In Memoriam of Herbert Haag

We are deeply sad about the passing away. of Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Herbert Haag on 9 March 2025.

Herbert Haag has contributed to the work of ICSSPE in various capacities since the 1970’s, and in particular, in his long-standing membership in the Editorial Board. Over decades, Herbert Haag was involved in numerous scientific projects and publications focusing on research methodologies and sport pedagogy.

Due to his studies at Stanford University in California in the 1960’s he had  very special insight in developments in physical fitness and physical education in the USA. The long list of his publications is a clear indication of his enormous productivity and also his strong commitment to international exchange and cooperation.

A special interest of Herbert Haag was to ensure accessibility to terms and knowledge in the area of physical education and sport science. Together with his son Gerald Haag and Filip Mess he published in 2012 a new and improved edition of a dictionary “Sport- Physical Education-Sport Science”.

For many years Herbert Haag was a driving force within the Editorial Board of ICSSPE. His contribution to the initiation and realization of  the so-called “VADEMECUM”, later called “Directory of Sport Science”, was truly remarkable. This publication was welcomed world-wide by researchers and practitioners alike.

In 2013 he wrote the foreword to the 6th Edition of the “Directory of Sport Science” emphasizing the role and objectives of ICSSPE and the importance of multidisciplinary research in sport science.

For his lifelong contribution to physical education and sport science he was presented the Philip Noel-Baker Research Award of ICSSPE in 2017.

Personally I would like to express my deep respect for his outstanding work in ICSSPE, in particular, during the years of my presidency from 1997 to 2008.I had met Herbert already in 1971 on the occasion of the International Physical Education Teachers Course in Graz, Austria, where we did not only participated in theoretical sessions, but also played together in an international handball team.

As members of ICSSPE we wish to express our deep gratitude to Herbert Haag's lifelong contribution and commitment . Our thought are with his family, friends and colleagues. We will always keep an honorable memory of Professor Herbert Haag.

Memoriam by Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper, ICSSPE's Honorary President