RÉSUMÉ: Thomas William Bowler, II
ADDRESS:
2461 Hemingway Lane, Unit 101
Merritt Island, Florida 32953-4046 & Niantic, Connecticut [seasonal]
Cell phone. No. (860) 670-2180
E-mail address:
EDUCATION:
Undergraduate College:University of Connecticut
B.S. In Physical Education
School of Education, 1966
Graduate School:Springfield College
M.Ed. In Physical Education
1973
Advanced Graduate Studies:University of Connecticut
Sixth-Year Program In
Professional Education In
Administration & Supervision
of Special Education, 1981
CEU’s(associated with teaching career) 10.5 earned 1989-94;
9.6 earned 1994-99
Additional CEU’s
Nov. 1995, 1.2 CEU’s earned for attending the National Playground Safety Institute,
in Toledo, Ohio
Nov. 1998, 1.2 CEU’s earned for attending the National Playground Safety Institute
in Morristown, New Jersey
Aug. 2000, 3.0 CEU’s earned for completing the entire course of the National
Playground Safety School, held in Cedar Falls, Iowa, at the University of Northern
Iowa
July, 2001, 1.2 CEU’s earned for attending the National Playground Safety Institute
in East Hartford, Connecticut
March, 2004, 1.2 CEU’s earned for attending the National Playground Safety Institute
in East Hartford, Connecticut
April, 2013, 0.7 CEU’s earned completing successfully the CPSI prep course bundle,
National Recreation and Park Association online course
Revised: July 03, 2014
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES:
National Recreation & Park Association:
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 1995-
1998.
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 1998-
2001.
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 2001-
2004
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 2004-
2007 (03-26-04 to 4-01-07) Certification Number = 2970-0407
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 2007-
2010 (04-13-07 to 5-01-10) Certification Number = 9485-0510
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 2010-
2013 (04-15-2010 to 05-01-2013) Certification Number = 33406-0513
-Certified Playground Safety Inspector, by the National Recreation & Park Association, 2013-
2016 (04-22-2013 to 05-01-2016) Certification Number = 33406-0516
National Program for Playground Safety:
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, August, 2000. (2 years)
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, 5-7-02,
(2 years)
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, 6-24-04,
(2 years)
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, 8-25-06
(2 years)
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, 6-09-08
(2 years)
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, Valid through
August, 2012.
-SAFE Certification, by the National Program for Playground Safety, Renewed, Valid through
August, 2014.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
-Adjunct faculty member, CentralConnecticutStateUniversity, fall, 2008, Department
of Physical Education and Human Performance. Taught graduate course entitled,
“Sport, Physical Education, Athletics and the Law”.
-Adjunct faculty member, Central Connecticut State University, fall, 2006, Department
of Physical Education and Human Performance. Taught graduate course entitled,
“Sport, Physical Education, Athletics and the Law”.
-Adjunct faculty member, Central Connecticut State University, spring, 2006,
Department of Physical Education and Human Performance. Taught undergraduate course
entitled, “The Application of Tort Law to Physical Activity”. Course geared to exercise
science majors at CCSU.
-Adjunct faculty member, Eastern Connecticut State University, fall, 1999, through the fall of,
2005, Health and Physical Education Department (Supervision of physical education student
teachers at the elementary, middle school, & high school levels).
-Adjunct faculty member, Central Connecticut State University, spring, 2005, Department of
Physical Education and Health Fitness Studies. Taught undergraduate course entitled, “The
Application of Tort Law to Physical Activity”. Course geared to exercise science majors at
CCSU.
-Adjunct faculty member CentralConnecticutStateUniversity, fall, 2004, Department of
Physical Education and Health Fitness Studies. Taught graduate level courseentitled,
“Sport, Physical Education, Athletics and the Law”.
-Adjunct faculty member CentralConnecticutStateUniversity, spring, 2004,
Department of Physical Education & Health Fitness Studies. Taught undergraduate course,
PE 412, entitled, “The Application of Tort Law to Physical Activity”. Course geared to exercise
science majors at CCSU.
-Adjunct faculty member CentralConnecticutStateUniversity, spring, 2003, Department
of Physical Education & Health Fitness Studies. Taught undergraduate course, PE 412,
entitled, “The Application of Tort Law to Physical Activity”. Course geared to exercise
science majors at CCSU.
-Adjunct faculty member, Central Connecticut State University, fall, 2002,Department
ofPhysical Education & Health Fitness Studies. Taught graduate level course, PE 524, fall,
2002, entitled, “Sport, PhysicalEducation, Athletics, and the Law”.
-Director of Intramurals & Recreation, Athletic Department, Eastern Connecticut State
University, fall, 1993 to spring, 1995.
