Alan Metcalfe “at Work” Constructing Sport History

Alan Metcalfe, of the University of Windsor, was a leading figure in establishing sport history in Canada, while playing a founding role in NASSH. He served as the first editor of the Journal of Sport History, long-time editor of CJHSPE (1970–96), and NASSH president from 1983 to 1985. While maintaining research about mining communities in North East England, he is best known for his research on Canada. Through an examination of Metcalfe's professional career and a comprehensive interview, we document his contributions to sport history. Metcalfe's scholarship shaped the field within possibilities available to him. He brought a comprehensive approach to fostering sport history as part of his life-long commitment to the discipline of physical education. Fostering an intellectual life throughout his academic career, Metcalfe challenged colleagues and students alike to reflect on the questions they asked, theoretical ideas underpinning their work, and best ways that organizations, especially NASSH, could effectively advance the field.