David P. Beaver APA Professional Young Award

About Dr. David P. Beaver

Dr. David P. Beaver had a distinguished career marked by profound contributions to adapted physical education (APE), recreation, and sport for individuals with disabilities. He earned his doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and spent most of his academic career as a professor at Western Illinois University. As the founding editor and publisher of PALAESTRA, established in 1984, Dr. Beaver played a pivotal role in creating a platform for disseminating research, best practices, and practitioner-focused scholarship in adapted physical education. During his more than 25 years as editor-in-chief, he worked tirelessly to ensure that educators had access to information needed to provide high-quality physical education experiences for children with disabilities. Dr. Beaver was also instrumental in the formation and early growth of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), serving in multiple leadership capacities. His work helped shape the landscape of APE and disability sport and left a lasting legacy of advocacy and professional excellence.

Beaver

Purpose

To recognize an early-career professional, within seven (7) years post-graduation from their terminal degree, whose scholarly and professional contributions reflect a high standard of excellence in adapted physical education (APE) and/or adapted physical activity (APA). The award honors individuals whose dissemination of scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or other professionally established means demonstrates quality, significance, and impact and/or originality, and whose professional service advances the field through leadership, innovation, or sustained influence.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Is an early-career professional within seven (7) years post-graduation.

  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to the field of APE and/or APA, as evidenced by sustained professional engagement and dissemination of work through professionally recognized channels.

  • Demonstrates a progressive record of scholarly or related professional activity, such as peer-reviewed research publications, peer-reviewed teaching publications, research and/or teaching presentations, in-services, mentorship, and/or competitive internal or external grant activity, reflecting quality, originality, and meaningful impact in APE and/or APA.

  • Demonstrates significant professional service and/or advocacy at the local, regional, and/or national level that advances the field or community of APE and/or APA through leadership, innovation, or sustained influence, contributing to the development of an emerging national or international reputation, with international engagement where applicable.

Award Recognition

The award recipient will receive a complimentary one-year NCPEID membership and will be invited to submit a manuscript of their choosing to PALAESTRA for consideration.

2025 David P. Beaver Previous Award Recipient: Adam Pannel

Previous Award Recipients (2020-)

  • Nicole Kirk (2024)
  • Melissa D. Bittner (2023)
  • Wesley Wilson (2022)
  • Scott McNamara (2021)
  • Cathy McKay (2020)

Previous Award Recipients (2015-2019)

  • Ali Brian (2019)
  • Jihyun Lee (2018)
  • Sean Healy (2017)
  • Megan MacDonald (2016)
  • Justin Haegele (2015)