At the time David Lorenzi was recognized in 2012-13, his background information for why he received the Coppler Award was as follows:
Nominators' statements about Lorenzi:
"Dr. Lorenzi has been involved in working with special needs students and has developed the Special Needs Activity Program (SNAP) program at IUP. In addition, David teaches the HPED 370 Adapted Physical Education course which focuses on inclusion for all students regards of special needs. He works tirelessly, including many weekends and after school hours, to enable our students to be engaged in this important aspect of their health and physical education degree. Lorenzi is deserving of this award."
"An associate professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education, Dr. David Lorenzi is also director of the IUP Special Needs Activity Program (SNAP). This biweekly program offers unique opportunities and experiences in motor development, physical fitness, and aquatics for children and adults with disabilities. Under Lorenzi's direction, this program has grown significantly and now regularly serves more than 80 children and adults from Indiana and surrounding communities. This semester, Lorenzi also began a similar program of physical activity and aquatic instruction for approximately 30 members of Lifesteps, a community service organization for adults with various disabilities. These programs not only offer recognized service for many disabled members of our local community, but they also promote awareness and understanding of disability-related issues and provide valuable learning opportunities for IUP students.
"More than 215 health and physical education major students participate in multiple SNAP sessions each semester as a requirement of health and physical education major classes, including HPED 344, HPED 370, and HPED 209. Additionally, approximately 50 IUP student volunteers from Greek organizations, athletics, and various student clubs assist in the biweekly programs.
"Lorenzi has also provided leadership through multiple professional organizations, promoting awareness and educational programming for disability education. He currently serves as chair of both the Adapted Aquatics Committee of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation and the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Adapted Physical Education Committee. He is also past chair of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Adapted Physical Activities Committee. Recognized by professional peers for his contributions in the area of adapted physical education, Lorenzi was the recipient of the PSAHPERD Adapted Physical Activities Professional Recognition Award (2011), the EDA Honor Award (2011), and the AAPAR Council for Aquatics Professionals National Service Award (2011).
"Lorenzi is also a master teacher of Adapted Aquatics, and he has provided this certification workshop for other professionals at the past four national AAHPERD conventions. He has given over 50 presentations on adapted physical education at national, regional, and local levels and has published multiple articles in this area of expertise. One of his most recent efforts has been to help establish the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education Adapted Physical Education Advisory Board.
"Lorenzi completed his undergraduate degree at Slippery Rock University in the areas of Health and Physical Education, earning certifications in Adapted Physical Education and Sport Management. His master's degree was completed at the University of Georgia in Adapted Physical Education, and his doctoral degree was completed at West Virginia University in Physical Education Teacher Education with a cognate area in special education. Prior to his appointment at IUP, Lorenzi was a faculty member at West Liberty State College and taught in both public and private school settings in Georgia and Virginia.
"IUP undergraduate courses regularly taught by Lorenzi include HPED 344 Adapted Physical Activity and Sport, HPED 370 Adapted Health and Physical Education, and HPED 209 Motor Behavior. At the graduate level, Lorenzi regularly teaches HPED 670 Advanced Seminar in Adapted Physical Education and HPED 631 Motor Learning. Lorenzi's research areas at IUP include physical activity, aquatics, sport, and physical education for individuals with disabilities. I am pleased to nominate Dr. Lorenzi for this year's Ray Coppler Award."