Division of Health and Human Performance

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Purpose

The Division of Health & Human Performance (HHP) offers various degree options, designed to prepare students for graduate school and various careers in health, exercise, and sport. The Health (Clinical) Track prepares students pursuing advanced degrees and clinical careers in Exercise Physiology, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Pre-Med, and Allied-Health. The Performance (Non-Clinical) Track prepares students pursuing careers in sport and exercise, primarily personal training, strength & conditioning, and athletic coaching. The HPER K-12 program prepares students to obtain the Oklahoma State teacher certification, allowing students to teach health and physical education at the K-12 levels. The Sports and Recreation program prepares students for careers in sports management, outdoor & adventure recreation, camp administration, and sports ministry. We also offer specialty programs in Cancer Rehabilitation and Cancer Research that provide advanced practical experiences in exercise programming and research. Our mission is to educate, train, and develop future health, exercise, and business professionals and leaders that exemplify Christian principles, approaches, and practices.

Chair

Norris M. Russell
Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.A., Rice University, 1972
M.S., Texas A and M Commerce, 1976
Ed.D., Texas A and M Commerce, 1981
Joined the OBU faculty in 1981.

Faculty

Norris M. Russell
Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.A., Rice University, 1972
M.S., Texas A and M Commerce, 1976
Ed.D., Texas A and M Commerce, 1981
Joined the OBU faculty in 1981.

Casi Bays
Instructor of Physical Education
Women’s Basketball Coach
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2003
M.Ed., East Central University, 2013
Joined the OBU faculty in 2013.

Bobby Steven Cox
Assistant Professor of Physical Education
Baseball Coach
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1979
M.S., East Central University, 1983
Joined the OBU faculty in 1983.

Tom V. Darling
Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.S., Phillips University, 1997
M.S., University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1999
Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 2008
Joined the OBU faculty in 2015.

Jason Eaker
Instructor of Physical Education
Men’s Basketball Coach

Anna Howle
Instructor of Physical Education and Health and Human Performance
Volleyball Coach
B.S., University of Oklahoma, 2008
M.Ed., University of Oklahoma, 2010
Joined the OBU faculty in 2008.

Christopher Jensen
Assistant Professor of Physical Education
Football Coach
B.S., University of Oklahoma, 1992
M.Ed., Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2006
Joined the OBU faculty in 2012.

William Ford Mastin
Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Health and Human Performance
Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country Coach
B.M.E., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1977
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1981
M.Ed., East Central University, 1994
Joined the OBU faculty in 1996.

Linda E. McElroy
Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.S., Indiana State University, 1970
M.S., Purdue University, 1974
Ed.D. University of Utah, 1983
Joined the OBU faculty in 1990.

Chad A. Payn
Assistant Professor of Sports and Recreation and Health and Human Performance
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2002
M.A., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2009
Ed.D., United States Sports Academy, 2019
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Mike White
Instructor of Health and Human Performance
Women’s Soccer Coach
B.S., Samford University, 1993
M.Ed., University of Alabama-Birmingham, 1994
Joined the OBU faculty in 2008.

Anthony Yousey
Instructor of Physical Education
Men’s Soccer Coach
B.A., Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2001
Joined the OBU faculty in 2013.

Career Opportunities

The following is a list of possible career opportunities for those who choose a major or minor in the Division of Health and Human Performance.

Clinical

Exercise Physiologist
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Dietician/Nutritionist
Cardiac/Cancer Rehab
Weight Management
Researcher/Professor
Physician Assistant
Physician/Surgeon
Scientist

Non-Clinical

Exercise Specialist
Fitness Instructor
Personal Trainer
Corporate Fitness
Health Educator
Wellness Coach
Strength Coach
Athletic Coach
Athletic Trainer
Sport Psychologist

Sports & Recreation

Sport Management
Facility Coordinator
Park Administrator
Camp Administrator
Outdoor Recreation
Public Relations
Sport Marketing
Sport Journalism
Sport Tourism
Sport & Rec Ministry

HPER K-12
Teach health & physical education (K-12):

• Elementary
• Middle School
• Junior High School
• Senior High School

Majors, Minors, and Areas of Concentration

The Division of Health and Human Performance offers majors and areas of concentration in the following:

Programs

• Sports and Recreation, Camp Administration Emphasis, BA
• Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Management Emphasis, BA
• Sports and Recreation, Sports Ministry Emphasis, BA

• Health and Human Performance, Health (Clinical) Track, BS
• Health and Human Performance, Performance (Non-Clinical) Track, BS

• Health and Physical Education, BSE

• Athletic Coaching Certificate

• Cancer Rehabilitation Minor
• Health and Human Performance Minor
• Sports and Recreation Management Minor
• Sports Ministry Minor

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