West Virginia University's College of Physical Activity and Spor - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

West Virginia University professors Jack Watson II and Sam Zizzi were selected to be fellows of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, an international professional organization that promotes the field of sport and exercise psychology.

Both are with WVU's College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

Watson, the new AASP president, is the CPASS department chairman. A licensed psychologist, he is an AASP-certified consultant who is listed on the U.S. Olympic Committee's sport psychology registry. 

His research is focused primarily in the areas of applied sport psychology, professional issues, youth sport and social psychology of sport.

Also an AASP-certified consultant, Zizzi has been teaching and conducting research in sport and exercise psychology for 15 years. He has worked with high school and college athletes, as well as athletes training for ultra-endurance events. 

Along with colleagues, Zizzi also coordinates and evaluates one of the largest community-based weight loss programs in the nation, the West Virginia Public Employees' weight management program. The program has more than 1,100 participants across the state.

The fellow honor is given to AASP members who have made significant contributions to academic and professional practice knowledge in sport and exercise psychology. Recipients were inducted recently at the annual conference in Atlanta, where members from around the world convened to share the latest research and presentations in the field.