Recreational sports records

Collection

Identifier: ua-00021

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection documents the history of recreational (intramural/extramural) sports at the University of Minnesota. Materials include correspondence, newsletters, administrative papers, mailing lists, long range planning reports, clippings, physical education curriculum, and photographs. A collection of game rules from various sports as well as handbooks and programs are also included in the records.

Dates

1928-2006
Majority of material found in 1960-1983

Creator

University of Minnesota. Department of Recreational Sports (Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection materials in English

Use of Materials

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Historical Note

In 1881 the first unofficial sports club was organized at the University of Minnesota. The "archery club" was followed by a chess club in 1887, a bike club, and men's and women's basketball clubs. The intramural department was established in 1922 and the first sports director, W.R. Smith, was hired in 1924. The department began to flourish in the 1970s after Pat Mueller became director of the department. Unlike clubs of the past, these new clubs were designated as official and the department was given a budget, mostly supported by student service fees. In 1975 the name of the department was changed from intramurals-extramurals to recreational sports.