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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.”