Albert D. Colebank

Albert D. Colebank was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1997.

A native of West Virginia, Colebank spent his early years in Fairmont and Beckley before settling in Morgantown, where he graduated from high school in 1931. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from West Virginia University in 1937 and completed a master’s degree in 1939. While pursuing his graduate studies, he served as WVU’s men’s freshman basketball coach from 1936 to 1940.

Colebank began his professional career as recreation director for Hot Shoppes, Inc. in Washington, D.C., from 1940 to 1942. He then served four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to West Virginia as an educational officer with the U.S. Veterans Administration in Wheeling before moving to California to continue his education.

He earned a doctorate in education from UCLA in 1952 and spent much of his career in the Ontario-Montclair School District in California. His roles included physical education teacher, summer tennis instructor, extension course instructor at UC Riverside, and district consultant in health and physical education. He served in the consultant role for 15 years until his retirement in 1980.

Colebank was active in numerous professional organizations, including the National Education Association, the California Teachers Association, and the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, where he remained active for 30 years. He received several honors throughout his career, including the Chairman’s Award from the American Red Cross (1972), the Allocation Chairman’s Award from the United Way (1982), and the Past Presidents Award of Merit from CAPHERD (1985).

Colebank passed away on Dec. 12, 1998.