Academic Programs
Department of Physical Education
Studying physical education at Denison
THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION is to provide men and women with the opportunity for growth and development in their intellectual, physical and social lives.
The physical education department provides students with the opportunities to gain knowledge and skills to help future generations improve their physical and mental well-being through programs of athletics, physical education and recreation.
Opportunities for practical application of classroom learning abound in Denison's athletic training rooms
The Denison University Physical Education Center includes a wide range of facilities which are utilized by students for classes, research, athletics and recreation. The teaching facility includes two electronic classrooms, a rehabilitation room, two cardio fitness rooms and an athletic training room. In addition, students use the extensive athletic and recreation complex for classes, athletics and recreation which includes the following indoor facilities: 4 tennis courts, a 200-meter competition track, 4 squash courts, 4 racquetball courts, 6 lane 25-yard competitive pool, weight room, 5 basketball courts, and 5 volleyball courts. The outside facilities include: an artificial turf field with lights, 6 lane 400-meter competition track, 12 tennis courts (6 with lights), platform tennis court, 2 sand volleyball courts, baseball/softball complex with lights and 12 grass fields. Deeds Field-Piper Stadium currently serves as the home field for the Denison football, field hockey, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse and the men's and women's outdoor track and field teams.
The athletic training major
The athletic training major teaches students about the human body, how it is affected by pathological conditions and how it can be physically rehabilitated.
The athletic training major must complete a curriculum of required physical education courses and a biology course.
Athletic training majors have the option of applying for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). Admission into the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is competitive and has stringent requirements.
ATEP students are generally those individuals who are planning to pursue athletic training as a career. The American Medical Association recognizes athletic training as an allied health profession, whose mission is to enhance the quality of health care for individuals who are physically active by working closely with physicians and other allied health professionals.
Denison University's Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
The physical education major and minor
The Department of Physical Education will be phasing out the major concentrations in Sport Management and Teaching of Physical Education, as well as the minor concentrations in Athletic Training, Sport Management and Coaching. Students that enrolled during the 2007-2008 academic year may declare these concentrations in the major or minor, but students enrolled after the spring of 2008 may no longer declare these major/minor concentrations.
What do our majors do after Denison?
Athletic training majors most often pursue careers in athletic training, usually going on first to obtain higher degrees in the field.
Many past majors in Physical Education have pursued graduate studies, while others have pursued careers in coaching, teaching, sports psychology, corporate fitness, recreational fitness, sports information, or have secured a position in the business side of sports.
Who are our professors and staff?
Chair and Associate Professor Gregg Parini joined the faculty at Denison in 1987. He earned a B.A. at Kenyon College and an M.A. at Michigan State University. In 2007, Parini received Denison's Charles A. Brickman Teaching Excellence Award, among the highest honors bestowed on a faculty member by the University. Parini is head men's and women's swimming coach.
Assistant Professor Stephani Brzezowski joined the athletic staff at Denison in 2000. She earned a B.S. and an M.A. at Ohio State University. Brzezowski's teaching specialty is Exercise Physiology. She is the head women's lacrosse coach.
Associate Professor Pan Fanaritis joined the faculty at Denison in 1993. He earned a B.S. at Georgetown University and an M.Ed. at Pennsylvania State University. Fanaritis's teaching specialty is Psychology of Sport. He is the head men's and women's track and field coach and assistant men's and women's cross country coach.
Assistant Professor Nicholas Fletcher joined the faculty at Denison in 2000. He earned a B.S. at Johns Hopkins University and an M.S. at Western Connecticut State University. Fletcher's teaching specialty is Kinesiology. He also serves as head football coach.
Assistant Professor Robert Ghiloni joined the faculty at Denison in 2002. He earned a B.S. at Ohio State University and an M.S. at the University of Dayton. Ghiloni's teaching specialty is History and Philosophy and Principle of Physical Education. He also serves as the head basketball coach.
Assistant Professor Bryan Hortz joined the faculty at Denison in 1995. He earned a B.A. at Denison University and an M.S. at Ohio University and a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. Hortz supervises and instructs student athletic trainers and directs the athletic training program at Denison. His teaching specialties include Basic Athletic Training, Orthopedic Injury/Illness Assessment, and Athletic Training Administration. Dr. Hortz is also Head Athletic Trainer.
Associate Professor Sara Lee joined the faculty at Denison in 1989. She earned a B.S. at Moorehead State University and an M.A. at Kent State University. Lee's teaching specialty is Women in Sports. She is head women's basketball coach and is an assistant to Denison's director of athletics.
Assistant Professor Matthew McGinnis joined the faculty at Denison in 2005. He earned a B.S. at Salisbury State University and an M.E. at Wilmington College. McGinnis's teaching specialty is Contempory Issues in Physical Education, and Health and Sports. He is head men's lacrosse coach.
Assistant Professor Gail Murphy joined the faculty at Denison in 1997. She earned a B.S. at the University of New Mexico and an M.S. at Smith College. Murphy's teaching specialty is Organization and Adminisstration of Athletics and Physical Education. She is the head women's soccer coach.
Assistant Professor Rob Russo joined the faculty at Denison in 1999. He earned a B.S. at Wilmington College and an M.A. at Miami University. Russo's teaching specialty is Nutrition. He is the head men's soccer coach.
Associate Professor Lynn Schweizer joined the faculty at Denison in 1973. She earned a B.S. at Ohio University and an M.A. at Ohio State University. Schweizer is also the Associate Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation and serves as the Director of Club and Intramural Sports. She teaches Physical Education Teaching Methods, a variety of American Red Cross certification courses including Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor and First Aid and CPR.
Assistant Professor Eric Winters joined the faculty at Denison in 1992. He earned a B.A. at Otterbein College, an M.S. at Ohio University and a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. Dr Winters serves as the director of the Athletic Training Education Program and teaches a variety of courses within the curriculum.
For more information about the program and curriculum, go to:
or contact:
Gregg Parini, Director
Department of Physical Education
Physical Education Center
Denison University
Granville, Ohio 43023
Phone: (740) 587-6678
Fax: (740) 587-6362
E-mail: Gregg Parini