The following chapters are reprinted from "100 Years of Kinesiology: History, Research, and Reflections" (1999). John L. Haubenstricker and Deborah L. Feltz (Eds.). Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- History of the Department of Kinesiology (PDF)
- History of the Human Energy Research Laboratory (PDF)
- History of Teaching and Research in Adapted Physical Activity (PDF)
- History of the Motor Performance Study and Related Programs (PDF)
- History of the Youth Sports Institute (PDF)
From Physical Culture to Kinesiology
The title of the Department of Kinesiology has changed several times over the years, reflecting changes in the department mission as well as societal trends.
- Department of Physical Culture and Athletics (1899-1916)
- Department of Physical Training (1916-1921)
- Department of Physical Education (1921-1944)
- Department of Physical Education, Health, and Recreation (1944-1954)
- Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (1954-1981)
- Department of Health and Physical Education (1981-1985)
- School of Health Education, Counseling Psychology, and Human Performance (1985-1990)
- Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science (1990-1997)
- Department of Kinesiology (1997-present)
Some Firsts in KIN History
- 1898 – Physical culture classes required of women
- 1899 – Department of Physical Culture established
- 1918 – New gymnasium (now IM Sports Circle) dedicated on May 22
- 1918 – Women move from Women’s Building (Morrill Hall) to new gymnasium
- 1919 – Physical training classes required of all students
- 1921 – Summer courses in physical education offered for school teachers
- 1921 – Physical training classes required of freshmen and sophomores
- 1923 – Two-year physical education program for upper classmen initiated
- 1923 – Women’s Physical Education Department created
- 1927 – Four-year program in physical education and athletic coaching for men initiated
- 1929 – First graduate of four-year undergraduate program – Harry A. Kurrle
- 1929 – Four-year program in physical education for women initiated
- 1932 – Separate annual reports filed by men’s and women’s departments
- 1932 – Physical education majors club organized
- 1940 – Jenison Gymnasium and Fieldhouse completed
- 1945 – First graduate courses offered
- 1946 – First master’s degree Plan B graduate – Roy Wayne Burkhart
- 1950 – First master’s degree Plan A graduates – Buford L. Beck and Robert R. Stoppert
- 1959 – First doctoral degree graduate – Aix Barnard Harrison
Centennial Celebration 1899-1999
The Department of Kinesiology celebrated its centennial year in 1999 with two scholarly symposia, Reflections on Research in Kinesiology at MSU and Youth Sports Into the 21st Century. We honored four outstanding alumni: Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton (Ph.D. ’68), Dr. Richard Nelson (Ph.D. ’60), Dr. Beverly Ulrich (Ph.D. ’84), and Dr. Maureen Weiss (Ph.D. ’81). Other events included publication of 100 Years of Kinesiology: History, Research, and Reflections, a homecoming celebration, and commemorative pins for centennial year KIN graduates.
Gymnasium Building – Dedicated May 22, 1918
Historical Account of Kinesiology Facilities
The following description of the Gymnasium Building was published in the Michigan State College Catalog from 1929-1930.
The Gymnasium, completed in the spring of 1918 at a cost of $250,000, is a substantial brick and stone building and is splendidly planned to care for the physical, recreative and athletic activities of the college. The second and third floors of the building are given over to the gymnasium room. This room is 165×72 feet and is fitted with all the latest apparatus, such as swinging and flying rings, horizontal and parallel bars, ropes, ladders, bucks, leather horses, etc. It also contains a cork surface running track 100 yards to the lap. The first floor contains the offices of the staff, the examination room, varsity club room, lecture room, rooms for boxing, fencing, and wrestling, and two service suites, one for the home athletic team and one for the visiting teams. The suites are fully equipped with lockers, drying rooms, training room, dressing and bathing facilities. The basement contains the minor sport and freshman locker rooms, stock room, 1,800 steel lockers of latest design, a battery of 24 showers, and ample service and dressing rooms. The gymnasium store is located in the basement where athletic supplies may be purchased.
The west wing extending from the main building houses the women’s department, and the natatorium, 90×30 feet, 10 feet deep at one end and three feet six inches deep at the other. This room is two stories high and is finished entirely in white, the pool and floors being made of white tile. A balcony surrounds the pool for the use of spectators. Convenient lounging, dressing, and service rooms adjoin the pool. The second floor of the west wing contains hand ball courts, dancing studio and room for corrective work for girls, also offices.
The stadium was started on June first, 1923, and although not entirely completed, was ready for the first game in the fall of 1923. The plans were drawn with the future in view, and later the remainder of the horseshoe will be built. The present structure costing $160,000, consists of twelve sections, six on a side, made of solid reinforced concrete. Each side is 336 feet long by 75 feet deep and has 34 rows of seats of 36 seats to the row. The top row is 40 feet from the ground. The seating capacity is about 15,000. A one-quarter mile track with a straight-away twenty-four feet wide and curves eighteen feet wide, surround the gridiron. The completed stadium will be one of the best equipped in the United States. The baseball field which is separate from the stadium is provided with a grandstand and ample bleachers.
The old Armory 90×60 feet, now known as the gymnasium annex, has been used as an auxiliary gymnasium since the fall of 1927. It contains basket ball floors, four handball courts, and the golf driving net. The Assembly room in Demonstration Hall, 140×60 feet provides excellent space for Freshman basket ball practice and the holding of Intramural sports. During December 1929, a portable basket ball floor, 120×60 feet was built on the dirt floor of Demonstration Hall, which measures 280×130 feet. The seating capacity is over 6,000. The ice hockey rink 250×100 feet is located just to the east of Demonstration Hall. It is available for the use of the general student body each evening.
In addition to the stadium the Physical Education Department has twenty-seven acres of additional land, part of which is devoted to baseball diamonds, football fields, hockey and soccer fields, tennis courts, and a one-quarter mile cinder track with a two-twenty straightaway.
The Gymnasium Building is now known as the Intramural Sports Circle Building. This illustration and set of floor plans show the building before the “new” swimming pool addition on the Red Cedar River side of the building and before the office and gymnasium addition on the Beal Garden side of the building.
