Western Society for Kinesiology & Wellness
(Formerly Western College Physical Education Society)

The first meeting of the Western College Physical Education Society (WCPES), originally the Western College Men’s Physical Education Society (WCMPES), was held at the University of Utah in the Fall of 1956. A small group of college and university physical educators from Western states met to discuss inequity in selecting sites for the College Physical Education Association’s (CPEA) annual meetings. From this initial meeting came recommendations that CPEA meet periodically in states west of the Mississippi or that CPEA establish a western division.

After the Utah meeting, E.C. Davis of USC distributed questionnaires to male physical educators at western colleges and universities. In response to the questionnaires, the following decisions were made:

  • Meet independently from CPEA
  • Deal only with the topic of physical education.
  • Use a round table discussion format without presenters or panels. In effect, each member is to participate and serve as a resource person.
  • Limit the program to discussing two or three problems or issues.

At CPEA’s national meeting in 1957, WCMPES elected to meet independently in Reno in October 1958. A committee was formed to draft an Operating Code. The Code, limited to one typewritten page, set forth conditions for continuing the format as prescribed by its charter members.

After CPEA’s demise and the subsequent formation of the National Association of Physical Education in Higher Education (NAPEHE), overtures were made by WCMPES to amalgamate and/or meet jointly with the Western Society for Physical Education of College Women (WSPECW). WSPECW rejected the offers. In 1986, WCMPES chose to drop the “M” from its title and open its membership to all college and university physical educators.

The Dr. G.A. “Art” Broten Scholar program, originated by Bob Ritson and others in 1987, encouraged the involvement of younger college and university physical educators in WCPES. A call for papers is made annually, with time allotted in the conference program for presentation of these papers. Dr. Broten finances the program, and monetary awards are given to these young scholars to help defray travel costs to the conference.

In 1988, Sam Winningham from CSU Northridge commissioned a WCPES logo. John Ostarello from CSU East Bay modified the logo in 2005 to reflect the name change to WSKW and to provide a more modern appearance. Earlier in 1994, Jerry L. Ballew of the University of Nevada, Reno created a motto, “Where the conferee is the program and mentoring and networking are the foundation.” The motto reflects the Society’s position and provides the basis for unique professional conferences.

To better represent the Society’s work and in recognition of the profession’s trend toward language that more adequately reflects 21st-century professional practice, the membership initiated a change in the organization’s name. Following the 2004 meeting, the membership approved a name change to the Western Society for Kinesiology and Wellness (WSKW) to inaugurate its 50th anniversary.

Not only did the organization’s title evolve, but so did its intent and purpose. Since 2017, the organization has supported a peer-reviewed journal, an online website offering information on the profession and the practice of kinesiology and wellness, and an annual conference. The annual conference has become more inclusive, featuring a range of academic presentations, including student and faculty research, forums, and professional panels to address current issues. A highlight of the conference is the E.C. Davis lecture, named after the acclaimed academic who was a founding member, during which noted professionals in the field are invited to share current, important, and political topics with attendees.

The Western Society for Kinesiology and Wellness has moved into the 21st century with a bold vision and a commitment to inclusion.