MUNCIE, Ind. -- Without George Branam, Ball State University might not have its world-renowned Human Performance Laboratory.

David Costill, who directed the laboratory from its founding in 1966 until his retirement last June, credited the Muncie physician with much of the lab's early success.

"George Branam's personal involvement in my research and his fund raising for my first laboratory in the late 1960s was the biggest single factor which kept me at Ball State for more than 30 years," Costill said.

Ball State's School of Physical Education recently made Branam the first recipient of its Physical Education and Fitness/Wellness Recognition Award. The award will be presented annually to Indiana leaders for contributions to physical education, fitness and wellness.

Branam, chief pathologist and blood bank director at Muncie's Ball Memorial Hospital, was involved in Costill's initial muscle biopsy work at Ball State.

Costill said his heart disease research from 1968 to 1971 would not have been possible without Branam. When participating physician John Kammer died unexpectedly, Branam quickly stepped in to locate another cardiologist.

A race enthusiast and eight-time participant in the Boston Marathon, Branam was instrumental in establishing the Muncie Endurathon, the second oldest triathlon in the country, and the Muncie 10, the oldest continuing race in Indiana.

"He brought some of the world's best runners to Muncie to participate in our research projects," Costill said.

David Pearson, associate professor of physical education who nominated Branam for the award, said Branam provided Muncie with its first high-tech athletic training center, where free weights and aerobic trainers were available before Ball State built its own facilities.

Pearson said Branam was studying the biomechanics of running years before it was commonplace.

"His curiosity as to what makes an athletic champion will forever link him with the development of the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State," Pearson said.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story, contact Ron Davis at (765) 285-1462, e-mail rdavis@bsu.edu or David Pearson at (765) 285-1143, e-mail dpearson@bsu.edu.)