Teaching is not the only love for this Education Professor

Traci Tuttle has been the Assistant Professor of Education and the Executive Director of the Plus Program at Muskingum University for two years , and if there is one thing she loves to talk about, it’s sports.

Traci has had the passion for athletics for most of her life and she attributes her passion to her father.

“My dad was very passionate about sports and I remember him watching baseball, football, and basketball,” said Tuttle.

Tuttle was the youngest daughter growing up. She would say that by default, she was the boy of the family until her brother came along.

 Tuttle shared she played basketball and ran track growing up but she also enjoys watching other sports as well.  Growing up, and still to this day, Tuttle’s favorite sport to watch is football.

“Honestly, I think I am too aggressive. I enjoy watching people get hit,” said Tuttle.

She expressed that her favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even when they are not having a great season, she sees a bigger role with the Steelers and their commitment to community involvement. She believes that there is a sense of loyalty within that organization that she feels has been missing up until recently.

Growing up around athletics and playing sports has really helped Tuttle believe that they are a great way to get involved. Working within the education field, she has had many student athletes and admires their work ethic.

“I think that there is definitely a benefit being involved, especially in team sports. It helps with communication and collaboration.” said Tuttle.

She explained that she sees a lot of value in how athletics have assisted her students. “When working with younger students, I actually encourage participation in team sports and that involvement level and with the higher level learning in how to prioritize. ” Said Tuttle.

Being a mom to athletes has also helped keep her knowledge of motivation and  involvement fresh. Being an athlete growing up and teaching so many athletes throughout her career  has made her understanding of sports and what it does for the kids, has really helped raise her own kids through their journey as an athlete.”My participation and my role as a mom and knowing that role of participation helps because I am not arbitrarily saying things,” said Tuttle. 

Tuttle shared that one of her favorite things to do is watching her own children play sports. She shared she enjoys spending the five to six hours per week watching them participate, learn and grow.