-Director of Intramurals, Athletic Department, Eastern Connecticut State University, fall, 1991 to
spring, 1993.
-Playground Consultant, Total Playground Consulting Services, 1992 to present.
-Playground Consultant, Custom Playgrounds, 1982 to 1989.
-Interim Acting Director of Parks and Recreation, Vernon, Connecticut, summer, 1985.
-Part-time lecturer, Eastern Connecticut State University, Physical Education Department,
1982 to 1986.
-Elementary physical education teacher, Vernon, Connecticut, 1966 to 1999.
MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
-American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance [Exp. 11/30/14]
-Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance[Exp. 10/31/14]
-The Sport and Recreation Law Association [Exp. 6/15/15]
-National Recreation and Park Association [Exp. 5/31/15]
-The American College of Sports Medicine [Exp. 11/30/14]
-Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport[Exp.4/30/15]
-American Society for Testing and Materials International [Exp. 12/31/2014]
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS:
-Professional Service Award, Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education and
Recreation, 1980.
-Vernon “Teacher of the Year,” Vernon, Connecticut, 1983-1984.
-Professional Honor Award, Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation, and Dance, 1996.
-Outstanding Professional Award, The Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, in the area of “recreation”, March 10,
2001, Newport, Rhode Island.
-President’s Award, Sport & Recreation Law Association, March 05, 2010, given at the
annual conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
SEMINARS ATTENDED:
June 24, 1997, “Systems Anthropometry” (Sponsored by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission and the National Institute of Standards and Technology) Holiday Inn, Bethesda,
Maryland.
August 2-5, 2000, National Playground Safety School, held at the University of Northern
Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
March 15, 2001, “Lifeguards—Are They Worth The Risk?” Sponsored by the Connecticut
Recreation and Parks Association, Madison Town Campus, Madison, Connecticut.
September 17, 2003, “Student Athletic Programs and the Law in Connecticut: A Primer on the
Legal Issues Associated with Student Athletics”, sponsored by Lorman Educational Services, Goodwin Hotel, Hartford, Connecticut.
September 23, 2008, “Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas”, Training Workshop Presented by the United States Access Board and National Playground Safety Institute [NPSI]. Sponsored by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association. WaterfordParks and Recreation hosted the
seminar. Seminar was held at the Community Center, 24 Rope Ferry Road, in Waterford, CT.
October 28, 2011, “2011 Brain Trauma and the Athlete”, Boston University School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education and The BU Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy in conjunction with Brain Association of Massachusetts and Sports Legacy Institute. Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, Framingham, Massachusetts.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
1977 – Hartford, Connecticut, “Ball Skills”, Leisure Park Special Program, with panel,
demonstration, at the Eastern District Association, of the American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Hartford
Civic Center, Exhibition Hall, (3-5-77).
1977 – New Haven, Connecticut, “A Creative Approach to Teaching Ball Skills” with
panel, demonstration, at the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical
Education and Recreation, (10-28-77).
1980 – Manchester, Connecticut, “Innovative Design of Space at No Public Cost”, panelist
on radio program show entitled, “Focus on Education”, broadcast on WINF, in
Manchester, Connecticut, (1-12-80).
1981 – New Britain, Connecticut, “Playscape” with Ed Litke, Connecticut Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, (10-30-81).
1983 – New Haven, Connecticut, Jump rope workshop presentation, sponsored by the
American Heart Association and Connecticut Association for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, & Dance, (5-25-83).
1983 – New Britain, Connecticut, “Build Your Own Playscape Using Volunteers”, Connecticut
Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, (10-28-83).
1984 – New Britain, Connecticut, Jump rope workshop presentation, sponsored by the
American Heart Association and Connecticut Association for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, & Dance, (5-23-84).
1984 – New Britain, Connecticut, Jump rope demonstration with jump rope trick team,
Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance.
(10-26-84).
1985 – Atlantic City, New Jersey, “Playscape: Elementary School Playground Development”,
Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, Claridge Hotel, (3-9-85).
1985 – Atlantic City, New Jersey, “Jump Rope for Heart: Connecticut’s Success Story”,
Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, Claridge Hotel, (3-9-85).
1990 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania, “Public Playground Safety—Our Children At Risk”, Eastern
District Association, of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance, Sheraton-Lancaster Hotel and Golf Resort, (3-2-90).
1990 – New Orleans, Louisiana, “Playground Structures”, American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, New Orleans Convention Center, New
Orleans, Louisiana, (4-1-90).
1991 – Newport, Rhode Island, “Pros and Cons of Community Built Playground Equipment”,
Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, Newport Marriott Hotel, (3-9-91).
1991 – San Francisco, California, “The Pros and Cons of Community Built Playground
Equipment”, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, MosconeConvention Center, (4-5-91).
