ASU professor emeritus lives the 'fit for life' mantra

The National Academy of Kinesiology presented Charles “Chuck” Corbin, professor emeritus in the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion at Arizona State University, with its highest honor, the Hetherington Award. The award was presented at the academy’s 82nd annual meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Hetherington Award is presented to those who have made outstanding contributions related to the study and educational application of human movement and physical activity.

Brad Cardinal, academy fellow and treasurer, introduced Corbin at the award banquet calling him the “father of fitness education.” Cardinal applauded Corbin for his many accomplishments, including establishing the President’s Council Science Board and “making science accessible to practitioners and the public at large.”

“(Corbin) is widely known as an innovator, leader and mentor – a statesman of kinesiology in the truest sense,” Cardinal said. “He also practices what he preaches, staying active and fit.”

Corbin said being recognized in this way by a group of accomplished peers is “very meaningful.”

“Every award is meaningful, but this one really stands out to me because just being in the Academy is a great honor,” Corbin said. “Also three of the new fellows inducted this year are ASU doctoral grads. One of the three is Greg Welk of Iowa State, one of my former doctoral students and co-authors.”

Corbin, who served on the ASU faculty for 25 years, has a long list of career accomplishments, which includes publishing 100 books (including the award winning textbooks "Fitness for Life" and "Concepts of Physical Fitness," more than 200 journal articles and numerous presentations world wide.

Corbin is an honor fellow of the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) and a member of its national Hall of Fame. He was honored by his alma mater, the University of New Mexico as a Centennial Scholar at the university’s 100-year anniversary celebration, and the University of Illinois as a Distinguished Alumnus.

Corbin began his career as an elementary school physical educator, before doing graduate study and becoming a college teacher, researcher and author. He remains active, having just completed the 17th edition of his college book and 6th edition of his high school book. 

“I am proud that I now have former ASU students as my co-authors and that one of my co-authors is my son, Will Corbin, associate professor of clinical psychology at ASU.

“Continuing my work keeps me alert and mentally fit,” he added. “I believe in what I do and continue to try to promote active and healthy lifestyles, especially among youth.”

Written by Brittany Hargrave