William H. Hillman Distinguished Service Award

William (Bill) Hillman was a respected figure in the fields of therapeutic recreation and adapted physical education (APE). He was widely known for his expertise in special education federal grants and his dedication to promoting physical activity opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As a Project Director in the Office of Special Education, Mr. Hillman provided critical guidance and support to many of the earliest faculty members seeking federal funding to establish APE graduate programs. His commitment to advocating for federal support to train future APE teachers was evident through his long-standing involvement with NCPEID, including regular attendance at NCPEID meetings in Washington, D.C., which he attended annually until his retirement. Mr. Hillman’s service and advocacy contributed to numerous universities securing funding to prepare APE teachers and scholars, helping the field of APE flourish nationwide and improving access to high-quality physical education for children with disabilities.