Women's Athletics

Not only were women encouraged to socialize with their peers and follow rules through handbooks, but incoming freshmen women were also given the Women's Athletic Association handbook to motivate them to participate in different sports that women previously had participated in.

These sports included:

Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Rifle, Baseball, Hiking and Tennis.

In the "Foreward" message to the freshmen, the Women's Athletic Association really tried to encourage the incoming freshmen to participate in sports. Here is what that "Foreward" message said:

"We have tried to make this little handbook symbolic of the aims and ideals of the W.A.A.

         As the Women's Athletic Association aims to extend interest in athletics to as many girls as possible, as it hopes to create a desire for healthful exercise, and all-around physical development--that development which means an alert mind as well as a strong body--so this handbook will strive to carry those aims to newcomers and keep them ever fresh in the minds of the members.

             THE EDITING COMMITTEE

                        Wilma Leach

                        Margaret Watt

                        Helen Moser, Chairman."

      From the 1940s until 1973, the Women's Recreation Associtaion was responsible for coordination and administration of athletics for women, both intramurals and intercollegiate.

      Oregon State had one of the largest women's athletics programs in the northwest, and during the 1960s about a third of the women students were involved in WRA activities. In addition to basketball and field hockey, women's sports included volleyball, softball, tennis, golf, swimming, bowling, archery, track, and gymnastics. Most of these were intramural teams; however, the Northwest Field Hockey Association was formed in 1938 and Oregon State women competed with field hockey teams from Oregon and Washington schools.