Depending on your geographical location, the fall season can be the prelude to the arrival of more harsh weather to come or just a cooler spell following a long hot summer. This month, we want to share with you some fall activity ideas regardless of the weather or temperatures you might be facing.

For many of us, the comfortable temperatures of fall provide some wonderful opportunities for expanding our physical education and extra-curricular programs. It’s a great time to encourage students and their families to be physically active and especially to get them outside and developing a love and appreciation of the outdoors.

By definition a trailblazer is simply a “leader or pioneer in a particular field.” If you’ve studied the history of physical education you’ll be familiar with many of our original trailblazers. These professionals, who broke away from the European influences and created the American system of Physical Education included W.G. Anderson, J.B. Nash, Edward Hitchcock, Clark Hetherington, Luther H. Gulick and the authors of “The New Physical Education,” Thomas Wood and Rosiland Cassidy. This book reshaped Physical Education in 1927 and changed the profession from a medical orientation to a comprehensive, educational approach. These first Physical Education trailblazers pursued different paths and redirected the field to help meet the ever-changing societal demands of their time in history.

This article was originally published on April 1, 2014 : https://www.pheamerica.org/2014/physical-education-trailblazers-a-contemporary-look/

Interestingly, during the evolution of a trailblazer’s work these individuals are often criticized, overlooked, or ridiculed for their different perspectives or theories. A real trailblazer, however, possesses a special sense of conviction and purpose and the ability to persevere even when others have doubted their passion for change and innovation.

I am not sure where I first heard the phrase “readers are leaders” but it is something that has stuck with me throughout my entire life.  I am now in my second year of retirement from teaching and coaching after 37 years of doing both. As I have thought about what to do in my retirement, one thing that keeps coming back into my mind is the need to read some great books.  I have always believed that reading can help you become the best version of yourself for others. When you are busy with coaching and teaching, like I was for many years it is very hard to find the time or make the time to read.  My goal is to slow down to read books that would allow me to continue to grow and make an impact in another way.

I started my quest for more knowledge by listening to podcasts by Chris Wirth of No Quit Living. His guests were successful people from all walks of life. I loved listening to all the great ideas his guest presented time and again. As I listen to No Quit Living, I notice many guests refer to their reading and how it is a priority in their lives. This inspired me to seek out books that lift me up more and do more with my life. Chris Wirth and a friend of mine Fred Quartlebaum (Assistant Basketball Coach at The University of Kansas), co-wrote a little book called: The Positivity Tribe. In the book they share many great ideas, but one that resonates with me is “We Rise by Lifting Others Up.”  I loved the idea; what a great way to live life.  I wondered what types of books Wirth and Quartlebaum enjoyed reading, and found that Wirth reads books that have impacted him personally and professionally. I decided to pick one from his list to read.

Please join us from July 19-21, 2023, at the University of Northern Colorado for the Active Schools National Summit. There will be 9 breakout sessions and 3 general sessions that provide the latest research, best practices, and strategies for promoting physical activity in schools. Attendees will receive the tools and resources to educate all youth in an active school designed to enhance learning, health, and well-being.

The early-bird registration cost is $250. This includes 5 meals, 3 general sessions, 9 breakout sessions, and more. You can also stay on campus in deluxe suites for just $60/night.

​​​​​If you have any questions, please email info@activeschoolsus.org.

The Fall 2023 Annual Conference for the Western Society for Kinesiology & Wellness (WSKW) will be on Thursday, October 5th – Friday, October 6th in Oakland, CA.

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t delay — register TODAY!

Conference Registration:

• Faculty: $150
• Students: $50

PHE America has announced its editorial board members for 2023. The Editorial Board is comprised of professionals in higher education interested in serving as reviewers to offer writers constructive feedback in preparing their articles for publication. Editorial Board members serve both PHE America and Sport Coach America.

The six-member board includes Brian Sather, a professor at Eastern Oregon University; Editor-in-Chief, Pete Van Mullem, a professor at Lewis-Clark State College and director of Sport Coach America; Rory Weishaar, an associate professor at Central Washington University; Jessica Savage, an instructor at Lewis-Clark State College; Aubrey Shaw, an academic program advisor at the University of Idaho; and Heather Van Mullem, a professor at Lewis-Clark State College.

For more information on the Editorial Team visit: https://sportcoachamerica.org/editorial-board/