Alyce Cheska

Alyce Cheska started working in Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois in 1966. She was Head of the Women’s Physical Education Department from 1966-1970. Prior to her retirement in 1987, she was also an affiliate professor in the Department of Anthropology, specializing in the anthropology of play and sport. Alyce served as faculty representative for athletics for the University to the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA, and was the first female to serve in these positions. She received the Big Ten Athletic Conference award for outstanding service. Alyce was an innovator of interdisciplinary cross-cultural studies in kinesiology, anthropology, and art. Her personal papers are available in the University Archives.