Vern D. Seefeldt
Leadership Council

Vern D. Seefeldt began his career as an educator by teaching biological science and physical education in the public schools of Wisconsin. A graduate of University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor degree in 1955 and a Ph.D in 1966 he became a faculty member of Michigan State University as well as University of Wisconsin. In 1978 he became a Director at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University. In 1996 his title was changed to Director Emeritus, which he holds to present date. His professional interests include the interrelationship of physical growth, biological maturity and motor skill acquisition of children and youth. As founder and Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, he has devoted his time to the study of beneficial/detrimental effects of athletic competition on children and youth. As past president of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, he retains a keen interest in the status and content of physical education programs in the United States.

Seefeldt has written over one hundred and fifty publications, including articles in the following journals: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport; Pediatric Exercise Science; Motor Skills: Theory into Practice; American Journal of Physical Anthropology; Journal of Mental Deficiency Research; Osteopathic Annals; Annals of Human Biology and American Journal of Diseases of Children. He has also given three hundred seventy-six presentations including keynote addresses in Israel, Yugoslavia, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Belgium, Hong Kong and Korea.

Seefeldt is also associated with the following programs: Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Motor Performance Study, Remedial Motor Clinic, Justification-Outcomes Project, National Association for Sport and Physical Education, Program for Athletic Coaches Education, Michigan Exemplary Physical Education programs project and National Standards for Athletic Coaches.

Vern holds the Distinguished Faculty Award, Michigan State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Wisconsin 1991, the Professional Achievement Award, National Association for Sport and Physical Education 1986, State of Michigan Achievement Award, 1993 and the Award for Distinguished Service, Michigan State University, 1996.