A standout athlete in three sports at Cortland, Gerald Hase was supervisor of physical education and recreation for the New York State Education Department from 1951 to 1982. During that time, Hase directed the development of the New York State Physical Fitness Screening Test, which has served as a model throughout the United States and several other nations.
Hase, a native of Camillus, N.Y., lettered for the Red Dragons in football, basketball and tennis. Syracuse University named Hase to its 1940-41 All-Opponent Basketball Team. "Ace" paced all Cortland hoopsters in scoring during the 1941-42 and 1942-43 seasons, the latter as the team captain.
Joining the army in 1943, Hase became a regular on the Fort Sam Houston and Fort Jackson basketball teams. In 1943-44, he was selected to the U.S. Army Southwestern All-Star Basketball Team that met the Mexican Army All-Stars in Mexico City.
After the service, Hase returned to Cortland in 1946 and played the first half of the basketball season before earning his B.S. in physical education in January, 1947. Hase earned a master's degree from Syracuse University in 1948 and a doctorate from Indiana University in 1956.
He taught chemistry and health while serving as head track and assistant football and basketball coach at LeRoy High in 1947-48. The next year, Hase was appointed director of physical education responsible for kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1951, the New York State Education Department's Division of Health, Physical Education & Recreation selected Hase as its supervisor of physical education & recreation. He served in that capacity until retiring in 1982.
During his 31 years with the State Education Department, Hase worked with schools and colleges in the area of curriculum, facilities, teacher education, certification, safety, research and testing. He has written 17 articles in professional journals and co-authored three books. Hase was received as a Fellow in the American School Health Association in 1958 for his outstanding contribution to the school health and safety education program. The New York State Council of Administrators of Health, Physical Education and Recreation honored Hase in 1971 with a lifetime membership. In 1981, the New York State Coaches Association selected Hase for its Special Honor Award. "After having taught at several colleges and universities throughout the United States and having specific responsibilities in working with all 26 institutions in New York State having physical education majors," recounted Hase, "I would have to say that Cortland has the best undergraduate program for the preparation of physical education teachers in the United States. Cortland has never been satisfied with meeting minimum teaching certification but has always required additional competencies.
UPDATE: Hase died in November 1991.
