Clifford E. Horton

Clifford Emory “Pop” Horton (December 31, 1892- April 14, 1981) was an American Professor in Physical Education, collegiate coach, and founder of the oldest collegiate circus in the U.S., The Gamma Phi Circus.

Early Life
Clifford Horton was born on December 31st, 1892 in Shelton, Washington to parents C.E. and Anna L. Horton. He began tumbling at 11 years old and 10 years after he started, Horton organized his first circus program around a core of gymnasts at an Indiana YMCA. In 1919, he graduated from Y.M.C.A. College of Physical Education, now known as Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1923, he got his Masters degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. On June 15, 1921, Horton married Garnetta E. Schneid in Madison, Wisconsin.

Early Career
Before his time at Illinois State University, Clifford Horton worked as the Physical Director at the Y.M.C.A. in Spokane, Washington, Michigan City, Indiana, and Mittineague, Massachusetts. He was a student instructor in Physical Education at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts and the Director of Playgrounds in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He also worked as the Instructor in Physical Education at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, the Director of Physical Education at the Public Schools of San Luis, California, the Supervisor of Playgrounds in Gardener, Massachusetts, and the Instructor in Physical Education and Coach of Baseball and Soccer at Clark University, Massachusetts. While working at Ohio Wesleyan University, Horton helped organize The Beta Chapter of Gamma Phi, an honorary gymnastics fraternity. He was also a charter member of Normal’s American Legion Post and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry from 1918-1919.

Life at Illinois State University
In 1923, Clifford Horton became a faculty member at Illinois State Normal University, now known as Illinois State University. During the 1920’s, he was the only coach of athletics that ISU had. He was also the ninth head football coach at ISU where he served for two seasons from 1923-1924. In 1923 and with the help of Fred Young, the Pantagraph Sports Editor, they changed the nickname of ISU from Teachers to Rebirds, which is the current nickname of the school. Within a year, he established an intramural program, which ended up being the finest in the Midwest. In 1929, Horton established the Gamma Phi fraternity, renamed the Gamma Phi Circus in 1931. In 1938, he became the Head of the Physical Education Department and held that position until his retirement in 1961. In 1930, he became a member of the Athletic Board of Control. Horton also served as the chairman of the board and presided at all meetings. As the board was the governing power behind Normal athletics, Horton’s job was to approve of athletic schedules, eligibility of athletes, expenditures, awarding of official “N’s” and sweaters, and to appoint the managers for all major sports. The objectives of the Gamma Phi fraternity was to promote the interest of physical education among the students at the University, to honor gymnastic excellence in the individual members of the student body and faculty of the University by election to membership. All of this was under Horton’s direct supervision as the Head Director of Physical Education.

Life Outside of ISU
When Clifford Horton was not working at Illinois State Normal University, he was a part of many things outside of the school. One of his most prized efforts was helping to organize the first public library in Normal. He was active in Red Cross Work, Boy Scouts, and community recreation activities. He also served as director of the McLean County Chapter for Crippled Children’s, now known as AbilityFirst, summer camp for 15 years in Lake Bloomington. He was a charter member of Normal’s American Legion Post and the commissioner of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1950 to 1965.

Death
On April, 14th, 1981, Clifford Horton passed away in Bloomington, Illinois at age 88.

Legacy
In 1961, ISU started construction on a new health and physical education building which was named after Horton, the Horton Field House which is still used. In 1966, he donated $5,000 to ISU’s University Foundation to establish scholarships in physical education, now known as the Clifford E Horton Fund. In 1968, he was named Normal’s Outstanding Citizen of the year by the town’s Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame in 1974.