Meet Our Faculty

Evan Hellwig (Chair)

Dr. Hellwig serves as the Chairman of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science and Professor of Athletic Training. He earned his B.S. from the University of Minnesota at Mankato (1984), his Physical Therapy Certificate from the University of Iowa School of Medicine (1986), and his Ph. D. from the University of Virginia (1992). He is a Certified Athletic Trainer (NATA) and a licensed physical therapist. Dr. Hellwig has four children, Chelsie, Jordan, Deric, and Lily. He is actively involved in his church as an adult Sunday school leader. In his spare time, he enjoys running, reading, and crossword puzzles. Dr. Hellwig taught at Cedarville from 1986-89, then took a leave to earn his Ph.D. He has been back at Cedarville since 1992.

Teresa Clark (Assistant Chair)

Mrs. Clark serves as Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and assistant chair of the Department of Exercise and Sports Science. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College (1975) and her M.S.from Indiana University (1986). She has been at Cedarville since 1996. She was recently honored as the 2007 Faculty Member of the Year, the AMC Coach of the Year and NAIA Region IX Coach of the Year. She is a member of the CU Disciplinary Action Board, Faculty Academic Advisory Committee, and MIS committee. She and her husband, Jim, are married and have two married children and two grandchildren. She is actively involved in short-term missions teams through Cedarville's Missions Involvement Service. In her spare time, Mrs. Clark enjoys tennis, swimming, and reading. She has been at Cedarville since 1996.

Shellie Arbogast

Mrs. Arbogast serves as an Administrative Assistant to the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. She earned her Associate's Degree in Secretarial Science from The Bradford School of Business in 1989. Shellie lives in Troy with her husband Jeff and two daughters, Shannon and Morgan. She is actively involved in her church where she serves as women's ministry leader. Her hobbies include attending various sporting events, gardening, decorating and scrapbooking.

Benson Belleman

Mr. Belleman serves as Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, sport management major coordinator, and men's soccer coach. At Cedarville since 2001, he earned his B.A. from Cedarville (1979) and his M.A. from the University of Akron (1990). He is the past president of the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association and the current chair of the NCCAA Soccer Committee. He was inducted into the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame in December 2005 and was named NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2001, 2004, and 2005. He also received the Faculty Innovator Award in 2009 for his work in developing the Dayton Dragons BB Practicum in the event management course. One of Ben's passions is soccer, as seen in his six soccer missions trips to Africa, Jamaica, Vancouver, Brazil, and Mexico and his work to begin a soccer sports ministry in the Cedarville community. Ben's family includes his wife, Amy, and their three children, Andrew and daughter-in-law Tiffany, Chelsea and son-in-law Nathan Martindale, and Alex.

Jeffrey Bolender

Mr. Bolender serves as Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and men's and women's track coach. He earned his B.A. from Cedarville (1991) and his M.S. from Baylor University (1996). He has been at Cedarville since 2001. Camping, biking, and running are all favorite activities of Jeff, his wife, Sharie, and their children, Daniel, Molly, and Isabelle. Jeff serves his church as a Sunday school teacher. He also enjoys coaching youth sports.

April Crommett

Dr. Crommett serves as Assistant Professor of Exercise Science. She earned her B.S. from Mississippi State Univ. (1991), her M.S. from Memphis State Univ. (1993) and her Ph.D. from The University of Mississippi (2000). She has been at Cedarville since 2003. Dr. Crommett is a member of the National & Regional American College of Sports Medicine and a reviewer for Desert Southwest Fitness Center for Continuing Education. Dr. Crommett is a certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and ACSM HFI.

Christopher Cross

Mr. Cross serves as Assistant Professor of Athletic Training and is Cedarville's sports team's Head Athletic Trainer. He obtained his B.S. in Sports Medicine from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV and a M.S. in Athletic Training from West Virginia University. Prior to coming to Cedarville University, he was the Director of Athletic Training for Salem International University. In this position, he was responsible for oversight of both the academic and athletic aspects of the athletic training department. Mr. Cross is married to Barbara and has three boys, Mason, Colby and Tyler. In his free time, Mr. Cross enjoys golfing and fishing.

