Val Hershberger

Activity Classes

• Aerobic Conditioning
• Badminton
• Canoeing
• Cycling
• Golf
• International Folk Dance
• Racquetball
• Swimming
• Volleyball
• Weight Training – Co Ed
• Weight Training – Women
• Wellness for Life – General Education

Majors Courses

Introduction to Kinesiology

This course provides an overview of the discipline of kinesiology with particular focus on the key concepts of the subdisciplines and the diverse range of professional careers associated with physical activity. It is intended for students entering or exploring a major in kinesiology, with a focus on the integrative nature of the discipline and current trends and topics.

Sport Management

A focus on administrative practices in the areas of legal responsibility, personnel, finance, public relations, equipment, and facilities. Issues related to youth sport, high school, collegiate, and professional sports are discussed. Sociological and psychological issues related to leadership roles in sport are also included.

Theory and Techniques of Coaching

This course presents an overview of basic theories and coaching applications, including topics such as; philosophy, psychology, ethics, coaching diverse athletes, current training techniques, practice and game preparation. Students will take the ASEP Exam for Certification at the completion of the course.

Camping and Recreation – Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Students will have a hands on learning experience along with an interdisciplinary approach. They will learn a variety of skills including: Canoeing safety and paddling skills, equipment selection, trip planning, map and compass, food selection, preparation, environmental care and study, spiritual growth and leadership skills. This course is  two weeks, with the first week spent at Wilderness Wind in Ely, MN in classroom and orientation sessions. The second week is a seven day wilderness trip in the BWCA along the US/Canada border in pristine wilderness. This class was offered in May of 2019, with eleven students attending.

Sport Culture and Psychology

Sport has been and continues to be an integral part of culture and tradition in every country in the world. In this course we examine the role sport plays in society, the culture of sport and team as well as some selected psychological aspects in sport. Theory and conceptual frameworks will be used in the sociological analysis of sport and the exploration of aspects of sport psychology. Topics include: influence of sport in culture, sport for political assertion and social advancement, team dynamics, role clarity, communication, cohesion, competition and cooperation, aggression and psychological aspects related to team and individual performance.

Event and Facility Management

This course focuses on management theory, principles and practices in the context of sport. Students will acquire knowledge, skills and dispositions important for professional management of various types of sport facilities and for directing sports events. Related practical professional skills are developed in the KIN 354: Event and Facility Management practicum experiences.

ACE Certification

I purchased the study materials for the ACE personal training certification in March of 2019. I sat for that exam and passed it. The ACE  personal training certification is valid for two years. I updated my ACE certification in 2021, it is valid for two more years.

ARC Instructor Certification

I took a course this past spring to update my instructor certification for the American Red Cross. It is valid for two years.

Course Development Institute

This will be the fourth time that I have participated in the Course Development Institute. Jewel and I  developed two new courses for our Sport Management Major. I developed and taught the Facility and Event Management course and Jewel will be working on the Sport Culture and Psychology course. We will co-teach this course in the spring of 2021.

Elkhart River Adoption

Since 2005 the Kinesiology department organizes a group of students to remove trash from a six mile stretch of the Elkhart River between Roger’s Park and Oxbow Park.  Each year, we have an ICC group of students led by Keith Graber Miller who help out by canoeing the river pulling small and large items from the water.  We often get tires, several large garbage bags of recyclables, appliances, bikes, toys, batteries, and many other items. Each year we make a remarkable difference in the appearance of the river. With the flooding this past winter there will be many more items to remove next fall.

 Hi-Line Golf Course

Since 2011, along with Dr. John Ingold, we have maintained the three hole golf course located to the south of campus. Due to budgetary restrictions the college no longer maintains the course. In 2013, we were able to obtain a 2000, Toro greens mower which was needed to replace the older Jacobsen. This machine keeps the greens in perfect condition and is much easier to operate.  We have replaced older signage and the old backstop was removed. We continue to clean up brush along the railroad tracks. The course is currently in excellent shape to play golf and work on that short game. It is open to all community members who want to play for free.

American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Training

I regularly teach  First Aid, CPR/AED courses to area community members in Elkhart and Lagrange county. Many teachers and health services individuals are required to carry CPR and AED certification. It has been fun meeting new people in the community and at the same time passing along valuable training that might assist in saving someone’s life.

Groups that are certified each year are the graduate students at Merry Lea, Umble Center staff and Sauder Hall staff, CCYC teachers and staff at the College Mennonite Church pre-school. Currently there are classes for the Goshen College Education department to certify all new teachers each spring preparing them for their fall student teaching assignments.

Camp Amigo

Every  year I participate in helping out at Camp Amigo for their large school groups that come to camp in May.  I generally work at the small pond below camp and teach children how to fish for the day. Other activities include; driving a tractor and giving wagon rides and learning about the importance of wetlands and bogs. This past May I taught fourth grade students archery and first graders about watching and identifying birds.

The camp experienced some serious wind damage to trees and buildings in the late summer of 2021. This past fall and this spring I worked with Mennonite Disaster Service on two different occasions helping to repair roofs affected by this storm.

Memberships

AAHPERD – American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

IAAHPERD – Indiana Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

NSCA – National Strength and Conditioning Association

Certifications

ACE – American Council on Exercise, 2019

First Aid/CPR/AED Trainer Instructor – American Red Cross

First Aid/CPR/AED – American Red Cross

Core Refresh Committee 20-21

RFC Steering Committee 21-present

Faculty Committee -22