As early as 1906, “physical culture” was discussed as becoming part of the course offerings and as promised, in 1909 there were four “physical training” courses offered with the official title “Oral Expression and Physical Training”. Exercises stemmed from the Del Sarte and Swedish gymnastics at the time. Christiana Hyatt, who also taught speech, instructed the courses. Then in 1912, Arthur W. Briggs arrived after graduating from Y.M.C.A. College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was charged with teaching the men’s “special” (listed as such) physical education, while Miss Hyatt taught the women’s “special” physical education classes. Mr. Briggs brought with him gusto, and effectively made use of the 40 acres of land, which was at the time the only area available for physical education. He not only instilled toughness as part of his physical training plan, but also headed and sponsored events, such as the athletic carnival in February 1913, basketball tournaments, and track meets for local high schools. In addition, in 1913 Dorothy Jessup from Vassar College and Teachers College of Columbia University was hired as the first full-time women’s physical education instructor. The department experienced several name changes between the years 1913 and 1951; the department was known as the Department of Physical Training in 1913, the Division of Physical Education in 1919, the Department of Physical Education in 1924, and the Department of Health and Physical Education in 1951. As head of the department, Mr. Briggs remained an integral part of the program until 1950. Following Mr. Briggs, A.J. McDonald utilized his expertise in formal physical education and athletics to continue the quality program and succeeding him was Dr. Wayne C. McKinney in 1965. At this time 3,043 students were enrolled in classes offered by the department.
McDonald Arena Highlights
Year built: 1939
Cost: $433,091 (of which $188,000 state appropriation, $55,700 local funds, $199.391 federal grant sources)
Facility dimensions: 54,499 sq. ft. floor space and 1,596,606 total cubic feet
Designed by: Earl Hawkins
Built by: Childers Construction Company
Building material: Carthage stone
Seating: 3,200 opera chairs, but capable of seating 5,000 with portable chairs
- The swimming pool at McDonald Arena was dug by hang and completed in 1942. It was built during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) days of the mid-1930's. It was used as a regional training and qualifying site for the USA Olympic team. The pool was 70 ft. wide and 3.5 ft. to 16 ft. deep, holding 965,000 gallons of water.
- McDonald Arena was built in as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project; it was 1985 that the building
received a substantial renovation that altered the east and west gymnasiums and other areas of the facility. - Master of Science In Education - Emphasis in Physical Education began in 1991. First graduate was Sonya Butler McDonald in 1995.
- The Master Of Science Degree in Health Promotion and Wellness Management was established in 1995. The first graduates
are expected to complete degree requirements in 1997. - Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Movement Science was implemented in the fall of 2006.
Academic Highlights
- Physical education is the oldest "preventative" medicine curriculum on record.
- All accredited academic degrees in the Department of HPER are in compliance with national accreditation standards.
- HPER faculty are past recipients of the prestigious Andrew McDonald Physical Education Award as graduates of
the HPER department: Chuck Williams, Sharon Baack, and David Oatman. - There have been 63 recipients of the prestigious Andrew McDonald Physical Education Award since its
inception in 1969. - Thirteen Physical Education majors have been the recipients of the nationally acclaimed National Association
for Sport and Physical Education award since its inception in 1988.
Faculty Highlights
- Physical Education faculty have held the distinguished honor of being elected to the position of President of the Missouri Association For Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance: Mary Jo Wynn, Peggy Thomas, Perry Miller and Keith Ernce.
- Physical Education faculty, students and graduates are actively involved in the professional organizations of the American Alliance For Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the Missouri Association For Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
- Faculty emeritus in the HPER department are: Jay Kinser, Larry Atwood, Perry Miller, Jim Mentis, George Simpson, Bill Thomas, Peggy Thomas, Alex Trombetta, Kay Hunter, Nancy Curry, Duane Addleman, Wes Bair, Gloria Johnson, Michael McCarty, Gary Shoemaker, Reba Sims, Gary Thompson, Dale Williams and Tillman Williams.
- The Missouri State handball team has won six consecutive national championships under the direction of Dr. Tommy Burnett.
- The Department of HPER faculty, graduates and students serve on numerous committees, task forces, boards, commissions, councils and special projects on campus, in the community and with state and national organizations.
- The Department of HPER faculty, graduates and students are involved in numerous local, regional, state national, and international conferences and workshops.
- The Department of HPER has alumni employed throughout the State of Missouri, nationally and internationally.
- 20 faculty in the Department of HPER hold the terminal degree, the doctorate degree.
- Bill Thomas, faculty emeritus, has the distinction of having 41 years of service to Missouri as a physical education teacher and
coach of the basketball Bears, and is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. - Dr. Chuck Williams, HPER faculty member was known as "The Springfield Rifle" during his collegiate days as a member of the
Bears basketball squad. - Dr. Tommy Burnett, as a collegiate, was a member of the national champion Arkansas Razorback football team and later as a
member of the professional football Super Bowl Champion New York Jets - Sports Hall of Fame. - Dr. Gerald Masterson has been inducted into both the NAIA and Arkansas Track and Field Halls of Fame.
- Dr. David Oatman authored “Old Favorites, New Fun: Physical Education Activities for Children” published by Human Kinetics, Inc.; Nominated for “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 2000, 2002 and 2005; and head coach of the 2004 and 2005 National 4-A Champion Southwest Missouri Homeschool Eagles girls high school basketball team.
- Brenda Goodwin received the State Dance Educator of the Year Award as well as the Central District of the US Dance Educator award and was nominated for the national dance educator award. In 2009, she received the Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor Award from the MO Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. (MoAHPERD).
- Gayle Runke - Golf Hall of Fame.
- Dr. Rhonda Ridinger - Coached Woman's Field Hockey to a National Championship and inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.