Laura Huelster

During her 43-year tenure, including 17 years as department head, Laura Huelster had a major impact not only on women’s athletics at the U of I, but was also known for her leadership in the changing role of women in physical education after World War II. A graduate of the U of I in 1927, Dr. Huelster began her career teaching physical education at Waukegan Township High School. In 1929 she returned to the U of I after developing an interest in the new field of kinesiology, and pioneered such applications as college courses in movement fundamentals, the use of kinesiology as a teaching tool, and movement notation in the physical education curriculum.

In 1951 she became the head of the department of Physical Education for Women. She encouraged the construction of the new wing of Freer Gym (now Freer Hall). Her basic concern was to develop a quality program and as a result the U of I physical education department developed into one of the finest in the country. Dr. Huelster co-authored three books and wrote over twenty professional journal articles. She resigned as department head in 1966 to return to teaching and advising graduate students, retiring in 1972.

According to the AAHPERD, Dr. Huelster was instrumental in establishing national sports tournaments for women and in bringing about the mergers of men’s and women’s physical education programs. She also introduced the use of televised instruction for physical education.