Memorial Statement
James H. Humphrey, professor emeritus of physical education at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Humphrey received his bachelor’s degree from Denison University, his master’s degree from Western Reserve University and his doctor’s degree from Boston University.
From 1937 to 1949 he was director of health and physical education at Bedford High School in Bedford, Ohio. Dr. Humphrey enlisted in the Navy and served from 1943 to 1945 as an Athletic Specialist at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. After receiving his doctorate from Boston University in 1951 he became an assistant professor of physical education at Michigan State University. In 1953, he became as associate professor of physical education and health at the University of Maryland in College Park and was promoted to full professor in 1956 where he taught until he retired at age 70. Additionally, he held visiting professorships at Colorado State College, University of Hawaii and Texas A&M.
As a notable researcher and author, Dr. Humphrey was the recipient of many honors and awards during his career. He authored or coauthored 63 books and edited 43 others. He also published several children’s books and created a series of educational record albums. His more than 200 articles and research papers have appeared in more than 20 different national and international journals and magazines. The major thrust of Professor Humphrey’s research was in the area of child learning through motor activity. His development of the AMAV Technique of teaching reading through movement was widely used to assist children who had problems in learning to read, perceptual difficulties, motor deficiencies, stress and certain personality dysfunctions. At the time of his death, he was the editor of the Journal of Contemporary Athletics.
Dr. Humphrey was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Education in 1966. He was also the recipient of the R. Tate McKenzie Award, the highest citation by the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
As an athlete himself, Dr. Humphrey was recognized as one of the outstanding middle distance runners of the Midwest during his undergraduate days at Denison University. As captain of the Denison Tracksters in 1933, he led his team to the Ohio conference Title by winning the 440 yard dash and the 880 yard dash. Prior to entering the Navy, Dr. Humphrey coached for six years at Bedford High School where he set an enviable coaching record. He coached the Varsity Track Team of the U.S. Navy Training Center at Great Lakes and had an undefeated season in 1945.
After his retirement, not only did he continue writing and publishing he continued his own personal fitness regimen running three times a week until age 95.
In recognition of Dr. Humphrey’s accomplishments the University of Maryland, Department of Kinesiology recently established the James H. Humphrey Graduate Student Published Research Award that is given each spring to the best published paper first authored by a graduate student in Kinesiology.
