v1.11, 11/2001

Founders and Founding Members

Overview

In 1978, March Krotee organized the 2nd Big Ten CIC Symposium on the Sociology of Sport at the University of Minnesota. This was a well attended conference and many leading scholars in this newly emerging field were in attendance. At the end of the final session, and after consulting the matter with several interested members Yiannakis got up and called for the formation of a sociology of sport society. Some discussion ensued. A group of about twenty interested members then moved to the lobby of the auditorium (Mayo Memorial Auditorium) and continued debating the issue. The majority of those present endorsed the need to form such a society (there were some mild objections raised) and Yiannakis, who moderated the session, called for the formation of a steering committee. This being agreed to a committee was formed which was composed of Susan Greendorfer, Lee Vander Velden, Peggy Cramer, Eldon Snyder and Andrew Yiannakis. Andrew Yiannakis was appointed Chair of this committee, Susan Greendorfer assumed the position of Treasurer and Lee became the society's Secretary. The committee was entrusted with the task of starting a newsletter (a copy of the first newsletter is included below) , collecting membership dues, planning for an annual conference and investigating the feasibility of starting a journal.

The first newsletter, which was known as The NASSS Newsletter, was published in December of 1978. Andrew Yiannakis was the first editor. In subsequent issues John Sugden joined the editorial team as associate editor.

The origins of NASSS can be attributed to the efforts of this small group of individuals who, by promoting and supporting the formation of a new society contributed to the evolution and growth of our present organization.

They are:

Founders:

Andrew Yiannakis, Susan Greendorfer

Founding Members:

George Sage, March Krotee, Eldon Snyder, Elmer Spreitzer, Lee Vander Velden,
Peggy Cramer, Jim Bryant, Merrill Melnick, Tom McIntyre, Janet Harris,
Jim Frey, Joel Thirer, Rich Lapchick, Dean Anderson, Gunther Lueschen, Jim Santomeir,
Fred Hatfield, Dan Landers and Jim Lapoint.

NOTE: The above list of names is a reconstruction from available records, and from information supplied to me by those who were there. Please let me know if you spot any errors or omissions. Direct all messages to Andrew Yiannakis: ayian@attglobal.net

Program Of Our First Conference

Participants At Our First Conference