Date of Award

1982

Degree Name

Physical Education

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

C. Robert Barnett

Second Advisor

Betty Roberts

Third Advisor

Robert Saunders

Abstract

Otto Andrew Gullickson came to the Marshall University campus in the fall of 1930. He was known to generations of Marshall students simply as Swede. Prior to coming to Marshall, he received his education from the State Teachers College at Valley City, North Dakota, Springfield College, and Columbia University. He also served in the United States Army and the American Red Cross. Swede gained teaching experience at Franklin and Marshall Academy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, and the Charlotte Public School System in Charlotte, North Carolina before coming to Marshall. Swede came to Marshall in 1930 as an assistant professor of physical education and director of intramurals after leaving the public school system in Charlotte, North Carolina. During his first year at Marshall, Swede laid the ground work for what was later one of the most extensive intramural programs this country had ever seen. Except for a tour of duty with the American Red Cross in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, Swede remained at Marshall for 33 years until his retirement in the summer of 1963 at the age of 70. During each of his 33 years, he taught physical education and directed the intramural program at Marshall. In the 1962-63 school year, the Marshall intramural program consisted of 160 sport activities and over 32,000 total participants. In addition to his teaching duties, he coached cross country and track and field for a short period of time. He led the track and field team to the Ohio Valley Conference championship in both 1950 and 1951. Swede also made contributions to the campus life of the students at Marshall University. He was actively involved in the formation of the Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national social fraternity on campus. In addition, he contributed to the spirit of Marshall University as he was one of the most flamboyant pep rally speakers on campus. Following his retirement in 1963, the newly constructed Men's Health and Physical Education Building was named Otto (Swede) Gullickson Hall in honor of Otto A. "Swede" Gullickson on April 22, 1964. Gullickson Hall was a lasting tribute to a man who had given so much to the Marshall Community and who had touched the lives of the many thousands of students who attended Marshall University.

Subject(s)

Gullickson, Otto Andrew, 1893-1966.

Coaches (Athletics) - West Virginia.

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