Meet the Presenters
Joel B. Dearing '79
Associate Professor of Physical Education
Athletic Administration Graduate Program Director (2011-present)
Joel B. Dearing holds a Master of Science in Physical Education from Bridgewater State University, 1982. He was the Director of Dearing Volleyball School, Inc. from 1984-2017. Beginning in 2018, Dearing served as the Volleyball Commuter Camp Director, continuing under his new business: Dearing Leadership, LLC, with camps in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida. His services within this business include Coaching Education and Coach Mentoring. Dearing is a national faculty for USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation CADRE, with 25+ years of delivering USAV CAP IMPACT and Level I & II courses across the country and through on-line delivery. He was an ASEP (American Sport Education Program) Leader Level Certified Instructor from 1991-2004. Dearing has presented nationally, has several publications, and has hosted general coaching clinics over the years.
Thaddeus France III '91, G'93, EdD
Professor of Physical Education
Co-Chair of the Department of Physical Education & Health Education
France holds his Bachelor of Science in physical education and his Master of Science in physical education with a concentration in adventure education from Springfield College. He also holds a doctorate of education in teacher education and curriculum studies from The University of Massachusetts Amherst. France has mentored numerous graduate students through their research and dissertations, with a specific interest in experiential learning, positive youth development through sport and humanistic physical education. France has served as Director of the East Campus Outdoor Learning Center, Director of Outdoor Pursuits, and Director of Camp Massasoit. In 2010, France was the recipient of the prestigious Springfield College Cheney Service Award. He has served as the Buxton Professor of Physical Education. France has presented nationally and published articles and book chapters in the areas of physical education, sport, positive youth development through sport and community youth development. Recently, he and colleagues have published a book chapter, Coaching for Positive Youth Development: From Theory to Practice (2015). Alongside Dr. Al Petitpas, France created and ran Leaders in Academics, Community Engagement and Service (LACES): a community youth development program that helps students learn to lead in their communities through problem solving. He serves as a developmental consultant for The First Tee: a youth development program that uses golf to teach life skills and character education. In this role, he has been involved with the development of The National Schools Program, coach training, national participant opportunities and research. In 2013, Ted was honored to receive The First Tee Founder’s Award in recognition of service on to the organization.
Al Petitpas, EdD
Positive Youth Development Consulting Services Co-founder, Al Petitpas is an emeritus professor of Psychology at Springfield College where he directed the college’s Center for Youth Development and Research. Petitas is a fellow of the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and the American Psychological Association’s Division of Exercise and Sport Psychology. He has provided consulting services to a wide range of sport organizations including, the NBA, NFL, Ladies Professional Golf Association, the U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Teams, the United States Olympic Committee, the New England Blizzard of the American Basketball Association, and the Montreal Alouettes. He has served on the program and curriculum development teams for several positive youth development initiatives, including Academics in Motion, Play It Smart, The First Tee’s Life Skills and Mentoring Programs, the NCAA’s Youth Education through Sports (YES) Program, the Montreal Alouettes’ On Point Program, and AthLife’s Coaches in the Classroom. Each of these initiatives is based on a framework for planning youth programs that create learning environments in which young people enhance their self-understanding, develop relationships with caring adult mentors, and acquire important life skills.
Our moderator for the event:
Michelle Moosbrugger '00, PhD'06
Associate Professor of Physical Education
Co-Chair and Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Physical Education & Health Education
Moosbrugger holds a bachelor of science in movement and sport studies/physical education from Springfield College, a master of science in sport pedagogy from Ithaca College, and her PhD in physical education in sport and exercise psychology from Springfield College. She has five years of youth sport coaching experience in swimming, soccer, softball, and baseball. She is the former Division III Head Swim Coach at Wells College, and she was the Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference Swim Coach of the Year in 2002. Moosbrugger was also an assistant swim coach at Springfield College (GA) and Ithaca College. She has presented nationally and published articles on coaching and coaching education.