1991 – Waterbury, Connecticut, “The Pros and Cons of Community Built Playground
Equipment”, Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation,
& Dance, Sheraton Hotel, (11-22-91).
1992 – Baltimore, Maryland, “Playground Equipment Maintenance—Dilemma Facing Our
Nation”, Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, Hyatt Regency Hotel, (2-22-92).
1992 – Indianapolis, Indiana, “Playground Equipment Maintenance—Dilemma Facing Our
Nation”, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
Indiana Convention Center, (4-10-92).
1992 – Waterbury, Connecticut, “Playground Equipment Maintenance—Dilemma Facing Our
Nation”, Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, &
Dance, Sheraton Hotel, (11-20-92).
1993 – Washington, D.C., Panel presentation, Main Title: Playground Standards and
Guidelines-Are Your Playgrounds Safe?with Dr. Fran Wallach and Dr. Donna
Thompson, my topic was “Pre-School Playground Equipment: Past, Present, and
Future Directions, Washington, D. C. Convention Center, (3-28-93).
1993 – Waterbury, Connecticut, “Pre-School Playground Equipment: Past, Present and Future
Directions, Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation,
& Dance, Sheraton Hotel, (11-19-93).
1994 – Philadelphia, PA., “Pre-School Playground Equipment—Past, Present and Future
Directions, Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, (3-9-94).
1994 – Denver, Colorado, “Home Playground Equipment—Accidents For Our Youth”,
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
Colorado Convention Center, (4-15-94).
1995 – Springfield, Massachusetts, “Home Playground Equipment—Accidents for Our
Youth, Eastern District Association, of the American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Springfield Sheraton Monarch
Hotel, (3-4-95).
1995 – Portland, Oregon, Panel presentation, Main Title: Design Considerations for
Playgrounds, with Marilyn Bray, Dr. Annie Clement, and Dr. Lou Bowers
my topic along with Marilyn Bray was entitled, “Age Appropriateness and
Playability, and Playground Equipment” Oregon Convention Center, (3-28-95).
1996 – Stamford, Connecticut, “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” Eastern District Association
of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
Stamford Sheraton, (3-8-96 & 3-9-96) 2 presentations.
1997 – Orlando, Florida, “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” The Tenth Annual Sport,
Physical Activity, Recreation and Law Conference, Radisson Barcelo Hotel,
(3-7-97).
1997 – Farmington, Connecticut, “Playground Safety”, 19thAnnualSchool Health Conference,
sponsored by the Hezekiah Beardsley Connecticut Chapter, of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Farmington Marriott Hotel, (3-20-97).
1997 – Willimantic, Connecticut, guest lecturer, Eastern Connecticut State University, course
on “Youth Sports Coaching”, my topic addressed the issue of “liability”,
(6-2-97).
1997 – Vernon, Connecticut, “Playground Safety and You!” Professional In-Service
presentation to elementary physical education staff, (11-4-97).
1998 – Baltimore, Maryland, “How to Inspect Playground Equipment” 77th Annual
Convention of the Eastern District Association, of the American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance,
(2-21-98).
1998 –Tucson, Arizona, “Elementary Physical Education and Potential Areas for
Litigation”, The Eleventh Annual Sport, Physical Activity, Recreation
and Law Conference, Clarion Suites Hotel, (3-14-98).
1998 – Springfield, Massachusetts, “Planning and Building an Outdoor Movement
Exploration Instructional Space” Tenth Anniversary Conference,
of the SpringfieldCollegeChildDevelopmentCenter, presented
with Assistant Professor of Recreation, Mr. Ted France, fromSpringfield
College, three presentations given, (10-20-98).
1999—El Paso, Texas, “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” 1999 Regional Conference,
Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
J. M. Hanks High School, (1-4-99).
1999—El Paso, Texas, “Elementary Physical Education and Potential Areas for Litigation”,
1999 Regional Conference, Texas Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance J. M. Hanks High School, (1-4-99).
1999—El Paso, Texas, “Developmental Ball Skills for Elementary School”, 1999 Regional
Conference, Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation
& Dance, J. M. Hanks High School, (1-4-99).
1999—St. Simons Island, Georgia, “Playground Supervision and Litigation”, Twelfth Annual
Sport, Physical Activity, Recreation and Law Conference, The King and Prince
Resort, (3-6-99).
1999—Boston, Massachusetts, “Planning and Building an Outdoor Movement Exploration
Instructional Space”, lecture given with Assistant Professor of Recreation,
Mr. Ted France, Springfield College, at the 1999 national convention of the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
(4-24-99).
1999—Vernon, CT. “Legal Liability Update”, presented to the Vernon physical education staff,
day long in-service program, (8-30-99).
