2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

History of the School of Physical Education

The School of Physical Education is the oldest unit at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), and also the oldest existing school for the preparation of physical education teachers in the country. The school was founded in New York City in 1866 as the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union. It was established by the American Turners to prepare instructors for their gymnastics societies.

The school moved to Chicago in 1871 only to be burned out by the great Chicago fire, which forced it to return to New York, where it remained until 1873. The school then moved to Milwaukee, and settled finally in Indianapolis in 1907. During these years, the curriculum was continually expanded, from a four-month certificate program to a one-year, then a two-year, and eventually a four-year degree program. The curricular changes were in response to the ever-changing needs for trained professionals in other educational institutions.

The Normal College merged with Indiana University in 1941, when financial difficulties occurred. Under the merger, students attended the Normal College in Indianapolis for two years and completed their junior and senior years in Bloomington, where they earned the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree. This arrangement remained in effect until 1969, when the junior-year program was moved to Indianapolis, followed by the senior-year program in 1972. In the same year, the name of the college was changed to the School of Physical Education to reflect more closely the mission of the school as a training center for teachers of physical education.

Major changes in the physical education program were initiated at the beginning of the 1992 academic year. As a result of expanded professional demands, the academic program was divided into the three tracks of teacher education, exercise science, and general physical education. In 1994 the School of Physical Education added two new departments: the Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management and the Department of Military Science.

Mission

The mission of the School of Physical Education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is to prepare students for entry-level positions and advanced study, to contribute to the body of knowledge through creative and scholarly activities, and to serve the profession and the community. Through collaboration and interdisciplinary work with diverse populations, the School of Physical Education strives to enhance wellness, to improve quality of life, and to encourage leisurely pursuits. The Department of Physical Education grants the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree. Students may select from three tracks (exercise science with pre-physical therapy option, fitness and sports studies, K-12 teacher education) and a variety of minors, endorsements, concentrations, and certificates.

The Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management offers a two-year degree in food service and lodging supervision. The program focuses on the skills needed by a supervisor, department head, or unit manager employed in any of the various fields of hospitality: food operations, lodging management, and/or institutional management.

A four-year degree, tourism, conventions, and event management, emphasizes tourism research and meeting, special events, and sport event planning to prepare graduates for management positions in a variety of profit and not-for-profit tourism organizations.

The Department of Recreational and Intramural Sports and the Department of Military Science also reside in the School of Physical Education.

Location

The School of Physical Education and the Indiana University Natatorium share a $21.5 million facility located at 901 W. New York Street on the main campus of IUPUI. The complex is divided into deck, concourse, and bridge levels, covering approximately 200,000 gross square feet. The deck level features weight-training and conditioning rooms, a 50-meter competitive pool, a diving pool, and a 50-meter instructional pool; the instructional pool is equipped with moveable bulkheads and floor so that the water depth may be adjusted to aid in instruction and recreation. A research suite for exercise physiology and biomechanics is located on the deck level.

The concourse level of the physical education wing has a large gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium, racquetball courts, and a student lounge.

The bridge level houses the administrative and faculty offices. From this level an enclosed overhead pedestrian walkway connects the physical education complex with the Education/Social Work Building across New York Street, where the three schools share classroom space.

Adjacent to the Physical Education/Natatorium Building is an Olympic-caliber 400-meter track and field stadium, plus outdoor fields for instructional, recreational, and competitive athletic events. The 28.7-acre outdoor facility also includes fields for softball, soccer, and touch football.

The National Institute for Fitness and Sport was created in 1985. Dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles through research, education, and service, this nonprofit organization currently works in conjunction with the School of Physical Education and other departments of the university. It occupies a $12 million, 120,000-square-foot facility located on the IUPUI campus and in White River State Park.