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 is 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

1905 women’s sports is still primarily an intramural and inter-class event. “T” pins, letter sweaters, and a “Texas blanket” are awarded to those 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 is fulfilled by Anna Hiss in 1931.

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. is composed 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 a 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 updates its constitution. The constitution confirms that the role of UTSA is to encourage interest in sports and related activities among women at Texas. 

1942-  Ruth McAtee, President of the UTSA wrote Betty Gilbert, the Chairwoman of the Athletic Federation of College Women conference at Wellesly College, informing the chairwoman how many UTSA delegates would attend the conference meeting. On a war footing, the American Federation of College Women still held a conference in Wellesley College. 

The cost was $10 per delegate plus $1.25 for the banquet.  Many demonstrations, outdoor supper, recreation, and a tour of Boston were part of the agenda.  Courses were taught in first aid, home nursing, morse code, child care, nutrition, knitting, and extracurricular activities.    The Rifle Club flourishes during WWII.

1947-   The Athletic Federation of College Women’s constitution was revised.  The purpose of the federation 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.