Management Theory and Practice in Physical Activity Education (Including Athletics)

A new text in management thought, theory, and practice applied to physical activity education and athletics requires justification. This text has been planned primarily for administrators of physical education and athletics at the several levels of educational institutions. However, much included here can be very helpful as well to the sport and physical recreation manager in public and/or commercial sport and physical activity. In other words, it is the underlying "thought, theory, and practice" that is fundamentally important. The 20th century has been characterized as a transitional one in human history. Moving into the 21st century, we start down the path to finding the answer to this assumption. At any rate, changing times are occasioned by the impact of a variety of social forces on society. Additionally, such change has its accompanying, but often unsteady, influence on the professional training of leaders in the large number of fields that make up the society in which such change occurs. The caliber of young people recruited into the field within education is paramount, as is the way they are prepared for leadership roles as managers, teachers, coaches, performers, supervisors, or exercise specialists. This is OUR responsibility. We should carry out these assignments in a way that are comparable to that used in the finest professions. The knowledge and theoretical experiences provided in this volume, along with the use of the recommended laboratory workbook (2007) for the development of specific management competencies and skills, will–when correctly implemented!—go a long way toward assisting young people to get a “healthy start” in the field. They will come to understand management thought, theory, and practice as applied to developmental physical activity programs for people of all ages and conditions.