The ETSU office of University Advancement has begun an endowment this semester to establish a professorship for sports literature and play theory in the English department.
The endowment is in the honor of Dr. Robert “Jack” Higgs and the late Dr. Lyle Olsen.
Higgs was a member of the ETSU faculty from 1967- 1994. He wrote numerous books and articles on the subject of sports literature and has received requests from around the world for his information.
Olsen founded the Sports Literature Association and its journal Aethlon that has been in continuous publication at ETSU for the last 12 years.
“Sport literature is any literature with sports at the center,” said Dr. Don Johnson, dean of the college of Arts and Sciences. “It can include poetry, films about sports.”
Courses in play theory will also be available, according to Johnson.
“Play theory is an analysis of what it means to play,” he said.
The endowment will support the professorship of a faculty member to teach the course and conduct research. It will also provide travel money, said Jeff Anderson, associate vice president for University Advancement.
“The endowment supports the professorship of the faculty member teaching the course,” he said. “The gifts will never be touched. The earnings will support the professorship.”
Many of the gifts will be given by friends and former students of Higgs and Olsen through the endowment.
“We’re in the beginning stages, trying to get the endowment up right now,” Johnson said.
The endowment has already reached $17,545. It will be effective as a professorship once it reaches $100,000, but the goal for the endowment is to reach distinguished professorship status at $250,000.
“The distinguished professorship refers to having enough capital to support the professorship for research, travel and supplies like films, books and stipends for scholars in the field,” Anderson said.
Anyone interested in supporting the endowment honoring Olsen and Higgs can do so through the Campaign for ETSU Tomorrow.
For more information, call the office of University Advancement at 439-5381 or mail gifts to the ETSU Foundation, P.O. Box 70721. Johnson City, TN 37614.

Author