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| Dominic Morais. (Photo courtesy of Dominic Morais) |
By Bret Smith
Dominic Morais faced a tough choice right before he joined Trinity University in 2015. He was offered two jobs: a tenure track position at California State University at Northridge and a visiting professor position at Trinity. A Tenure track position is a long term employment, while a visiting professorship is temporary.
Even though the Northridge offer was a safer decision, Morais went against his advisors and decided on Trinity.
“Trinity was the type of culture I wanted. It reminded me a lot of Vanderbilt in that it was a small school from a lot of standpoints,” said Morais. “I just felt like I could make an impact here, like I could be here and I could actually start changing things and I just did not feel that at all with Cal State.” Morais went to Vanderbilt for his undergraduate study.
Three years later, Morais has worked his way up to become a tenure-track assistant professor in sports management at Trinity, as well as doing a little bit of strength and conditioning coaching on the side.
Morais has taught classes such as Sport in Society, History of American Sport, and Contemporary American Sport. “He is a high energy teacher who brings it everyday, and expects the same from his students,” said Johnny Kassis, a senior business marketing major.
Like Kassis, many students have started to gravitate towards his classes because of his enthusiastic and energetic teaching style. “Morais is a very outgoing person that isn’t afraid to speak his mind,” said Mike Inco, a junior history major.
At the same time, Morais is fully aware that he is still learning on the job and is always open to feedback. “I think he is constantly working to become a better professor by getting feedback from students and that is very impressive and it makes a difference,” said Olivia Thomas, a junior communications major.
Originally from a small town near Houston called Dayton, Texas, Morais was interested in sports from a young age, already wanting to play football as a kindergartener. His parents did not want him to play at such a young age, and instead enrolled him and his brother in karate lessons. Morais went on to earned his black belt when he was in the sixth grade.
“I could remember in sixth grade everyone played little league something. It was either baseball, or football,” Morais recalled. Not wanting to be left out, he was doing everything he could to catch up to his peers. “I played football, lifted weights, and I ran track.”
After finishing high school, Morais attended Vanderbilt University from 2004 to 2008 where he studied human and organizational development. It was also at Vanderbilt where Morais started to pursue his passion for weightlifting, which he started practicing in the seventh grade. After graduating from Vanderbilt, Morais found himself working at the front desk of a gym. “I started realizing I really like this, this is something I’m very passionate about,” said Morais.
This realization eventually led him to Eastern Illinois where he earned his master’s degree in sports administration and served as a graduate assistant for the strength and conditioning head coach. A few years later, Morais earned his doctorate in physical culture and sports studies from University of Texas at Austin.
Despite having a full time job at Trinity, Morais has not lost his passion for strength and conditioning as he continues to instruct people in fitness and health as a private coach at a gym. “It can get really hectic because I am not an organized person in the first place,” said Morais. “Just the fact that I’m helping theses people reach their goals, it is literally the same thing I’m doing here with students.”
In retrospect, Morais knows he made the right decision coming to Trinity. “I do best when I can have some real one-on-one time and get to know people,” he said. Olivia Thomas, the student, agreed, “He is an intelligent professor who wants his students to get the most out of his classes and to help leave an impact on them going forward into the work world.”
Even though the Northridge offer was a safer decision, Morais went against his advisors and decided on Trinity.
“Trinity was the type of culture I wanted. It reminded me a lot of Vanderbilt in that it was a small school from a lot of standpoints,” said Morais. “I just felt like I could make an impact here, like I could be here and I could actually start changing things and I just did not feel that at all with Cal State.” Morais went to Vanderbilt for his undergraduate study.
Three years later, Morais has worked his way up to become a tenure-track assistant professor in sports management at Trinity, as well as doing a little bit of strength and conditioning coaching on the side.
Morais has taught classes such as Sport in Society, History of American Sport, and Contemporary American Sport. “He is a high energy teacher who brings it everyday, and expects the same from his students,” said Johnny Kassis, a senior business marketing major.
Like Kassis, many students have started to gravitate towards his classes because of his enthusiastic and energetic teaching style. “Morais is a very outgoing person that isn’t afraid to speak his mind,” said Mike Inco, a junior history major.
At the same time, Morais is fully aware that he is still learning on the job and is always open to feedback. “I think he is constantly working to become a better professor by getting feedback from students and that is very impressive and it makes a difference,” said Olivia Thomas, a junior communications major.
Originally from a small town near Houston called Dayton, Texas, Morais was interested in sports from a young age, already wanting to play football as a kindergartener. His parents did not want him to play at such a young age, and instead enrolled him and his brother in karate lessons. Morais went on to earned his black belt when he was in the sixth grade.
“I could remember in sixth grade everyone played little league something. It was either baseball, or football,” Morais recalled. Not wanting to be left out, he was doing everything he could to catch up to his peers. “I played football, lifted weights, and I ran track.”
After finishing high school, Morais attended Vanderbilt University from 2004 to 2008 where he studied human and organizational development. It was also at Vanderbilt where Morais started to pursue his passion for weightlifting, which he started practicing in the seventh grade. After graduating from Vanderbilt, Morais found himself working at the front desk of a gym. “I started realizing I really like this, this is something I’m very passionate about,” said Morais.
This realization eventually led him to Eastern Illinois where he earned his master’s degree in sports administration and served as a graduate assistant for the strength and conditioning head coach. A few years later, Morais earned his doctorate in physical culture and sports studies from University of Texas at Austin.
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| Dr. Morais in class. (Photo by Bret Smith) |
In retrospect, Morais knows he made the right decision coming to Trinity. “I do best when I can have some real one-on-one time and get to know people,” he said. Olivia Thomas, the student, agreed, “He is an intelligent professor who wants his students to get the most out of his classes and to help leave an impact on them going forward into the work world.”
And having an impact on people’s lives for the better has been the objective in everything Morais does, whether it is teaching in the classroom or coaching at the gym. “I like interacting with students, interacting with people, and just make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
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