University of Illinois Seeks Endowed Professorship in Recreation to Honor Faculty Pioneers

BY KENT REEL

"CHAKLES BRIGHTBILL AND AL SAPORA MADE A PIVOTAL DIFFERENCE ON MY CAREER AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARE THIS FEELING. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE BRIGHTBILL/SAPORA FUND IS A WONDERFUL WAY FOR US TO SHOW OUR GRATITUDE TO THESE TWO OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WHILE INVESTING IN THOSE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OUR PROFESSION WITH THE VERY BEST ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP." - Bonnie Noble Director, Peoria Park District

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION, SPORT AND TOURISM (FORMERLY THE DEPARTMENT OF LEISURE STUDIES) HOPES TO HONOR ITS HERITAGE BY CREATING A NEW FACULTY POSITION THAT WILL ENABLE THE UNIVERSITY TO BETTER TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION PARK, RECREATION AND CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS.

Under the leadership of professors Charles Brightbill and Allen Sapora, the University of Illinois was one of the first institutions of higher education in the country to award degrees to students studying recreation. As a tribute to these two educational leaders, who clearly anticipated the tremendous growth of the leisure and recreation industry, the University of Illinois is seeking to establish an endowed professorship in their honor. "This professorship — the first of its kind in recreation at the University of Illinois — will make an incredibly powerful statement about the value and importance of our profession," says Cary McDonald, head of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism.

"I know of no individuals who have touched so many lives of students and professionals in the park and recreation profession than Charles K. Brightbill and Allen V. Sapora," shares former department head Joe Bannon. "It was Charles Brightbill's vision that served as the genesis for the National Recreation and Park Association and the movement in America. Al Sapora was

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DR. CHARLES K. BRIGHTBILL

DR. ALLEN SAPORA

a pioneer in establishing research programs that support our profession. Both of these individuals are icons in our field and the Brightbill/Sapora Professorship in Recreation is an important way to honor their legacies."

Charles Brightbill is known for elevating the value of planned leisure in contrast to work. He was the first head of the U of I Department of Recreation and served for thirty-three years as a leader at the forefront of the local, state, national and international park and recreation movement. He was a champion of the concept of professional and lay cooperation in the recreation field and contributed greatly to developing the principles that helped bring about the merger of lay and professional groups. Brightbill's writings include nine books and more than seventy-five published papers, monographs and articles. His final book, Education for Leisure-Centered Living, was published shortly after his death. Dr. Brightbill's influence was carried to far corners of the world by the thousands of students who studied under him.

Allen Sapora was one of the first scholars to integrate research within recreation education, and his efforts have been recognized at the state, national and international levels. He was instrumental in establishing the recreation department at the U of I, and later served as head of the department, as well as acting dean for the College of Applied Life Studies. His service and leadership were critical to the development of park and recreation programs both in the U.S. and abroad. He wrote numerous publications including The Theory of Play and Recreation and A Comparative Study of Leisure Services in Hungary and Illinois. Dr. Sapora was a founding member of the Academy of Leisure Studies and a past president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

"We are tremendously proud of the legacies created by Charles Brightbill and Al Sapora. Their impact on the field of recreation is enormous," says Tanya Gallagher, Dean, College of Applied Life Studies. "A named professorship is one of the most prestigious honors a university can bestow. It will be a fitting tribute to these two remarkable individuals while ensuring that we continue to recruit and support faculty leaders of this stature."

Kent Reel is the assistant director of development and alumni relations for the University of Illinois College of Applied Life Studies.

How You Can Help The endowment required to establish the professorship is $500,000, and the income from the investment is used to provide permanent annual support for faculty research. A number of individuals have already stepped forward to support this endeavor. Options for giving range from cash and securities to planned gifts such as life insurance policies, bequests in wills and charitable remainder annuity trusts. For more information, please contact: Gary McDonald Head, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism College of Applied Life Studies 104 Huff Hall 1206 S. Fourth Street Champaign, IL 61820 217-333-4410 / carym@uiuc.edu Sara Kelley Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations 110 Huff Hall 1206 S. Fourth Street Champaign, IL 61820 217-244-6600 / sarak@uiuc.edu

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