Jeff Roitman, Ed.D., has been named director of the sports science program at Rockhurst University, effective Aug. 1, 2008.

Roitman brings extensive experience in health and wellness education to the recently launched program. Before joining Rockhurst in January as an associate professor, Roitman served as director of cardiac rehabilitation at Research Medical Center. There, he helped the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department achieve a Best Practice designation from HCA, the parent company of Research Medical Center.

Rockhurst introduced the two-track bachelor of sports science degree program in fall 2007. The health and wellness track prepares students for graduate study in physical or occupational therapy or careers in personal training, corporate wellness or medical rehabilitation. The sports administration track prepares students for entry into Rockhurst’s fifth-year master of business administration program or career paths in sports marketing and management or recreational facilities management.

“The health of this country is in sad shape and there will be no shortage of opportunities in this field – in the areas of both health and fitness and sports management,” said Roitman.

Roitman earned a doctor of education in physical education and exercise physiology and a master of arts in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a bachelor of science in English and physical education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Roitman says he plans to continue to develop the sports science program’s curriculum and internship program, which already has placed student interns in several local sports franchises.