Marketing customized racketball racks for the Denver Broncos. Presenting the first wearable fitness device, the Polar Heart Rate Monitor. The list goes on. “I dream […]
Tag: alumni
How Illinois helped John Preston redefine himself
Aug. 14, 2025 | Adelyn Mui John Preston had never been in an integrated environment until he came to the University of Illinois in 1967 Arriving at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the 1970s, John Preston was among the few Black students and people with disabilities on campus. His journey through the university not […]
Tacoria Humphrey is leaping further—in sport, school and life
Aug. 07, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Tacoria Humphrey was recently named a Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year, presented annually to the top Fighting Illini male and female athlete She races down the rubberized runway, determination pumping through her arms, energy coursing across her strides and focus blazing in her eyes. With a mighty leap, […]
Illinois Sport Psychology: A ‘once in a lifetime’ reunion
Aug. 05, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Today’s Department of Health and Kinesiology once hosted the nation’s foremost researchers of sport psychology. Nearly 50 years on, these pioneers reunited at Huff Hall for a weekend on campus. When Rainer Martens arrived at the University of Illinois in the summer of 1966, he stepped out of his […]
Alumni Spotlight: Haley Bauman
Oct. 23, 2023 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Haley Bauman graduated from the University of Illinois in August 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism. She told us about her internship program this summer. This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to complete a 10-week internship as an activities field support agent for […]
AHS honors three outstanding alumni
Oct. 22, 2022 | Anna Flanagan Three graduates who received this year’s alumni awards from AHS have amassed impressive accomplishments for themselves while keeping a professional eye on others. A college president who thinks the best part of leadership is facilitating the achievements of colleagues. An attorney who makes sure companies that provide communications and media services […]
DRES alum’s posthumous gift takes spotlight: ‘I don’t think she ever forgot her debt’
April 24, 2024 | Ethan Simmons Susan Chaplinsky’s $3.4M estate gift funds endowments supporting disabled Illinois students To honor their sister’s time at the University of Illinois, the siblings of Susan Jane Chaplinsky thought a memorial bench in the open-air plaza of Disability Resources and Educational Services would be a fitting tribute. Because the work […]
Yogi, OT, teacher, researcher: Kinesiology Ph.D. candidate explores yoga for pain management
April 01, 2024 | Ethan Simmons The question that guides her research: How might yoga be used to manage chronic pain? To doctoral candidate Stephanie Voss, chronic pain treatment and yoga have more in common than we think. Voss, now in her third year of a kinesiology Ph.D program at the University of Illinois, first […]
Spurred to succeed: RST alum Larson knows importance of dedication to his craft
Feb. 02, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Many sports fans only see the athletes arriving at games, ready to take the court. However, the logistical and behind-the-scenes work often goes unnoticed. When a plane is delayed, causing the team to miss a connecting flight, or someone arrives 20 minutes late, it’s Josh Larson’s responsibility to ensure everything […]
Student Spotlight: Kaley Graves, from patient to practitioner
Aug. 22, 2023 | Ethan Simmons Audiology wasn’t initially Graves’ field of choice—she graduated from University of Illinois Springfield in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology Third-year audiology doctoral student Kaley Graves is missing the first week of classes this fall, but she has a great excuse. Thanks to her sterling accomplishments as a […]