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#ThrowbackThursday: Matthew Rinaldi

Matthew Rinaldi – Athletic Training

 

Tell us a little about your background.
I was born in Moscow, ID and grew up in Spokane. Growing up coming down to Pullman for football and basketball games was a regular occurrence so I’ve always been a Coug at heart.

What did you study at WSU? Did you always know you wanted to study that?
At WSU I studied athletic training. When I was young I helped my mom study while she was going through massage therapy school.  Early on that cultivated an interest in medicine for me. I had further exposure to athletic trainers and physical therapists through playing sports and always had such great experiences with them and saw how much they helped us all. So, going into college I knew iI had an interest in the medical field and wanted to have a profession that put me in a position to help people so athletic training was a natural fit.

What has been your favorite thing about WSU, as well as the College of Education?
The sense of community around WSU is truly incredible and I have been fortunate to experience that community for most of my life. Whether that’s the random “go cougs” in an airport, a flag flying on TV, or a professional connection, it is alway easy to find support of a coug somewhere. Within the College of Education, the professors are what made it feel special. Professors who frequently went the extra mile to ensure success of the student.

Is there a memory you have from WSU that stands out in your mind as unforgettable, transformative, etc.?
So many fond memories that stand out in different ways. As part of the athletic training program I had the great experience to work alongside all of the athletic teams including spending my senior year with the football team. Being able to travel with the team was an incredible experience both for my education and professional experience, but also just a lot of fun being able to travel to other stadiums and have great times with co-workers and classmates. Another memory that has been transformative for me probably seemed like just another day in the classroom. I had a professor, Dr. Hildenbrand, who shared with us a quote: “attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal.” While I’m sure this is not an original quote to her, but how she presented it that day made a large impact and is a quote I come back to very frequently, sometimes daily, to help guide how I approach challenges.

What has your career path been since you left WSU? What do you currently do? Tell us about your NOW life!
After leaving WSU I went to EWU for physical therapy school. From there I worked in a physical therapy clinic in Spokane and worked to establish athletic training coverage at a local high school. My wife and I then moved to Denver for 3 years where I worked as a physical therapist and took on a new job, DAD! During that time we had our two lovely daughters and have since moved back to Pullman this last July where I work for Summit PT as a PT and help educate current WSU athletic training and kinesiology students in the clinic.

What makes you an agent of change?
Professionally, I strive to be an agent of change in each patient I interact with. My goal is to inspire and curate in themselves skills and habits that will help improve their quality of life, whether that be reducing pain, getting back to work, or being able to run 10 miles. Outside of work, I see myself as an agent of change each day to my daughters, hoping to instill in them qualities I feel allow me to facilitate change: kindness, optimism, patience, responsibility, and open-mindedness.

Favorites

Food: Peanut Butter 

Restaurant in Pullman: Sella’s

Band: No favorite, just love good music in all genres.

Song: Currently, Achilles Come Down, by Gang of Youths

Movie: Saving Private Ryan / O Brother, Where Art Thou?

TV show: LOST

Favorite Coug sport: Football

Favorite spot on campus (when you were a student): Kimbrough Hall… roof.

Hobby: Board Games!

Place to visit (you’ve been to): Manarola, Italy

Dream vacation spot (you haven’t been to): Cuneo, Italy

PNWSSEPS

Washington State University is pleased to host the 2024 Pacific Northwest Student Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium

This year’s symposium speakers and workshops we will address the theme of Resilience.

THIS SYMPOSIUM IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO NETWORK, SHARE IDEAS, AND GAIN EXPERIENCE. THERE WILL BE STUDENT PRESENTATIONS, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, WORKSHOPS, ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS AND MORE.

Critical Conversations #2

Sponsored by the WSU College of Education, the Equity and Inclusion Committee brings you Critical Conversation #2. In this latest presentation of the series, Kathleen Cowin and Sarah Newcomer present: Learning to Become Culturally Sustaining, Socially Just Educators: Collaborative Conversations with Teacher and Leader Candidates.

Summary

Collaborative Conversations bring leader and teacher candidates together to discuss their ideas related to enacting culturally sustaining, socially just pedagogy in a safe, respectful space created through communication norms and group work protocols.

Collaborative Conversations are intended to provide candidates with opportunities to learn from one another as well as to practice engaging with one another during their preparation so that similar collaborative conversations can happen in the future.

Participants will be introduced to the collaborative conversation process and have an opportunity to participate in a conversation centered around culturally sustaining, socially just pedagogy.

Presenters
  • Kathleen Cowin, Associate Professor (Career Track), Educational Leadership
  • Sarah Newcomer, Associate Professor, Literacy Education
Registration

Register to receive your Zoom link: https://wsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMscO2vrDwqHtANEM5PmYd7UikIY1CDMOUd#/registration

WSU ROAR Tour

 

WSU ROAR tour dates for students, families and teachers

 

Be a tourist!

You’ve heard all about WSU ROAR. Now is your chance to see it.

The WSU ROAR program is pleased to offer a robust tour experience to those who may be interested – or have a loved on interested – in attending WSU and being a ROAR student.

Our full schedule of Spring 2024 tour dates will be revealed soon. Until then, we have added the following:

  • January 26

Here’s what the tour will include:

  • Meet WSU ROAR staff & students
  • Visit the ROAR space
  • Attend a ROAR-specific course
  • Receive ROAR information and learn about the program
  • Ask questions to ROAR staff

If interested in a tour, please let us know by filing out this form.