Robert Duchardt

Mr. Duchardt serves as Assistant Professor of Athletic Training. He earned his B.S. from Taylor University (1965) and his M.S. from Union College, 1973. He has also conducted graduate study from West Chester State College (1977). Mr. Duchardt is a Certified Athletic Trainer and belongs to the NATA. He has been at Cedarville since 1989. Mr. Duchardt has four children and four grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys fly fishing and wood working.

Patrick Estepp

Kathleen Freese

Ms. Freese serves as Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science. She earned her B.S. from Bowling Green State University (1971) and her M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University (1981). She has been at Cedarville since 1991. Kathy has taught at the collegiate and secondary public school levels for 37 years. She has served as head coach in women's basketball,  women's volleyball, and women's softball in her 17 years at CU. She also coached for 20 years at the junior high and high school level in a variety of sports, in particular, basketball and volleyball. In 2002, the NCCAA honored Kathy by naming their Division I women's basketball player of the year award after her: The Kathy Freese National Player of the Year. In 1997, Ms. Freese was inducted as a charter member into the Perrysburg High School Coaches Hall of Fame. She has taken six teams overseas through the CU Missions Involvement Service. In her spare time, Ms. Freese enjoys gardening, walking, cycling, and camping.

Alan Geist

Dr. Geist serves Cedarville University as the Athletic Director and as an Assistant Professor for the Sport Management Program. He earned his B.A. in English Education from Cedarville (1983), his M.S. in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy (1989), and his Ph.D. in Sport Management from The Ohio State University (2001). He has been a faculty member in Cedarville's Sport management Program since its inception serving in a full-time capacity from 2005-2008. Before returning to Cedarville, Dr. Geist served as a teacher and administrator at both the high school and college level, including a number of years in athletic administration at each level. He is a member of the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) and enjoys watching sporting events, biking, and lifting weights. He and his wife, Lynn, have two sons, William and Ryan, and they attend church in Cedarville.

Leyna Hebert

Ms. Hebert serves as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and a Clinical Instructor for the Athletic Training education program. She received her B.S. in Athletic Training from The Ohio State University in 2007 after completing her internship with the Chicago Fire (a MLS team) in 2006. She received her M.S. in Athletic Training from the University of Kentucky in 2009 where she also worked as the graduate assistant athletic trainer for the women's volleyball team. Leyna enjoys running, outdoor adventure activities and traveling.

Pamela Diehl Johnson

Dr. Johnson serves as Senior Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, associate women's tennis coach, and Dean of the School of Social Sciences & Human Performance. She earned her B.S. from the University of Dayton (1970) and her M.A. (1971) and Ph.D. (1974) from The Ohio State University. She has been at Cedarville since 1974. Dr. Johnson is chair of the NAIA Women's Tennis National Tournament Committee. She coauthored the book Physical Fitness and the Christian, which is in its fourth edition. She is actively involved in her church as the director of the Sparks program, participates in the Fellowship Committee, and assists with the ministry for children with special needs. Dr. Johnson and her husband Cliff enjoy tennis, hiking, and traveling.

Elvin King

Mr. King serves as Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and women's cross country coach. He earned his B.S. from Kent State University (1964) and his M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University (1967). He has been at Cedarville since 1969. Mr. King is the founder of the NCCAA National Track Meet and has managed the NCCAA National Cross Country Meet 27 out of the last 29 years. He is in the Cedarville College Athletic Hall of Fame (1988), the NCCAA Hall of Fame (1993), and NAIA Hall of Fame (2005). He is also a past President of Ohio Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association. Mr. King serves as a deacon at his church and is on the Cedarville village park board. He has two children and four grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, fishing, hunting, power checkers, supporting the Cleveland Browns and Indians and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kirk Martin

Mr. Martin serves as Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and women's basketball coach. He earned his B.A. from Cedarville (1976) and his M.S. from the University of Dayton (1981). He has been at Cedarville since 2001. He is a 4-time AMC conference coach of the year. He and his wife, Vicki, enjoy attending activities involving their children. Mr. Martin has three children and 1 grandchild. Kirk has been on 4 missions trips and enjoys them immensely. He is a nursery worker and usher at his church and also serves on the Missions Committee.

