Despite an increased need for qualified and certified teachers, teacher preparation programs like the physical education teacher education (PETE) program are diminishing. This study focused on nine PETE programs existing within higher education institutions in this selected area within the Southern region of the United States. The purpose of this study was to address the gap of knowledge within the field of leadership in higher education by focusing upon how leaders of physical education teacher education sustain their programs. In this basic qualitative research study, the experiences of leaders within higher education that have sustainable PETE programs were explored, examined, and described. This led to a better understanding of what leadership experiences may explain the evolution and transformation of physical education teacher education in the selected area of the Southern region of the United States. The researcher used purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling techniques that produced a sample size of 13 leaders who had been involved with these nine universities that have sustained their PETE programs. The leaders included an assistant dean, chairpersons, advisors, coordinators and directors. Data was analyzed and coded into six themes to provide a deeper understanding of the evolution through the experiences of these PETE leaders. An examination of the lived experiences of these leaders shows that the future of sustainable PETE programs will be dependent upon transformational leaders who also possess the emotional contagion to persevere through turbulent times. According to the leaders, successful PETE programs will be measured by the following: completers, exam success, strategic planning based upon trends and generational factors of students, and commitment to aligning with the university vision. Leaders referenced the following when measuring the success of their programs: making great hires, serving the community, keeping optimism and hope at the forefront of the charge, collaborating with common goals, and being ready to change with the times without losing PETE's identity and purpose. Realizing the leaders' perspectives about their experiences helped to more deeply understand PETE's evolution, and the findings are significant for any higher education institute's (HEI) program that is small, specialized, or has experienced downsizing. It is evident from the findings that these leaders possessed the traits of a determined, and passionate transformational leader with an intense emotional attachment toward their PETE programs. The findings of this study also exposed the need for higher-level leaders to nurture and professionally develop educational leaders with transformational and emotional leadership traits so that they may be successful leaders within their institutions. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]