North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Graduate Diversity Scholarship renamed Gary A. Sailes Graduate Diversity Scholarship

Established in the late 1970’s the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) exists to promote, stimulate, and encourage the sociological study of play, games, sport and contemporary physical culture. As an active member of the organization since 1984, IU SPH Associate Professor of Kinesiology Dr. Gary Sailes is dedicated to assisting those who have an interest in the field of study.

In an effort to support student academic endeavors, Dr. Sailes endowed a scholarship several years ago to support doctoral students of color who have a scholarly interest in a diversity issue within the Sociology of Sport.  His motivation for the endowment he says wasn’t one thing in particular, but just part of who he is.

“Altruism, servitude and mentorship have been programmed into my head since I can remember.  It is in my DNA.  I have always been the type of individual who gave a stray cat a home, give cash to homeless individuals standing on street corners with signs, give to the United Way, United Negro College Fund, etc.  That is just who I am,” he said.

While the original name for the scholarship endowed by Dr. Sailes several years ago was the Graduate Diversity Scholarship, this past year at the organization’s annual conference the Board of Directors voted to rename the scholarship the Gary A. Sailes Graduate Diversity Scholarship in honor of Dr. Sailes and his continued support.