John McGillivray

Mr. McGillivray serves as Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and women's soccer coach. He earned his B.S. from Cedarville College (1970) and his M.S. from the University of Dayton (1976). He has been at Cedarville since 1974. He was a NAIA Hall of Fame inductee in 1993. He is actively involved in his church as an adult Bible fellowship teacher and usher. Mr. McGillivray has traveled with men's soccer teams to Ivory Coast, West Africa and Bangladesh, and the women's soccer teams to South Korea, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Dominican Republic. He and his wife Bonnie have five children and thirteen grandchildren. His hobbies include running, biking, watching sports on TV, and doing car repairs.

L. Delyte Morris

Dr. Morris earned her B. S. from Geneva College (1959), her M.S. from Indiana University (1960), and her Ph.D. from Indiana University (1966). She also earned a degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the Kettering College of Medical Arts (1979). She has been teaching classes in the department of Exercise and Sport Science for more than 25 years. Dr. Morris is an NCCPA certified physician assistant, and continues to practice part time in Springfield, Ohio. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Ohio Physician Assistant Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. She is head women's tennis coach, and is active in NAIA and NCCAA Tennis Administration. She is actively involved in her local church. Dee is single, and lives in Cedarville with her golden retriever/collie, Bailey.

Paul Orchard

Mr. Orchard serves as Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science and men's cross country coach. He earned his B.S. from Taylor University (1983) and his M.A. from Miami University (1986). He has been at Cedarville since 1993. He has received level 2 certification from the USATF. Paul and his wife, Wendy, have four children. They are involved in the music ministries in their church and enjoy traveling to Michigan and outdoor recreation activities. Prior to taking over the men's cross country program, he served as head man's and women's track and field coach for 10 years.

Steven Patterson

 Mr. Patterson serves as Assistant Professor and Clinical Education Coordinator for the Athletic Training Education Program. He obtained his B.S. (1998) from Vanguard University of Southern California, his M.S. (2002) from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is currently completing his doctorate in Health Care Education from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to coming to Cedarville University, he was a Visiting Professor of Athletic Training at Nova Southeastern University after spending the first eight years of his career working in the athletic training clinical setting. He is married to Kirsten, and in his free time he enjoys golf and traveling.

Elizabeth Shearer

Mrs. Shearer serves as Instructor of Exercise and Sport Science. She earned her B.A. degree from Cedarville (1980). She has been at Cedarville since 1979. She is a certified lifeguard, professional CPR, first aid, and water safety instructor. She and her husband Byron lived in Russia for a year and currently serve as missionaries to Europe and Asia with Evangelical Baptist Mission. They have four children, Andrew, Betsy, Joni, and Suzy, and have fourteen grandchildren. Libby is active in her local church and takes pleasure in swimming, biking, hiking, reading, and spending quality time with the family.

Sandra Shortt

Dr. Sandra S. Shortt serves as the Wellness Center coordinator and adjunct instructor for the department of exercise and sport science. She earned her B.S.Ed. from Central Michigan University (1976), and her M.S.Ed. (1978) and her Ed.D. (1982) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She received her CHES credential in April 2000. Dr. Shortt enjoys singing in the choir of her local church, reading, sewing, gardening, and hiking. She and her husband, Jeff, professor of electrical engineering, have five children. She has been with Cedarville since 1997.

Ellen Thompson

Ellen Thompson is a Registered Dietitian. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 1985 with a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Ellen has had a varied background in Dietetics since 1986; including hospital dietetics, nursing homes, inspecting nursing homes and hospitals and running a consulting business. Ellen has taught in the CU nursing department for the past 10 years, and has been helping students with their dietary needs at the student health clinic (UMS) since 1997. Ellen loves to help people eat right and "get healthy." Ellen grew up on a farm in Minnesota. Ellen and her husband Tom (a professor at CU in Engineering) have three children. Ellen loves to cook, bake and spend time helping at church.

Doug Walters

I received my A.A. from Southern State Community College in 1994, my B.A. from Northern Kentucky University in 1997, and my M.S. from University of Dayton in 2002. I also serve as the Head Womens' Volleyball Coach at Cedarville and have done so since 2008. Previously I have coached and taught at the high school level for 12 years before coming to Cedarville full-time this fall. I am married to my beautiful wife, Angela, and have one daughter, Caitlyn. We are very active in our church at the First Baptist Church of Mt. Orab, OH. I am also an active member of the Gideons International.