Bio - Victor H. Mancini, E.D.

Dr. Victor H. Mancini, Professor in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Ithaca College, graduated with a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island, obtained his M.S. and CAGS from Springfield College, and received his Doctor of Education from Boston University. Mancini was a teacher/coach at both Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania from 1964-1966, and at Springfield College from 1967-1974. Mancini has been a member of the Ithaca College faculty for 29 years, where he was the former Chairperson of the Department of Health Promotion and Human Movement for 12 years, the Coordinator of the Curriculum and Methods Laboratory, Coordinator of the coaching minor and was selected as the first Director of Teacher Education at Ithaca College.

Dr. Mancini has been a prolific writer and speaker, with his work focusing on the analysis of teaching and coaching behavior. Through his work, Mancini sought to bridge the gap between the researcher and the teacher/coach. He has co-authored or co-edited texts entitled Systematic Observation: Instrumentation for Physical Education, Analyzing Physical Education and Sport Instruction; Interaction Analysis: An Application to Nonverbal Activity; Humanistic Sport Experience: Vision and Realities; and Sport in the 21st Century: Alternatives for the New Millennium.

Additionally, he has written over 45 articles which have appeared in the International Journal of Physical Education, The Journal of Classroom Interaction, The Journal of Sport Psychology, The Journal of Teaching and Physical Education, The Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, The Physical Educator, and The Journal of Sport Behavior. Mancini has made nearly 100 presentations on teaching, teacher education, and coaching at various professional levels.

Mancini has served his college and profession through active membership on numerous committees. He was the Chairperson of the Curriculum and Instruction Academy of NASPE from 1984-86; a Research Consortium Fellow since 1986, selected as the Eastern District Association (EDA) Teacher of the Year—college division in 1985, and held the position of Chairperson of the New York State Professional Preparation Council in Physical Education, 1991-1994.

Mancini is the consummate professional, dedicated to both his teaching and research. As one of the leaders in the field of Pedagogy, it is rewarding to see that he practices what he teaches. Ithaca College, through the generosity of the Charles Dana Foundation, annually recognizes faculty members who have distinguished themselves through their teaching and research. Mancini has been honored three times: in 1981-82 he was awarded the Dana Fellowship for teaching excellence and in 1984-85 and 1987-88 he was awarded the Dana Fellowship for excellence in research. One of Vic’s greatest strengths is his warmth and concern for others; this characteristic is evident in his teaching. He deeply cares about his students and has spent countless and often unrecognized hours advising undergraduate students about their future and over 100 graduate students have benefited from his expertise and encouragement in the writing of their research endeavors.