In 1984, the South Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance bestowed Dr. Judith Rink with its Outstanding Teacher Award. In 1987, the organization presented her its Scholar Award. For the associate professor of physical education at the University of South Carolina, the honors bespeak a commitment to excellence fostered two decades earlier as a SUNY Cortland undergraduate.
Rink, who earned a B.S. in physical education from Cortland in 1966, most often led the student organizations in which she participated. As Women's Athletic Association president, Rink oversaw new policies for better relationships with the student body. She presided over the Gymnastics Club and belonged to the Officials Club. Included in the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Rink was president of Theta Phi sorority and competed in the women's intramural program.
After three years as a physical education instructor at Sylvan Avenue Elementary School in Bayport, N.Y., Rink earned a master's degree in physical education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She taught physical education in the UNC-Greensboro University Lab School. From 1970 to 1973, she was a physical education instructor at the university. From 1973 to 1977, Rink served as associate director at Camp Illahee in Brevard, N.C., spending two years at the Ohio State University to earn a Ph.D. in physical education in 1979.
Rink worked as an associate professor in physical education at the University of Toledo for two years before assuming the same title at the University of South Carolina in 1981. The author of Teaching Physical Education for Learning and Instructors Manual for Teaching Physical Education for Learning, Rink has co-authored Sports and Recreations Activities for Men and Women, Elementary Physical Education Methods, and Professional Preparation: Insights and Foresights.
Rink, who has written articles for a number of research publications, has addressed the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance national convention with seven professional papers. She has developed instructional materials for South Carolina Education Television and has been a consultant to state agencies in Ohio and South Carolina. At the University of South Carolina, Rink has worked on 25 different committees, including chairing the Teaching Evaluation Revision Committee.
