Plymouth State alumnus Barry Lavay ’83, professor of kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach, received the Adapted Physical Education Professional Recognition Award from the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) and the State Council of Adapted Physical Education (SCAPE). The annual award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in the field of adapted physical education. Lavay was honored for his body of work, including his long-standing excellence in the classroom and extensive publication record.

As a professor at CSULB, he trains students to teach physical education to individuals with disabilities and coordinates the State Adapted Physical Education Teaching Credential Program. Approximately 200 students have received a California APE Specialist credential since 1990.

Lavay is also director of the on-campus after school and summer physical activity programs for children with disabilities, including the Perceptual Motor Development Clinic and Camp Nugget, which offers positive, high-quality physical activity experiences to children ages five to 12 with disabilities.

“Cal State Long Beach and the kinesiology department have a long, rich tradition training teachers to teach adapted physical education dating back to the late 1960s,” said Lavay. “I feel very fortunate to be in a position to continue that tradition and pass it on to future generations.”

His previous awards include CSULB’s Outstanding Professor Award and the American Alliance for Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Adapted Physical Activity Council Professional Recognition Award, both in 2001. He has served on numerous organizations in support of adapted physical education.

Lavay has been on the faculty at Cal State Long Beach since 1988. After completing his bachelor’s degree at Plymouth State, he earned his master’s degree at Eastern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in special physical education at the University of New Mexico.