Department of Health and Exercise Studies
1920s
The new gymnasium on campus was named after Frank Thompson (class of 1910), a former athlete at State College who was killed during service in WWI.
Thompson Gymnasium, with Reynolds Coliseum under construction in the backgroundThe college first offered physical education classes and established the Department of Physical Education, which was originally housed in the Frank Thompson Gymnasium. Athletics was included in the Department of Physical Education, and all coaches were teaching faculty.
John F. Miller was tasked with creating the university's first physical education department in 1924. He served as department head until 1951.
Thompson Hall was dedicated as Thompson Gymnasium on this date. It was the first on-campus home dedicated to basketball and the Department of Physical Education (now the Department of Health & Exercise Studies). Previously, home basketball games had been played in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. The building was designed by architect Hobart Upjohn and named for alumnus Frank Martin Thompson. The NC State basketball team played there until Reynolds Coliseum opened in 1949.
Thompson Gym, side view1930s
A Physical Education major was approved to prepare students to teach and coach in public schools. There was only one graduating class in 1937 because of the depression, which resulted in a consolidation of programs within the university system (NC State College, UNC-Chapel Hill and Women’s College, later UNC-Greensboro).
1940s
The Raleigh City Building Inspector condemned Thompson Gymnasium hours before a men's basketball game against Duke. Only a few reporters and college officials were allowed to attend the next home game against High Point College. From then until the completion of Reynolds Coliseum in 1949, home games were played in Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium.
Men outside closed Thompson Gymnasium for a game cancelled due to overcrowding concerns1950s
Paul Derr portraitThe University moved from a quarter system to a semester system, which resulted in the four-semester physical education requirement.
The increasing student enrollment and lack of space in Thompson Hall required an adjustment in the formatting of classes. Physical education classes were adjusted to two 8-week classes within a semester.
1960s
The department established the Adult Fitness Program. It was the first extension program in the adult fitness area for men over 35 researching cardiovascular fitness.
As the number of women enrolled at NC State increased, the physical education department provided women-only classes for students.
Carmichael Gymnasium was named for William Donald Carmichael, a World War I veteran and advocate for the completion of Reynolds Coliseum. The Department of Physical Education was one of the early occupants of the building.
Carmichael Gymnasium1970s
Dr. William P. Marley, the first exercise physiologist, was hired to develop a Health & Physical Fitness Course and train the staff to teach it.
1980s
This addition added 130,000 square feet with amenities such as an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor jogging track, and a dance studio.
The 8-week classes were changed to a semester format. The addition to Carmichael Gymnasium allowed for an expansion in course offerings particularly in the areas of outdoor education and dance
Dr. Angela Lumpkin was the first woman hired as head of the Department of Physical Education.
1990s
The First Distance Education course offered by the department was Aerobics and Body Conditioning.
2000s
The Department of Physical Education was separated into three departments: Physical Education, Campus Recreation, and Carmichael Complex and Facilities Operations.
2010s
The university changed the name of the Department of Physical Education to the Department of Health and Exercise Studies.
