Washington State University School of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Records, 1894-1976

Although there were physical education courses in the curriculum at State College of Washington (now Washington State University) as early as 1910 there was no Department of Physical Education until 1915. During this early period athletics and physical education were geared to provide healthful and corrective exercise for students. The Physical Director, Coach and Trainer taught classes, coached the athletic teams and acted as trainer. The athletic program was controlled by the faculty committee on athletics and the schedule of athletic events was established by the students and faculty of the Athletic Association. The Physical Director, Coach and Trainer supervised the teams. In 1915 the Department of Physical Education and Athletics was created. The change by the Board of Regents consolidated responsiblity for both the athletic program and physical education in the position of Director of Physical Education and Athletics (the former Physical Director, Coach and Trainer). He was also a member of the Athletic Council and functioned as chairman of that body. In 1916 recreation courses were added to the physical education curriculum. The department added instructors and hired a football coach before 1920. The 1920s saw the enactment of legislation that required compulsory physical education in the high schools of many states. This led to the development of a degree program to train students as physical and recreation directors, playground supervisors, and athletic coaches. By 1931 the department offered a Master of Science in Physical Education. In 1944 the Board of Regents elevated the Department of Physical Education to the status of the School of Physical Education. In 1948 the athletic program was placed under the direction of the Board of Regents and the Athletic Council continued in an advisory capacity.

John Frederick "Doc" Bohler is the dominant figure in these records. He was appointed Physical Director, Coach and Trainer in 1908, became Director of Physical Education and Athletics in 1915 and Director of the School of Physical Education in 1944. For all practical purposes Bohler was the guiding influence in physical education, intramural athletics, interscholastic athletics, and intercollegiate athletics between 1908 and his retirement in 1950. The history of physical education and athletics at WSC is largely the history of Bohler's efforts to develop the programs.