Channing R. Mann was a native of Lincoln, Nebraska and a graduate of Lincoln High School. He received his professional training at Springfield College, then known as the International YMCA College. He graduated in 1916. From 1917-1919 he directed the Army YMCA program at Fort Jackson. In 1920, he became the first certified hygiene and physical training director of New York State, serving as the Director of Health, Physical Education in the public schools of Troy, New York, a position he held until 1963. He was one of the founding members of the NY State Association for Health and Physical Education and Recreation and one of the founding members of the NY State Public High School Athletic Association. He won many awards during his career, including Springfield College’s Tarbell Medallion in 1958. Perhaps the pinnacle of his career was the creation of the Channing Mann Award, given to City and County Directors in AAPHERD and now known as the Channing Man Administrator of the Year Award given to administrators or supervisors for contributions to their profession and in service to the mission of SHAPE America and school leadership. Channing Mann died on May 9, 1978.

Works Cited

Recipient of Honor Award: Ambassador of Physical Education - New York Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance: Biography & Speech (viewed: January 19, 2019)

SHAPE America Website - Channing R. Mann Award (viewed: January 19, 2019)

Troy Times Record - Channing Mann Obituary (viewed: January 19, 2019)

- Written by Jeffrey Monseau in January 2019