1999—West Hartford, CT. “Is Your Playground Equipment Safe?” presented to West Hartford
head elementary school custodians and grounds crew, West HartfordTown
Hall, (9-28-99).
1999—Waterbury, CT. “Is Your Playground Equipment Safe?” seminar developed by Total
Playground Consulting Services, Sheraton Waterbury Hotel, (10-14-99).
1999—Vernon, CT. “Legal Liability Update, Part II”, presented to the Vernon physical
education staff, day long in-service program, (11-2-99).
1999—Waterbury, CT. “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” Connecticut Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, (11-12-99).
1999—Waterville, N. H. “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” New Hampshire Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Conference Center,
Waterville Valley, N. H., (11-18-99).
2000—Bristol, CT. “Legal Liability Update” The Elementary Physical Education Teacher
& Litigation Issues, presented to the Bristol elementary physical
education staff, (2-11-00).
2000—Philadelphia, PA. “Playground Supervision and Litigation”, Eastern District Association
of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, Adams Mark Hotel, (2-24-00).
2000—Albuquerque, N. M. “Promotional Advertising and the Expert Witness”, 13th Annual
Sport, Physical Activity, Recreation and Law Conference, Sheraton Old
Town Hotel, (3-10-00).
2000—Worcester, MA. “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” Massachusetts Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Centrum, Worcester,
MA., (3-14-00).
2000—New Orleans, La., “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” National Association of
Elementary School Principals, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center,
(3-18-00).
2000—Orlando, FL. Panel presentation, Main Title, Symposium on Play and Play
Behavior, my topic was entitled, “Liability & Consulting Concerning
Injury on the Playground”, OrangeCountyConvention Center, American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, National
Convention & Exposition, (3-21-00).
2000—Castleton, VT. “Is Your Playground in Litigation?” Vermont Association for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Castleton State College,
(3-30-00).
2000—Baltimore, MD. “The Effect of Litigation on Outdoor Play”, The Association for the
Study of Play, Marriott-Inner Harbor Hotel, (4-18-00).
2000—Hamden, CT. “Legal Liability, the Physical Educator, and the Expert Witness”, Regional
Workshop, sponsored by the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, Spring Glen School, Hamden, CT.
(5-9-00).
2000—Manchester, CT. “Playground Safety, Supervision and You!” In-service presentation to
the elementary physical education staff, held at the BuckleySchool, in
Manchester, CT., (8-28-00).
2000—Manchester, CT. “Physical Education Safety, Liability and the Teacher”, In-service
presentation to the K-8 physical education staff, held at the Buckley
School, in Manchester, CT., (8-28-00).
2000—Hamden, CT. “Physical Education Safety, Liability and the Teacher”, In-service
presentation to the elementary physical education staff, held at Hamden
High School, Hamden, CT., (8-29-00).
2000—Hamden, CT. “Playground Safety, Supervision and You!” In-service presentation to the
lunch room aides, for the HamdenPublicSchool district, held at the
Dunbar Hill School, in Hamden, CT., (8-30-00).
2000—Maitland, FL. “The Role of the Expert Witness in Physical Education” Florida Alliance
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Driver Education,
Sportplex Conference Room, in Maitland, FL., (10-13-00).
2000—Groton, CT. “Legal Liability and You!” In-service presentation (one day) in
conjunction with LEARN, to the target audience of K-12 physical
education teachers and coaches held at FitchSenior High School, in
Groton, CT. (10-27-00)
2000—Glastonbury, CT. “Legal Liability, the Physical Educator, and the Expert Witness”,
Regional Workshop sponsored by the Connecticut Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Gideon Welles
Middle School’s gymnasium, in Glastonbury, CT., (11-1-00).
2000—Laramie, WY. “The Expert Witness in Physical Education”, WyomingAlliance
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Corbett Physical
Education Building, University of Wyoming. (11-10-00).
2000—St. Charles, IL. “The Role of the Expert Witness in Physical Education”, Illinois
Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,
Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Illinois. (11-16-00).
2000—St. Charles, IL. “Developmental Ball Skills K-6”, Illinois Association for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Pheasant Run Resort,
Mega Center A, St. Charles, Illinois (11-16-00).
2000—Myrtle Beach, SC. “The Role of the Expert Witness in Elementary Physical Education”,
South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, Embassy Suites, at the Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina. (11-17-00).
2000—Myrtle Beach, SC. “Developmental Ball Skills K-6”, South Carolina Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. Embassy Suites, at the
Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (11-19-00).
2000—Willimantic, CT. “Playground Equipment and Expert Witnessing”, guest lecturer at
Eastern Connecticut State University, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Course on “facilities”, (RLS 330), Sports Center, Willimantic, CT.