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1899-1900 

Pearl Norvell started the physical education department as the physical training instructor hired to develop organized team sports. Basketball was her specialty.   The first basketball scrimmage was in January 1900 in the Old Main building. 

1903-1904  The Women’s building was completed and sports were organized into a single team competing against high school teams such as Belton High. 

1904 Louise Wright- Director of Physical Training

1904 Louise Wright replaces Pearl Norvell as Director of Physical Training. She helps organize a student-run Women’s Athletic Association to coordinate all UT women’s sports.

She was instrumental in starting the tradition of awarding letters to Tennis players in 1904 and basketball players in 1906.

Texas women host their first out-of-town competition. The Texan promotes the game as a contest between Baylor and Texas, but the game is actually against Belton High School. Texas wins 12-6.   

Physical training at U.T. becomes a requirement for all women students.

Eunice Aden 1905 – 1921

In 1905, women’s sports was still primarily an intramural and inter-class event. “T” pins, letter sweaters, and a “Texas blanket” are awarded to students who achieve the highest levels of participation based on a point system, which is considered a significant achievement for female athletes on campus.

1906 “Letters” are approved for Women’s basketball

1907 The Texas women’s basketball team plays Its First Intercollegiate Game Against Southwestern University On Feb. 18th, 1907. Texas Loses 19-18.

Eunice’s dream of a Women’s gymnasium was fulfilled by Anna Hiss in 1931.

1910– Women’s sports exited intercollegiate competition choosing instead to focus on intramural competition. . 

1917

1922 The Women’s Athletic Association W.A.A. had a “Cactus Dance” to fund Longhorn women’s sports.

1925- All U.T. women’s sports were still part of the Department of Physical Education for Women

1926 – A carnival under the guidance of Dr. Williams was established to pay off debt and to help the students interested in physical education as a profession. The Carnival cleared $18.00!!! And was considered a success. After some men students were upset that women were dancing with women, a committee was formed and chose to “allow it.”

THE POINT SYSTEM

W.A.A. (Woman’s Athletic Association) and UTSA (University of Texas Sports Association).

1927- The W.A.A. was comprised of a President and various boards to facilitate competition in intramural sports. The first draft page of the first W.A.A. constitutions is below.

Around 1933 the Women decided that the Woman’s Athletic Association name did not reflect the organization’s mission because the word “athletic” was regarded as a word used for men’s sports. The document discussing this need for a name change is listed below.

Women’s Budget and Funding

Documents reflecting the growth of women’s sports at UT Austin

1931-1932 The Rifle Club was organized, and 20 students joined. The range was in the basement of the north gym next to the archery space.  Grace Hagy

1933- U.T.S.A. council members met at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, to discuss U.T. women’s sports. Helen Cline, U.T.S.A. President.

Anna Hiss writes U.T. President Benedict requesting that women’s intramurals under the direction of W.A.A. and the U.T.S.A. be placed under the Department of Physical Training. This year Miss Hiss reported that Women’s intramurals and the sports clubs would be separated, and the U.T.S.A. would represent the club sports.  The tee club sold golf balls to raise money.  1/3 of the women students at Texas belong to the W.A.A.

1934- U.T.S. A. met at Camp Kiva, Medina Lake, Texas, to discuss how to raise money to defray expenses.

1938 – the Texas Recreation Federation of College women’s constitution was written.   T.R.F.C.W.  The purpose of the Federation was to increase the sports interest and activities for women in Texas Colleges.

1939-  Anna Hiss has a mutiny with three members resigning from the executive committee.  -Leah Greg, Mary McKee, and Shiela O’Gara.  Margaret Hodgins tendered her resignation as the sponsor of the Turtle Club.

1940- U.T.S.A. promotes the Texas Recreational Federation of College Women to the high school physical education directors.
A seating chart for the “T” night banquet on May 8th, 1940. Clubs and intramurals were all represented in the charts.

1941 – U.T.S.A. has updated its constitution, which reaffirms the organization’s commitment to promoting interest in sports and related activities among women in Texas.

In 1942, Ruth McAtee, the President of U.T.S.A., wrote to Betty Gilbert, the Chairwoman of the Athletic Federation of College Women conference at Wellesley College, to inform her about the number of U.T.S.A. delegates who would attend the upcoming conference. Despite the challenges posed by World War II, the American Federation of College Women held a conference at Wellesley College.

The cost of attending the conference was $10 per delegate, plus an additional $1.25 for the banquet. The agenda included various activities such as demonstrations, an outdoor supper, recreational events, and a tour of Boston. Participants could also take courses in first aid, home nursing, Morse code, child care, nutrition, knitting, and other extracurricular activities. During this time, the Rifle Club also flourished amidst the war.

1947-   The Athletic Federation of College Women’s constitution was revised.  The federation’s purpose was to further athletic interests and activities for women according to the highest and soundest standards of sports and recreation.  Qualifying members must have a W.A.A. written constitution with student officers.

1948 – The Texas Recreation Federation of College women’s budget included $80.00 annually for a central office secretary, $10.00 for supplies, and $10.00 for clerical work.

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