The author argues that physical education has gradually declined in the second half of the twentieth century. Can the field ever hope to become vital to the provision of healthful, developmental physical activity for "all" of the country's population (whether they be students or members of the general public)? The question is answered affirmatively IF AND ONLY IF the present field moves to make truly significant changes in its present mode of operation. Such change involves bold action to produce true specialists in "physical activity education" based the knowledge available to the profession from an undergirding discipline titled (e.g.) "developmental physical activity". For optimum development of the profession, the coaching of competitive sport should be transferred out of the department. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)