Physical education is a facet of the liberal arts tradition that stresses the interdependence of the physical, mental, and social dimensions of human experience. Students will learn to recognize and experience the positive benefits of building physical fitness and self-care habits, explore aspects of the body’s structure and function, and engage in experiences within a group or community setting. 

The wide array of classes that satisfy this requirement are offered at many levels and modes of engagement, including physical education courses (with dozens of options, from weightlifting to rock climbing to yoga and meditation), varsity sports, and dance and movement classes. Courses promote personal health and well-being, often serving collective purposes of expression and teamwork. Students learn to challenge themselves by setting goals and measuring progress toward those goals. 

For students interested in practical applications and theory-based learning, the Department of Physical Education & Athletics offers opportunities to collaborate with experienced professionals via independent study or internships to pursue the supervised study of topics not offered in the regular curriculum.

Facilities

Pamplin Sports Center and Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion are the major indoor health and fitness facilities on campus. They house an eight-lane swimming pool, a gymnasium with three basketball/volleyball courts, an extensive fitness center, and an activity room for self-defense, martial arts, dance, and aerobics classes. Locker rooms are available for people participating in classes, recreation, and athletic events. Griswold Stadium, Fred Wilson Field, and Eldon Fix Track feature a lighted, state-of-the-art track and synthetic playing field. The campus has six tennis courts, four of which are covered. Other facilities include the Huston softball-baseball complex. 

Contact the Athletics Department

Graduation Requirement

Students are required to take two physical education/well-being courses (for a minimum of 2 semester credits) as part of Lewis & Clark’s General Education requirements. The following physical education and athletics courses meet this requirement:

PE/A 101	Activities
PE/A 102	Varsity Athletics
PE/A 142	Wilderness Leadership

Upon completing the requirements of a physical education and well-being course, students will have:

• Learned to recognize and experience the positive benefits of building physical well-being and self-care habits as part of the liberal arts tradition;

• Explored structural and functional aspects of their bodies as part of a healthy relationship with the body;

• Discovered connections between the mind and body; and

• Engaged in these experiences within a group or community setting.

Students may register for only one PE/A 101 Activities course per semester, except in the summer semester, when one course may be taken each session. Up to 4 semester credits earned for the courses listed above may be applied toward total credits required for graduation.

Faculty

Tara Boatman. Instructor in physical education and athletics, associate head athletic trainer. BA 2003 Concordia University.

Brad Breier. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head golf coach. MS 2017 Chapman University. BA 2015 Willamette University.

Jimmy Chau. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head tennis coach. BA 2001 Lewis & Clark College.

Cory Coombe. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head men's basketball coach. MS 2021 University of Florida. BA 2017 Lewis & Clark College.

Charlotte Copp. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head rowing coach. BA 2018 Lewis & Clark College.

John Corkle. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant strength and conditioning coach. MEd 2007, BA 2005 University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Shawna Cyrus. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head softball coach. BA 2002 Oregon State University.

Angela Dendas-Pleasant. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant director of athletics, head strength and conditioning coach. MS 2010, BS 2007 Humboldt State University.

Caitlin DeNise. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head swimming coach. BA 2014 California State University, East Bay.

Brett Elliott. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head football coach. BS 2005 Linfield University.

Dan Fields. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant football coach. MA ED 2020 UCLA. BA 2016 UCLA.

Brian Hauge. Assistant director of athletic communications. MS 2017 Concordia University-Nebraska. BA 2012 University of Arizona Global Campus.

Mary Lou Hunter. Professor emerita of Health and Physical Education. Health and Physical Education. M.Ed. Oregon State University.

Matt Kosderka. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head baseball coach. MA 2003 Concordia University. BS 1998 Willamette University.

Erin Labasan. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head volleyball coach. MS 2018 Smith College. BA 2011 Grinnell College.

Jeremy Loew. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head athletic trainer. MS 2003 Oregon State University. BA 1995 Lewis & Clark College.

Michael Machado. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant football coach. MA 2022 San Jose State University. BA 2019 Lewis & Clark College.

Rebecca McCullough. Athletics administrative assistant, assistant soccer coach. BA 2021 Lewis & Clark College.

Fraser Morrison. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head men's soccer coach. BA 2000 University of Luton.

Lindsay Newman. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head women’s lacrosse coach. MA 2017 University of Denver. BS 2012 University of Kentucky.

Seth Orensky. Director of athletic communications. BS, BA 2011 Boston University.

Gina Parisi. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant athletic trainer. MS 2013 University of Utah. BS 2011 College of Charleston.

Mark Pietrok. Director of physical education and athletics. MEd 1987, BA 1985 University of Portland.

Michael Preston. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant football coach. BA 2005 University of Washington.

Chris Reed. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head track and field coach. BS 2011 Western Oregon University.

Courtney Richardson. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant athletic trainer. MSAT 2023 Pacific University. BS 2020 University of Oklahoma.

Sharon Sexton. Senior associate director of physical education and athletics. MEd 1999 Ashland University. BA 1996 St. Bonaventure University.

Shianne Smith. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant women’s softball coach. MEd 2022 University of Utah. BA 2021 Seattle University.

Jack Thomson. Instructor in physical education and athletics, assistant baseball coach. MBA 2025 University of Portland. BA 2023 Lewis & Clark College.

Jim Tursi. Instructor in physical education and athletics, head women's soccer coach. BA 1981 University of Portland.

Courses