The School of Physical Education and Tourism Management
is the oldest unit at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
(IUPUI), and also the oldest existing school for the preparation
of physical education teachers in the country. The school was founded
in New York City in 1866 as the Normal College of the American Gymnastic
Union. It was established by the American Turners to prepare instructors
for their gymnastics societies.
The school moved to Chicago in 1871 only to be burned out by the
great Chicago fire, which forced it to return to New York, where
it remained until 1873. The school then moved to Milwaukee, and
settled finally in Indianapolis in 1907. During these years, the
curriculum was continually expanded, from a four-month certificate
program to a one-year, then a two-year, and eventually a four-year
degree program. The curricular changes were in response to the ever-changing
needs for trained professionals in other educational institutions.
The Normal College merged with Indiana University
in 1941, when financial difficulties occurred. Under the merger,
students attended the Normal College in Indianapolis for two years
and completed their junior and senior years in Bloomington, where
they earned the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree.
This arrangement remained in effect until 1969, when the junior-year
program was moved to Indianapolis, followed by the senior-year program
in 1972. In the same year, the name of the college was changed to
the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management to reflect
more closely the mission of the school as a training center for
teachers of physical education.
Major changes in the physical education program were
initiated at the beginning of the 1992 academic year. As a result
of expanded professional demands, the academic program was divided
into the three tracks of teacher education, exercise science, and
general physical education. In 1994 the School of Physical Education
and Tourism Management added two new departments: the Department
of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management and the Department
of Military Science.
Donate now! Use this link to make a charitable gift to the school via the IU Foundation’s secure site. You will be able to choose from a variety of school funds utilizing this site.
