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Brief Summary History of Professional Park and Recreation Leadership at the University of Illinois
Prepared by Professor Allen V. Sapora
Dr. Arthur Daniels, a graduate of Columbia University, began discussions about
professional preparation in recreation leadership at Illinois with Dr.
Ralph Johnson, curriculum co-ordinator and with student representatives
in the School of Physical Education (Allen V. Sapora) in 1936.
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 Association of Park Districts
pointed clearly to the need for professional preparation of leaders.
Public Park and Recreation leaders such as Russell Foval, Decatur; Russell Perry,
Wilmette; Vern Hernlend, Chicago Park District and many others supported
the development of a leadership preparation program at the University.
Dr. Daniels left the University of Illinois for Ohio State and A.V. Sapora
returned from Army Service in 1945 and was appointed staff supervisor
of preparation for recreation leadership. A trial curriculum was prepared
in 1946-47; several recreation courses were offered and the Recreation
Curriculum (B.S.) was approved by the Senate in 1948 and the Board of
Trustees in 1949. The first student B.S. in Recreation graduated in 1952.
The other curricula--Health and Safety Education were approved during this
same period. Dr. Staley was an ardent supporter of this expansion. Sapora
was in the middle of Ph.D. completion and in 1952 (September) Professor
C.K. Brightbill was appointed Head of the expanding Recreation Department.
As I recall, College of Physical Education faculty who were involved in
planning and teaching early Recreation courses were:
- Maxwell Garrett: Sports, Fieldwork
- Virginia Frye: Orientation, Recreation Program
- James Breen: Orientation, Administration
- Russell Foval: Director of Recreation, Decatur Fieldwork Supervision
- Webbs Norman: Recreation Program
- Max Kaplan: Recreation Music
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