Oct. 27, 2025 | Laura Payne
RST alumni fondly remember a former department head
Dr. Laurence Chalip, former head of the Department of Recreation Sport and Tourism and a Brightbill/Sapora professor, died on Sept. 5, 2025, at the age of 74.
Chalip was a global leader and visionary in the field of sport policy and sport management. He championed the integration of the recreation, sport and tourism field and encouraged the RST faculty and students to emphasize the commonalities among their sub-fields. In an interview at George Mason University, Chalip said, “There’s no problem out there that’s strictly a sociological problem, economic problem, or a political problem. In the real world, it all comes together.”
Chalip’s legacy and influence went far beyond Illinois—he was recognized internationally and served as the president of the North American Society for Sport Management, or NASSM. Chalip was a change agent, shaping global conversations on policy and best practices in sport, tourism, and recreation. While he valued research-driven knowledge, he focused equally on advocating for change that has “on the ground” impacts for RST organizations, policy makers, communities and society.
“Laurence was among the top 2 percent of scholars globally across all fields and selflessly advanced the study of sport management,” said Robert Baker, professor emeritus of Sport, Recreation and Tourism at George Mason. “Listing his many accomplishments only scratches the surface of who Laurence was, his impact on our thinking and careers. Laurence inspired us—he made the academy, and each of us (in sport management) better. He was passionate about teaching and mentoring students. He brought deep analysis and insights into his courses, questioned the status quo, and challenged students to critically examine and defend their positions.”
Dr. Liselle Milazzo, a former RST doctoral student, shared how Chalip’s mentoring helped her grow as a scholar. “Dr. Chalip pushed me harder than any other mentor or professor I’ve ever had, but if I am even a fractionally successful academic, it’s because he saw me as a curious 25-year-old and treated me like I was already a scholar,” Milazzo said.
As a mentor, Chalip made an indelible impression on every student.
“What I will always value about having Dr. Chalip as a friend and mentor is his ability to make students believe in themselves, said Dr. Jeff Far, a former RST doctoral student. “He often said that his favorite time of the week was the time he spent with us in the classroom.”
Chalip grew up in Alameda, California, where he exceled as a competitive swimmer. As a musician and music lover, he enjoyed playing blues and flamenco guitar, and when he was a young man, he was in a girl band, The Fabulaires. He loved to cook and enjoyed cooking for friends and family.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in anthropology at the University of California-Berkeley, he headed to New Zealand where he served as the aquatics director for the Wanganui Community Sports Centre and then the head coach of the Te Awamutu Swimming Club. He continued coaching in Dayton, Ohio. Chalip’s thirst for knowledge led him to earn a master’s degree in psychology at the University of Waikato, and doctorate in public policy at the University of Chicago, where he began integrating his sport experience with policy knowledge.
Friends and colleagues often encouraged him to retire or to cut back on his work, but for Chalip, his work was his leisure. Chalip’s partner and colleague Chris Green said, “He liked nothing better than to play with ideas and create solutions to make a difference in the world.”
Fortunately for all of us, he inspired others to join in the fun and gave us the tools to continue his legacy.
Share on social
