A Brief History Of The College Physical Education Association

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Henry Frederick Dunbar, Jr. This dissertation has been approved for final examination by the student's Dissertation Committee whose written approval is on file in the Advanced School. Dissertation Committee: Professor Clifford L. Brownell, Chairman Professor Manson Van B. Jennings, Member of Committee Professor B. Freeman Butts, Member of Committee Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Philosophy, Columbia University 1950 PREFACE The purpose of this study is to produce an accurate and detailed account of the inauguration and development of the Col­ lege Physical Education Association (known as the Society of College Gymnasium Directors when it was founded in 1897). It is hoped that through a review of the thinking of some of the early leaders in the field of physical education, as revealed in the actions of the only college physical education association, a better understanding of contemporary problems may be gained. A further purpose is to suggest through this survey of past events and experiences some general trends which may serve the Association as guides for present and future action in solving problems. Appreciation is hereby expressed to the Executive Coun­ cil of the Association for granting permission to undertake this study (see Appendix XV) and for making available the official records and literature of the Association for this purpose. Also useful in writing this study were institutional records, perti­ nent literature in the fields of general education, physical education and athletics, correspondence and interviews with mem­ bers of the Association. Because the major part of this study has been taken from the records of the Association it might be thought that the study will be prejudiced in favor of the Associ­ ation; however other sources were so general that they were of little or no value with regard to the activities of the Associ­ ation. In recording the development of the Association, an attempt has been made to present all important points of view expressed by the members, whether they were favorable or un­ favorable. In the early chapters the terms "systemn and "method" are used frequently in relation to gymnastics. For purposes of this study, the term "system" will refer to any scientific com­ bination of gymnastic exercises based upon physiological laws, their classification, and Instruction in their practical appli­ cation. "Method" will refer to the application of a "system" according to the different needs of age, sex, health, and phys­ ical development. There are two other terms used in the study which merit explanation. The term "Official Minutes" denotes unpublished material of the Association which relates to the proceedings of the annual meeting during the period 1897-1921. It includes such items as meeting calls and programs, the Secretary’s account of the proceedings, and the papers and committee reports delivered at the meeting whenever they were preserved. The term "Official Files" denotes such material as correspondence, membership forms, and material not directly concerned with the annual meetings. The unpublished material of the Association, though classified by years, was not numbered systematically; so no page references are given in the following study for material which was found in either of these two groups. The writer is indebted to his committee from Teachers College--Professor R. Freeman Butts, Professor Manson Van B. Jennings, and Professor Clifford L. Brownell, Chairman— for its -ii- constructive criticism and encouragement during the progress of the study.