Claudine Sherrill Lifetime Achievement Award

Claudine Sherrill photo

Dr. Claudine Sherrill, affectionately known as the "Mother of Adapted Physical Activity," left an indelible mark on the field of adapted physical education. With a career spanning decade, Dr. Sherrill's journey began with her undergraduate studies at Texas Woman’s University and culminated in a doctorate from Columbia University. Her entire tenure in academia was at Texas Woman’s University, where she was the first faculty member to receive a federal grant for adapted physical education. These federal grants led her to guide numerous theses and dissertations, impacting thousands of lives in the field of adapted physical education.

Dr. Sherrill's scholarship extended globally, with over 160 articles and books on prejudice, inclusion, and social justice in adapted physical education. Renowned for her leadership and service, she received numerous awards and played pivotal roles in professional organizations, advocating for equity and opportunities for all. Even in retirement, Dr. Sherrill continued her commitment to learning and community engagement, leaving behind a legacy of passion, dedication, and compassion in the field of adapted physical education

Purpose: To recognize an exceptional senior scholar/professional with at a minimum of 20 years of service in the field of adapted physical activity (APA) or adapted physical education (APE), who has made significant contributions to these field(s) through sustained excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Individuals nominated must be/have been highly active members of the APA/APE community as displayed through exemplary service, scholarship, teaching, as evidenced by the following indices:

  1. CV
  2. Two (2) student’s testimonials (current or past)
  3. Two (2) peer letters of support
  4. Personal statement addressing the pillars of the award described below.

Pillars of the Award:

  1. Teaching
    • Exemplary teaching and mentoring of graduate students in the areas of APA or APE as evidence by two student’s testimonials and two peer letters throughout years of service in the field.
  2. Scholarship
    • Scholarship related to APA or APE including but not limited to; evidence-based research, practitioner journals, books, book chapters, state, national, and/or international presentations, internal or external grant submissions, applications or funding, keynote speakerships, and/or invited lecturer.
  3. Service
    • Outstanding leadership in state, national, and international professional organizations for the benefit of APA/APE.
      • Required current membership in NCPEID for a minimum of 10 years in total.
      • Other areas of service can include professional organizational leadership, editor or editorial board service to a professional journal, advocacy, and/or community-based programing.

The recipient will receive complimentary registration and invited to present at the annual conference the year following the receipt of the award.

2025 Claudine Sherrill Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

David Porretta

Previous Award Recipients (2022-)

Ron and Lisa Silliman-French (2024)

Jeffrey A. McCubbin (2023)