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).

Jean M. B. Genasci was born in 1929 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. She went on to attend Springfield College and earned her Baccalaureate degree in 1955. Jean married her husband, James Genasci, in 1950, and due to his acceptance to work at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, she earned her Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1963. By this time, the couple had their two children, Gail and Gary. After her Master’s, James was offered to teach back at Springfield College, leading to Jean’s employment in the Springfield Public Schools as a librarian. She enjoyed physical education and sports, having traveled nationally and abroad extensively with her husband. Mrs. Genasci co-authored a skiing resource manual with James published in 1967. Jean Genasci passed away December 7, 2019, while traveling in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with her husband, James Genasci.

- Written by Emily Gentile in November 2021

Works used: James E. Genasci - Veterans History Project oral history interview (Viewed February 2022) Springfield College Triangle Magazine Vol. 90 Issue 1 - In Memoriam (Viewed February 2022) PFLAG Pioneer Valley Records (Viewed February 2022) Wind Crest hosts Pride Parade, Centennial Citizen (Viewed February 2022) Genasci, James E. - Springfield College Faculty Files