Hans van der Mas receives 2024 White House’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Hans van der Mars, a Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, has been recognized by the International Organization for Health, Sports, and Kinesiology with the 2024 U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awarding organization, IOHSK, promotes high-quality research worldwide and fosters professional excellence in the areas of health, sports, and kinesiology. The award recognizes van der Mars’ many contributions over more than 4,000 hours as an active researcher in Sport Pedagogy/Physical Education Teacher Education and convener of professional development workshops for K–12 physical educators.

“I am honored and humbled to have received this award, and for the opportunity to raise awareness of the purpose of physical education in schools and communities everywhere,” he said.

Over the last 15 years, van der Mars’ research focused on determining factors that facilitate physical activity among secondary school students, and this is especially important for those students who are not part of their school's interscholastic athletics program. In addition, he continues to work in the policy arena specific to how it impacts both the quality and quantity of school physical education. Van der Mars has co-authored more than 150 research papers, professional papers, book chapters, proceedings papers and three textbooks, to name just a few of his contributions.

Hosung So, president and CEO of IOHSK, said the award recognizes van der Mars’ outstanding contributions as a member of the organization, “contributing through an internationally recognized scholarly lecture series, along with providing invaluable academic consultations and services.”

Just last year, van der Mars received the 2023 Luther Halsey Gulick Award at the National Convention and Expo of the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America. The Gulick Award honors an individual who exemplifies the highest standards in accomplishment, innovation and leadership.

Throughout his career, van der Mars has left his mark on physical education, PETE, and Sport Pedagogy in multiple ways. He served as co-editor of the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education from 1998 to 2002. Other recognitions include his induction as an active fellow in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2006 and as a fellow in the Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d’Éducation Physique in 2018. He served as a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board from 2011 to 2014. He is a research fellow in the Society of Physical and Health Educators of America.