Trekell, Marianna
Biography
Dr. Marianna Trekell was a decorated leading figure in physical education, with her innumerous speeches, writing, and research throughout her life showing the passion and dedication she had for her profession. Dr. Trekell was born on April 11, 1926 in Davenport, Iowa. She attended public schools in Davenport, eventually earning her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, in 1949. She attended the Ohio State University, Columbus for both her Master’s degree in 1953, and her Ph.D. in 1962. Her post-doctoral employment was at the University of Illinois- Urbana, starting as an Assistant Professor and Supervisor of Student Teachers in the College of Education and Department of Physical Education for Women. By 1972, she was an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology. Before her Ph.D., she was a physical education teacher in public schools in Iowa and Ohio, from 1949 to 1963.
She held many offices for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) at district, state, and national levels. Dr. Trekell was district Treasurer for the Midwest Association for Physical Education for College Women from 1967 to 1969, President of the same organization from 1973 to 1975, and an AAHPERD Midwest representative to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) in 1982. Her state offices included being the Historian for the Illinois Association for Professional Preparation in Physical Education and Recreation (IAPPHPER), as well as for the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She was the President of IAPPHER from 1973 to 1975. She also held many offices nationally, including being Publications Director for NASPE, Division for Girls and Women’s Sports Historian, Chairman for the Philosophical and Cultural Foundation Area of the Physical Education Division of AAHPER, and Co-President and President of the National Association of Physical Education for College Women.