IN MEMORIAM
LYNN W. McCRAW
Dr. Lynn Wade McCraw, professor emeritus at The University of
Texas at Austin, passed away on June 15, 2004, at the age of 89.
He was born on October 26, 1914, in Bonham, Texas. He graduated
from Austin College in 1937 where he was an all-conference football
player and captain of the team during his senior year.
After graduation, he accepted a position as an English teacher
and director of the Intramural Sports Program at Schreiner Institute
in Kerrville, Texas. He remained at Schreiner Institute until 1941
when he joined the U.S. Army. From 1941-46 he served in the United
States Army advancing from private to major. He served in the United
States Army Reserves from 1946 until his retirement in 1974 as
a lieutenant colonel.
He received his master’s degree from The University of Texas
at Austin in 1946, and in 1948, he received his doctorate and was
appointed assistant professor in the Department of Physical and
Health Education at UT. Dr. McCraw remained a faculty member in
the department until his retirement in 1985.
Dr. McCraw’s contributions to his profession and the Department
of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT are immeasurable. He
served as professor and chairperson of the department from 1958-1973
and as graduate advisor from 1960-1973. Dr. McCraw taught courses
for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs,
and he supervised sixty master’s theses, and eighteen doctoral
dissertations. He published over forty professional articles and
delivered more than seventy invited lectures on his research, which
focused on strength development and motor learning, and his professional
interests, which largely dealt with the professional development
of future physical educators. He served for thirty-two years on
the State Executive Committee of the University Interscholastic
League.
Dr. McCraw was active in many professional associations and served
as vice president of the American Association of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and as president of the
Texas Association (TAHPERD) from 1953-54. After his presidency,
he continued to serve the association for thirty years until 1985
as its executive secretary-treasurer and also as editor of the
association’s journal during this time. Because he played
such a key role in the development of the TAHPERD, the leaders
of this association later named their annual lecture the Lynn Wade
McCraw Lecture.
His professional influence extended far beyond TAHPERD and UT.
Many professional groups sought his leadership, wisdom, guidance,
and counsel, including AAHPERD; Southern District AAHPERD; Travis
County Board of the American Cancer Society (twenty-one years);
State Executive Committee of the University Interscholastic League
(thirty-two years); Texas Governor’s Office; Texas Legislature;
American Heart Association; Texas Medical Association; State Board
of Education; Texas Education Agency; Governor’s Commission
on Physical Fitness; University of Texas Men’s Intercollegiate
Athletic Council; numerous state professional associations comprised
of school administrators, parents, teachers, and coaches; and other
groups working on improvements and standards in Texas education
at all levels. Dr. McCraw received many University, state, and
national awards for outstanding contributions to his profession.
In 1984, the students in the Department of Kinesiology and Health
Education created the Lynn W. McCraw Excellence Award to be given
annually to the outstanding student in the department. The department
also honored him by naming several recognitions and scholarships
for him, including the Lynn W. McCraw Lecture Series, the Lynn
McCraw Fellowship, and the Lynn McCraw Scholarship.
In 1985, Dr. McCraw was appointed as professor emeritus. His impact
on the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, which included
a strong sense of professionalism, integrity, and intellectual
rigor, has shaped and will continue to influence the department
for many years to come.
<signed>
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The University of Texas at Austin
<signed>
Sue Alexander Greninger, Secretary
The General Faculty
This memorial resolution was prepared by a special committee
consisting of Professors Charles Craven (chair), Waneen Spirduso, and Pete
Tyson.
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