Willie Kerr Foster papers

This collection consists of a history of gymnastics competition at the University of Minnesota, as prepared by Willie Foster. Running all through the early part of the history are biting comments on the chairman of the Faculty Committee on Athletics, Professor James Paige, and his controversial relationship to athletic activities. In this connection, the case of John L. Gleason is discussed at some length (folder 2). The deteriorating situation in athletics finally resulted, in 1921-1922, in the "Dawn of a New Era" (folder 3), a reorganizational measure in which both football coach Dr. Henry L. Williams, and gymnastics director Dr. Louis J. Cooke left the University staff.

A number of biographies, based on original material supplied by the biographee, but written from Dr. Foster's point of view, are included as part of his gymnastics history. In "The Dr. Cooke that I knew" (folder 1) is the story of the origin of the Little Brown Jug Trophy. Other biographies include a sketch of' Jennings Litzenberg (folder 1); an autobiography of Dr. Foster (folder 2); biographies of Fred Luehring and Herbert Watson (folder 3); sketches of Ralph Piper, H. O. (Fritz) Crisler, and Frank G. McCormick (folder 5); and a short sketch of Maurice Ostrander (folder 6). In folder 5, covering the period 1937/1938-1941/1942, is a good amount of material on Newton (Newt) Loken, Minnesota’s outstanding gymnast.

The major part of the history, is devoted to the gymnastic team. As such it is a factual record of each seasons victories and defeats, with individuals and team scores often included. Histories of the Northwest Gymnastic Society and the Western Intercollegiate Gymnastic Association (WIGA) are given in folders 2 and 3, while other records of the WIGA., 1901-1950, including the individual rosters of contenders, are contained in folder 7. In folder 8 are biographical forms for all Minnesota gym team alumni who could be contacted; folder 9 contains rather incomplete records of W. I. G. A. wrestling meets, 1909-l925.

Also of interest is the story of the University Circus, 1902/1903, 1903/1904, and 1912/1913 (folders 1-2), which gives an interesting outline of that early student activity.