Brightbill/Sapora Professorship in Recreation

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Charles Brightbill’s legacy to humanity lives on in his writings and teaching. He sought to elevate the value of planned leisure in contrast to work. He was the first head of the Department of Recreation and served for thirty-three years as a leader at the forefront of the local, state, national and international park and recreation movement. Through his leadership he was able to record for generations a greater understanding of the challenge of leisure as well as a profound philosophy related to the recreation and park profession.

Under the leadership of professors Charles Brightbill and Allen Sapora, the University of Illinois was one of the first institutions of higher education in the country to award degrees to students studying recreation. Today this program continues to rank among the best in the field with faculty who are world-renowned for their research and scholastic endeavors and students who are among the best and brightest.

Professors Brightbill and Sapora clearly anticipated the tremendous growth of the leisure and recreation industry, which today is one of the top three industries in almost every state and generates more than $300 billion annually. At the community level, research shows that four out of five Americans use their local parks or recreation system, and 70% have a park or recreation facility within walking distance of their home. But good park and recreation facilities don’t just happen—they need support from neighborhoods, cities, states, and the federal government. They also require the professional care and expertise of those who have dedicated their careers to providing exceptional recreational experiences.

Allen Sapora was one of the pioneers in recreation education and research, and his efforts have been recognized at the state, national, and international levels. His service and leadership were critical to the development of countless park and recreation programs both in the U.S. and abroad. He was instrumental in establishing the Department of Recreation at the University of Illinois, and later served as head of the department, as well as acting dean for the College of Applied Health Sciences.

The Brightbill/Sapora Professorship in Recreation will allow the University to recruit outstanding faculty from around the world who are leaders in the field of recreation. The income from the endowed professorship will be used to supplement the salary of the professor and/or support his or her research program. This professorship will provide permanent support for U of I researchers while honoring the legacies of two pioneering faculty who helped shape the field of recreation.

Help us establish this professorship, the first of its kind in recreation at the University of Illinois, by making your gift using our secure online form: