Skip to main content

Genasci, James, E, Class of '50

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1928

Biography

Dr. James Genasci was born on December 25, 1928, in Lodi, California. After graduating from Sacramento Senior High School in 1946, he attended Springfield College and received his Bachelor of Science in 1950. He served in the Korean War, 1952-54. Coming back from the war, he earned his Master of Science in 1955 at Springfield College, before moving to Colorado, where he received his Doctor of Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1960. Between 1955 to 1963, Genasci was an Instructor in Health and Physical Education at Gorham State Teachers College; an Instructor in Physical Education, and Chief of Posture, Reconditioning and Special Exercise at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado; and Assistant Professor in Health and Physical Education at Colorado State College. Those three positions prepared him for becoming Associate Professor of Physical Education, and later on, Assistant Director of the Division of Graduate Studies at Springfield College, from 1963 to 1994. This position allowed him and his wife to travel abroad, relishing in the physical education philosophies and practices in different countries. His work while employed at Springfield College surrounded the world of physical education and the Humanics philosophy, teaching and writing about sport and physical education in relation to philosophy, art, history, and sociology. Dr. Genasci, on top of his physical education leadership, is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, having co-founded the Pioneer Valley Chapter of PFLAG, Inc. (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) with his wife, Jean, in 1986, in support of their son, Gary. James and Jean have strongly advocated for the LGBTQ+ community through volunteer work, and co-coordinating Public Education Seminars on Gayness/Oppression/Homophobia. James also published papers & ran seminars about homophobia and homosexuality in physical education and sports, which he presented at annual meetings of AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance).

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Olga Ellis Spring Term Project

 Collection — Box 01-02
Identifier: MS-522
Abstract A graduate of Smith College, Olga Ellis joined the Springfield College staff in 1946 as Assistant to the Deans. She was quickly promoted to Acting Registrar of Springfield College on August 1, 1947. A position that was soon made permanent and held until she retired. In 1958 she was promoted to the rank of professor at the position of Registrar. She also was the President of the New England Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers. She retired from Springfield College on...
Dates: ca. 1920-1966

James and Jean Genasci Papers

 Collection — Box 01-08
Identifier: MS-540
Abstract Dr. James Genasci was born in 1928. He attended Springfield College, receiving his Bachelor of Science in 1950 and a Master of Science in 1955. He got a Doctor of Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1960. He was an Associate Professor of Physical Education and eventual Assistant Director of the Division of Graduate Studies at Springfield College from 1963 to 1994. Dr. Genasci was also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, co-founding the Pioneer Valley Chapter of PFLAG, Inc....
Dates: ca. 1940-2000

Springfield College Thomas F. Waddell Records

 Collection — Box 01
Identifier: MS-537
Abstract Dr. Thomas (Flubacher) Waddell (SC Class 1959) was a doctor, a decathlon athlete who participated in the 1968 Olympics, and the founder of the Gay Games (1982). Dr. Waddell was drafted into the army in 1966 as a preventative-medicine officer and paratrooper. Rather than going to the Vietnam War he trained for the Olympics, becoming a US decathlete in the 1968 Olympics where he placed sixth. Dr. Waddell, after joining a gay bowling league, was inspired to organize a gay sporting event modeled...
Dates: 1955-2015

Additional filters:

Subject
AIDS (disease) 2
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome 2
Athletes 2
Decathlon 2
Gay Games 2