Elaine Blinde Classroom

Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Elaine Blinde

Help Us Name a Classroom in Davies Hall in Her Memory

We invite you to join us in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Elaine Blinde, a beloved professor, mentor, and pioneer in sport studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to name a classroom in Davies Hall in her memory—a space where future generations of students can be inspired by her enduring impact.

Dr. Blinde joined SIU in 1987 as an assistant professor and spent 23 years shaping the Department of Kinesiology. She developed foundational courses such as KIN 560 Gender and Sport, KIN 245 Sport and American Society, KIN 210 Diversity in American Sport, and KIN 502 Methods of Interview Research. She was instrumental in creating the Sport Studies lab area in Davies Gym and helped launch the Sport Studies master’s program.

Promoted to Full Professor in 1999 and later serving as Department Chair, Dr. Blinde was a dedicated educator and prolific scholar. Her work advanced the fields of sport psychology and sociology, and her mentorship left a lasting mark on students and colleagues alike.

Beyond academia, Elaine was a proud Nebraskan, a passionate photographer, and a devoted aunt and great-aunt. She passed away on June 19, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by the warmth and beauty she cherished.

Your Gift Matters

If we reach our $25,000 goal, a classroom in Davies Hall will be named in Dr. Blinde’s honor. If the full amount is not raised, all contributions will support the Sport Administration and Exercise Science programs she helped build.

Donate today to preserve Dr. Blinde’s legacy and invest in the future of sport studies at SIU.

Let’s come together to celebrate a life of purpose, passion, and profound impact.