Dr. Thomas F. West
Education
- B.S.: Health Education, Athletic Training Option, Penn State University
- M.S.: Physical Education, Athletic Training, West Virginia University
- Ph.D.: Kinesiology, Motor Behavior Specialization, Penn State University
Biography
Dr. West, Ph.D., ATC, is in his sixth year as a professor in the Department of Health Science at California University of Pennsylvania. He is the director of the graduate athletic training education program at Cal U. Additionally, he teaches courses in the exercise science and health promotion graduate program and the undergraduate program in wellness and fitness.
Prior to coming to California University, he held the position of associate professor at Lock Haven University. At LHU, he served as director of the athletic training education program and worked as an assistant athletic trainer. Dr. West has also held clinical athletic training and teaching positions at Penn State University and George Washington University.
Dr. West has stayed active professionally in several ways. Currently he is president of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society (PATS). He serves as a site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Recently he served for three years as chair of the PATS Convention Committee. He has presented at state, national and international conferences. He presented research results at the International Olympic Committee World Congress on Sports Sciences in Athens, Greece.
Dr. West is married to Ellen West, an athletic trainer and fellow faculty member at Cal. They have two sons, Tucker and Sam, and a daughter, Grace. In addition to playing with the kids, he enjoys traveling and golf.
Courses
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Kinesiology
- Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training
- Contemporary Issues in Athletic Training
- Methods of Research in the Allied Health Professions
- Thesis Seminar
Research Projects That Involve Students
- Fisher, A. (2009). The Effects of Cryotherapy Over the Lateral Ankle on Static and Dynamic Balance. Committee Chair.
- Melanson, K. (2009). The Effects of Different Warmup Protocols on Balance in Collegiate Athletes as Measured by the Biodex Balance System. Committee Chair.
- Renwick, D. (2009). The Effects of a Twenty Minute Ice Bag Application to the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle on Functional Performance. Committee Chair.
- Novia, C. (2008). The Effects of Dynamic Resistive Tubing as a Warm Up on the Throwing Shoulder of Collegiate Baseball Players. Committee Chair.
- Machnik, S. (2007). Reliability of the Single Leg Romberg Stance Test Compared to the Balance Error Scoring System. Committee Chair.
- McKelvey, M. (2007). Reliability and Validity of a Golf Swing Analysis Software During a Static and Dynamic Task. Committee Chair.
- Tipsword, S. (2006). Increasing Vertical Jump Height in High School Female Volleyball Players Through the Use of Plyometric Training and Recovery. Committee Chair.
Academic Department(s)
- Department of Health Science
Academic Program(s)
- B.S. Athletic Training
- B.S. Sport Management-Online Wellness and Fitness
- M.S. Athletic Training
Quotable
"My position allows me to work with students at all levels from first semester undergraduate and graduate students. In this time, I have the opportunity to see them grow and mature into professionals who will have an impact on their chosen professions."