Visit our WSU ROAR Home Page to learn more about our program, how to apply, and to read our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Research Conversations

Alex Gang
Sport Fandom’s Contribution to Democracy: How Soccer Fans Socialize into Good Citizenship

Neoliberal ideologies are significantly shaping the landscape of modern professional sports. The trend towards commercialization appears inevitable for sports teams and their fan bases. Nevertheless, a growing movement advocates for collective ownership in soccer, championed by passionate fans committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and prosocial values. Alex travelled to the city of Hamburg, Germany, seeking to understand the intricate associational structures of soccer fan clubs that drive their members towards enhanced civic engagement and good citizenship.

Alex Gang smiling in front of the ficus elastica in classy Cleveland Hall on a dark and dreary day on the Palouse, a byproduct of Hurricane Hilary coming up the coast line and pushing its way to the Inland Northwest.

Dr. Alex Gang is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at WSU’s College of Education. His research centers on identifying the prosocial outcomes of sports participation from the perspective of civic engagement. He aims to uncover sport’s potential to make positive contribution to democracy by analyzing the conditions and structures of sport organizations that facilitate broader civic participation among participants. His recent publications delve into the influence of soccer fan clubs in promoting good citizenship among their members and the positive social capital outcomes resulting from Olympic volunteerism. Alex’s greatest passion lies in soccer, a game that he has been involved in as a professional athlete, coach, and practitioner across Korea, Germany, and the United States.

Community of Equity-Oriented Practitioners

The College of Education Equity and Inclusion Committee will be holding space for the last time this semester for those interested in talking about equity. We know that some indicated they couldn’t make the previous meeting(s), so we are hoping you can join us for our last meeting of the semester, on May 1. If you are interested in this work, in whatever way, please feel free to join us from 11-12:30, via Zoom. We will hold flexible breakout spaces where people can talk about their research, teaching, and or interests around issues related to equity. 

 

What: Community of Equity Oriented Practitioners

When: Monday, May 1, 11:00-12:30

Where: Zoom– Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93078855280?pwd=NU5SRDMrWUhqUWRiU1I2Q1p4Y2Vtdz09

 

Meeting ID: 930 7885 5280

Passcode: 840329

Date & Time: May 1, 2023 11:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Workshop: A more inclusive sexuality education

Sex Education week makes cameo at Washington State University

By David Blehm

Graduate assistant Kelley Wilds, who also serves as a WSU ROAR program instructor, recently received funding from the organization SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change to coordinate an awareness event on WSU campus during the Sex Ed Week in Action.

Wilds will be hosting an event on Monday, February 13th in room 204 at the CUB. The event will include an evening of storytelling and raising awareness for inclusive sexuality education.

“The desired outcome of this event is to raise awareness for sexuality education that is inclusive to everyone,” Wilds said. “In addition to learning about sex education facts, this event will be interactive and allow for attendees to learn about other experiences with sex education.”

In collaboration with WSU ROAR and the LGBTQ+ Center, all WSU students are welcome to join this event to learn more about inclusive sex education and have the opportunity to share personal experiences with sex education while learning about other perspectives.

“By sharing our stories, we can change the narrative through awareness and empowerment,” Wilds said.

 

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Getting to Know You: Matthew Cho


Matthew (far right) with SABR Diamond Dollars Case Study baseball analytics competition teammates: from left, Alex Yano, Dante Ludlow, Reagan Stubb, and Matthew.

Matthew Cho – Sport Management Undergrad

Name: Matthew Cho
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Year: 2021
Favorite sport: Baseball

What inspired you to study Sport Management?

I have always wanted to work in sports, and I figured this would be the best degree for me. At the end of the day, sports are a business, and I felt that learning as much information about the behind-the-scenes would be beneficial.

What advice do you have for incoming students pursuing this degree?

Something I have always struggled with was creating connections and maintaining them. You never know who can help you in the future so make sure to never burn bridges!

Tell us about your extracurricular activities while at WSU!

I was an assistant coach for the Colfax High School baseball team and helped during the Palouse Summer Series in baseball.

In 2019, you were part of a team that participated in a baseball analytics case study competition. What was the experience like?

This was an eye-opening experience for me. Not only did I represent WSU, but some of the top analytical minds in baseball minds were there and I listened to them speak. It was very humbling and a great learning experience. It helped me realized that just knowing the numbers isn’t enough.

If you could witness any event—past, present, or future—what would it be? Why?

It’s tough to choose but I would probably go back to Game 5 of the 1995 American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. This game saved baseball in Seattle, and I would have witnessed Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edgar Martinez in their prime.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Probably getting my current internship with Seattle University’s baseball team. Being able to influence the game plan, digging into the numbers, and providing support to the coaching staff has been awesome.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully in a position of influence in terms of game planning, scouting, and analytics for a baseball organization.

Your advice to students coping with the pandemic?

Continue looking for experiences. Organizations look for passion, but writing down you have passion on a resume isn’t enough. Rather than staying home and waiting for an opportunity, you can create a blog or a website and show your passion. However, at the end of the day, life is bigger than just sports, so take care of yourself and spend quality time with your loved ones!