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Native Americans (1607-1783)
Native Americans hunted, fished, and canoed to gather resources for survival and to build their physical prowess. Young men faced demanding physical tests to become warriors and to build shelters and communities. These rudimentary tasks led to the development of advanced and complex movements and activities centuries later. -
Round Hill School
Charles Beck introduced a gymnastics program of exercise to his students at the Round Hill School in Northampton, Mass. He built an outdoor gym and started the first school gymnastics program. This helped to create the foundations of gymnastics that would eventually be developed and improved upon over the years. -
Hartford Female Seminary
Catharine Beecher developed and implemented a physical education program for the girls of the Hartford Female Seminary in Connecticut. It included Swedish gymnastics to help prepare the girls both mentally and physically for healthier lives as homemakers and mothers. This led the way to future physical development for women and the inclusion of women into physical education. -
Turnfest
In Philadelphia, the first national Turnfest was held where turners from cities like New York and Boston competed in this event. This helped to integrate different cultural values and aspects into American sports and activity events. -
Yale and Harvard
The first intercollegiate competition took place between Harvard and Yale. Harvard ended up winning the crew race and went on to win many other events in the years to come. This encourage the increasing prominence of athletic roles on college campuses. -
Lewis System
Dioclesian Lewis developed the Lewis system of “light” gymnastics for men, women, and children living in Boston. This form of exercise improved the cardiovascular system to the beat of music. This helped to bring an inclusion factor for all people to participate in exercise. -
Normal Institute
Lewis established the Normal Institute for Physical Education in Boston to prepare teachers in the studies of anatomy, physiology, hygiene, and gymnastics. This was one of the founding events of the physical education that would eventually develop into our education and health courses today. -
Sanatory Gymnasium
Dudley Sargent founded the Sanatory Gymnasium for physical education teachers to utilize his methods to physical development and learning. This school would become today’s Sargent College of Boston University where it plays an important role in the future careers of thousands of students. -
Harvard Committee
Harvard University established the United States’ first athletic committee to help govern athletic affairs and to represent the student athlete population on campus. This marked the beginning of athletic faculty and the foundations for future athletic unions in colleges and in the commercial districts. -
Hanna Promotion
Delphine Hanna was promoted to full professor at Oberlin College in Ohio, becoming the first woman in the United States to be a full professor in physical education. This marked a critical step in the increasing involvement of women into the physical education fields and helped recognize the developments made by women. -
Playground Association
Luther Gulick formed the Playground Association of America. This administration sought to promote the development of urban and rural playgrounds for people to enjoy higher quality activities. This would help pave way for the continuing evolution of recreational sites and athletic facilities that go on today. -
US Division
The division of physical fitness was established within the US office of defense health and welfare services. -
NATA
The national athletic trainers association (NATA) was founded. -
Sports Medicine
the federation of sports medicine was founded, which later became the American college of Sports Medicine (ACSM). -
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics was founded. -
Title IX
Title IX of the education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity. Prohibits sexual harassment, which opens up opportunities for females in intercollegiate sports. -
Intercollegiate Policies
Us department of health, education and welfare clarifies policies relative to intercollegiate athletics. Three areas are identified for compliance, accommodation, interests and abilities, financial aid and support. -
Gender Equity
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) publishes its first gender equity study. Annual reports had to be made to maintain a routine in gender equity. -
Athletics Disclosure Act
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires all higher education institutions to disclose info on participation and budgets for both men and women sports. Also includes annual reports. -
OCR
OCR provides further clarification regarding compliance, including the use of proportionality as a part of the three-pong test for assessing participation. -
Survey Overturn
OCR overturns the policy that allowed colleges and universities to use a survey to demonstrate that they were meeting the athletic interests and abilities of women on campus. Policy change requires educational institutions to use other data sources, in addition to the surveys to learn student interests. -
References
Fisette, J. L., & Wuest, D. A. (2018). Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Sport (18th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.