Faculty & Contact Info

Exercise and Sport Science

Joel M. Schuldheisz, BA, MEd, PhD
jschuldheisz@cu-portland.edu
Chair, Exercise & Sport Science; Professor of Exercise & Sport Science
Joel is passionate about physical activity, fitness, and sports while demonstrating the relentless pursuit of a sound mind and body. As a faculty member for over 25 years at Concordia University he has modeled a healthy lifestyle and challenged students to maximize their potential. In addition to his teaching in the College of Health and Human Services at Concordia, he has coached, served as athletics director, and faculty athletic representative. Joel is currently the ESS department chair and chair of the faculty executive committee. Dr. Schuldheisz earned his doctorate in Sport Pedagogy from Oregon State University, a Master's degree in Physical Education from University of Minnesota with an emphasis in biomechanics, and Bachelor's degree in K-12 physical education from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota.

G. F. "Cisco" Ryes, Ph.D., CSCS
greyes@cu-portland.edu
Associate Professor of Exercise & Sport Science
Cisco brings a wealth of strength and conditioning and sports performance training experience to Concordia's ESS program. As a collegiate athlete at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, his pursuit of excellence and desire to learn and apply the most current research in exercise science lead him to graduate school. Dr. Reyes completed both his doctorate and master's degree at the University of Idaho with his dissertation focusing on the effects of whole-body vibration on baseball bat swing velocity. Prior to coming to Concordia University, Dr. Reyes served as an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University for three years where he published several articles pertaining to sports performance enhancement. Cisco is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and directs the Human Performance Lab at Concordia. His knowledge and passion for biomechanics and exercise physiology enable him to provide relevant labs using the EKG, metabolic cart, Bob Pod, and dynamic field-based learning experiences incorporating the Functional Movement Screen TM and the Dartfish TM Motion Analysis Software.

Brad Barbarick, BS, MS
bbarbarick@cu-portland.edu
Men's Basketball Coach; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Brad has served the Concordia community since 1994 as the head men's basketball coach and teaches a variety of classes, including Intro to Exercise and Sport Science, Curriculum & Instruction of Elementary Health and Physical Education, Sports Skill Analysis, Theory of Coaching Basketball, Heath and Fitness for Life, and several physical activity courses. He also supervises student teachers and practicum students. Professor Barbarick holds a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Exercise and Sport Science from Western Oregon State College and Oregon State University.

Daniel Birkey, BS, MS
dbirkey@cu-portland.edu
Men's Soccer Coach; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Dan holds a master's degree in Kinesiology from Portland State University and teaches Kinesiology and Coaching Science courses at Concordia University. In addition to teaching, Professor Birkey is the head men's soccer coach. With over 280 collegiate wins in 21 years at Concordia, Coach Birkey is listed in the top 15 all time winningest soccer coaches in the NAIA and was voted into the Cascade Collegiate Conference Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.

Aaron Christian, BA, MEd
achristian@cu-portland.edu
Women's Basketball Coach; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Aaron is the head women's basketball coach and teaches Fitness for Life, Stress Management, Aerobic Conditioning, and Basketball Theory. He holds a Master of Education in Athletic Administration from Washington State University and has experience teaching physical education at several universities in the Northwest and in California.

Emily Kosderka, BS, MS
ekosderka@cu-portland.edu
Head Athletic Trainer; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Emily is the head athletic trainer at Concordia University. She holds a master's degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University and teaches courses on advanced Athletic Training, Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries, and Practicum courses.

Grant Landy, BA
glandy@cu-portland.edu
Women's Soccer Coach; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Grant Landy is the head women's soccer coach and teaches Health and Fitness for Life and a number of physical activity courses. As coach he ranks sixth in all-time wins in the NAIA with over 210 wins. Professor Landy earned his B.A. from Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California in 1991.

Rob Vance, BA, MST
rvance@cu-portland.edu
Men's Baseball Coach; Exercise & Sport Science Instructor
Rob holds a master's degree in Sports Science from Portland State University. He joined Concordia in 1999 after spending over a decade in the public school system teaching physical education, weight training, health, and other subjects. Professor Vance teaches courses on communicable diseases, strength and conditioning, secondary health and PE methods, and is also the head men's baseball coach.

Jennifer Pearce
Program Coordinator
jpearce@cu-portland.edu
503-280-8600