A Personal Involvement in the Origin of NASSH

Abstract:Over a half-century ago, I was involved in the early discussions of a sport history organization with the principal founder of NASSH, Guy Lewis. I recount the pre-NASSH years and the formation of NASSH including the all-male and physical education origins in a meeting with the National Physical Education Association for Men in 1971. Besides Guy Lewis, others are noted including Marvin Eyler, Carl Bode, Seward Staley, John Betts, Alan Metcalfe, Bruce Bennett, and Max Howell. Three problematic areas are discussed including Canadian–American relations; welcoming women into the organization; and embracing historians, American studies scholars, and others into NASSH. How the Journal of Sport History was created and the acceptance of the NASSH logo, an ancient Greek torch runner, are documented.