Hunt for adventure led Curtner-Smith to field of sport pedagogy

Dr. Matthew Curtner-Smith’s search for adventure led him from one chapter in his teaching career in the U.K. to another as an educator here in the U.S. and, eventually, as a professor in the College of Education at The University of Alabama.

For 33 years, he taught at the Capstone in the Department of Kinesiology, dedicating his professional life to preparing pre-service physical education teachers, physical therapists studying to become physical educators, and sport pedagogy graduate students as well as has conducted and published award-winning research in the realm of sport pedagogy.

“I was incredibly lucky to have landed the job to be honest with you,” said Dr. Curtner-Smith, professor of sport pedagogy. “I have quite a few friends that I went to school with in the U.K. who have retired, and a number of them, even though they did quite well financially, didn't really enjoy working. But it was always enjoyable for me. My teaching career, working with the students – I've certainly enjoyed being here.”

In 1983, Curtner-Smith earned his honors Bachelor of Education in physical education and educational studies and history in the U.K. at the University of Exeter in England. The same year, he began teaching physical education and history at a secondary school and did so until 1987 when he decided to take a sabbatical and earn his master’s degree. This was a decision he did not make lightly as he loved working with the secondary students and the other teachers.

Curtner-Smith came to the States that same year, earning his Master of Science in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University in 1988 and staying on as a teaching and research assistant. He received his Doctor of Education in sport pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado in 1991, where he also worked as a teaching and research assistant.

While here, Curtner-Smith couldn’t help but notice that some American teachers don’t rely on their colleagues as much as teachers in the U.K. tend to, he said. This made him realize just how much he does depend on his fellow educators.

“Teaching can seem like an individual sport, but it’s a team game. A school is only as good as the collective and how everyone works together,” he said. “I got a good feeling (in that regard) when I came (to UA) for my interview.”

Curtner-Smith flew to Tuscaloosa in 1991 to interview for his position within the Department of Health and Human Performance, now the Department of Kinesiology.

“I’d never even heard of Tuscaloosa. I remember being in the airport on the way to the interview,” he said. “I sat next to a fellow who asked me what I was doing. I told him and asked, ‘Do you know it?’ He had actually played football here. He asked if I had ever heard of (Coach Paul) 'Bear' Bryant, and I said ‘Never.’” He laughed then said, “I guess the rest is history.”

For 33 years, Curtner-Smith served the department and the University, meeting and marrying his wife Dr. Mary Curtner-Smith along the way. Mary also taught at UA as professor emerita of human development and family studies.

“She was teaching a class on human development at the time, and she usually asked another professor to come and talk to her class about physical development,” he said.

This time, that professor was unable to make it, so Mary asked Curtner-Smith if he would fill in for him. He did so, somewhat reluctantly, not knowing how significant that decision would be.

“I tried everything I could to get out of it because it was one of those huge lecture classes,” he said. “But I did go along, and that’s how we met.”

Dr. Curtner-Smith retired from his position as professor of sport pedagogy in September. Throughout his career, he has earned several honors, including being awarded Winner of the 2019 Paper of the Year in PESP by the Southern District SHAPE America Scholar Award in 2020 and receiving the Nellie Rose McCrory Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching from the College of Education. He also was ranked in the top 1% of the most cited scientists in the world across disciplines, top 2% of cited scientists across disciplines from 1966 to 2020, and No. 3 among the most cited sport pedagogy researchers based in the United States, all in 2020.

Curtner-Smith was eligible to retire earlier this year but chose to stay longer to get his doctoral students as far along as he could, an act that shows his passion for teaching and how much he cares about his students. More than anything, he said, he will miss those students and his colleagues, taking many good memories with him as he leaves.

“That’s what makes it,” he said. “Without that camaraderie, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun. … I hope whoever replaces me or comes after, that they have half as much fun as I did.”