Bill Michaelis is a leading play advocate, educator, consultant, and author of play and recreational studies. Michaelis was born and raised on the East Coast. He completed his undergraduate degree at the State University of New York, Cortland in physical education and recreation in 1968. After graduation, Michaelis moved to California where he continued his education at the University of California, Berkeley. He received a Masters degree (1969) and a Ph.D (1980) in Education and Anthropology, specializing in Play and Human Development and Multicultural Education.

Through Michaelis' career, his focus has been "to bridge the gap between theory and practice, to inspire people, and to give them information, skills, and insights to be good play advocates and practitioners." Dr. Michaelis has taught recreation courses at California State Polytechnic University, Pamona, San Francisco State University, and other institutions. Michealis is Professor Emeritus at San Francisco State University and was also Chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Dr. Michaelis was a board member, lead trainer, and early pioneer of the original New Games Foundation. He served on the Board of Directors, Advocacy Board, and the National Training Staff of the New Games Foundation from 1975 to 1984 and conducted many training workshops and play events in muliple cities. More information on the New Games Foundation can be found in the New Games Foundation Series Scope and Content Note in the Collection Inventory section of the finding aid.

Dr. Michaelis has authored many articles for national and international publications about youth programs and development, adventure playgrounds, cooperative play, playful teaching practices, family leisure education and more. He was a contributor to The New Games Book andMore New Games, co-authored The Leaders Handbook, Learning Leadership Skills by Facilitating Fun, Games, Play, and Positive Interaction, and authored many other books.

Dr. Michaelis founded Children-Together, was a member of The Association for the Study of Play [TASP], served on the Board of Directors for the American Adventure Playground Association, and is a former member of the International Play Association USA, California School-Age Consortium, and the California Park and Recreation Society.