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Summary Analysis: Professional Park and Recreation Leadership Established at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Prepared by Professor Allen V. Sapora
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Dr. Arthur Daniels, a recent graduate of Columbia University, begins discussion
about professional preparation in recreation leadership at Illinois with
Dr. Ralph Johnson, Curriculum Coordinator and with student representatives
in the School of Physical Education (Allen V. Sapora, 1936).
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Recreation legislation was encouraged by the Recreation Law of 1921 and
the demand for recreation leadership was tremendous in Illinois. The Recreation
Survey of Rockford, Illinois further highlighted the need for more professional
recreation preparation. Several surveys followed. The Illinois Park and
Recreation Association and the Illinois Recreation and Park Association
pointed clearly to the need for professional preparation of leaders.
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Public Park and Recreation leaders such as Russell Foval, Decatur; Russell
Perry, Wilmette; Vern Hernlund, Chicago Park District; and many others
supported the development of a leadership preparation program at the University.
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Dr. Daniels leaves U of I for Ohio State and A.V. Sapora returns from Army
service in 1945 and was appointed staff supervisor of preparation for
Recreation. A trial curriculum was prepared in 1946-47; several recreation
courses were offered and the Recreation Curriculum (BS) was approved by
the Senate in 1948 and the Board of Trustees in 1949. The first BS student
in Recreation graduated in 1952.
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The other curricula--Health and Safety Education--were approved during this
same period. Dr. Staley was an ardent supporter of this expansion. Department
Head Sapora was in the middle of Ph.D. completion and in 1952 (September)
Professor C.K. Brightbill became head of the expanded Recreation Department--the
Department has developed as we know it today.
Refer to the chronological history of the Department (Sapora and Donlon)
completed in 1995.
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