History of the Division of Recreational Sports
1916Berry Whitaker is hired by Athletic Director L. Theo Bellmont to start a men’s intramural program at Texas – the third such college or university program in the United States. 1918Anna Hiss comes to Texas from Boston University as an instructor in Physical Training for Women. She is named the director in 1921. 1921On May 21 the first annual 'T' Night is held honoring coeds who earned a minimum of 100 points by participating in "athletic" activities. Women who earned the most points won the coveted 'T' Blanket. 1931The first annual Fite Nite is held in Gregory Gymnasium and becomes immensely popular with students, faculty and the Austin community. 1933Women’s Intramurals separates from the University of Texas Sports Association (clubs) and starts a formal program organized around sororities, dorms and independent groups. 1937Anna Hiss’ focus on the way a young woman carries herself leads to the annual Posture Contest. This highly popular event ended following the 1965-66 year. 1947With a gift from the Interfraternity Council, lights are added to the intramural fields located at Speedway and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. 1948Whitaker hires Albert Sonny Rooker as his assistant director. Rooker is instrumental in forming the University of Texas Sports Association for Men or Club Sports or UTSAM. 1954Betty A. Thompson arrives on campus and begins her 34-year journey at UT in the Department of Physical Activity for Women. 1957Anna Hiss retires after 39 years of shaping a recreational program for women. 1960Berry M. Whitaker retires after 54 years serving the students of The University of Texas. Today, the sports complex at 51st and Guadalupe streets are named after Mr. Whitaker. Sonny Rooker is named Director of Men’s Intramurals. 1962A new annex is added to Gregory Gym adding 4 basketball/volleyball courts, 13 handball courts, a gymnastics room and lockers. 1967The original on-campus intramural fields move to 51st and Guadalupe streets. The complex features 8 multipurpose fields and 40 tennis courts. Softball is the first sport to play. 1968Betty A. Thompson is named chairperson of the newly-named Department of Required Physical Education for Women as well as director of Women’s Intramurals. 1972After nearly a decade of debate, the men’s and women’s intramural programs are united to form one department. Betty A. Thompson is named its director. 1973The intramural programs formally becomes a division called the Division of Intramural Sports and Recreation. 1974Betty A. Thompson is named director of the newly-renamed Division of Recreational Sports becoming the first woman to hold such a position at a major college or university. 1974Tom Dison joins the staff starting in September of 1974. 1975The Outdoor Recreation Program is launched and Co-rec intramurals becomes a formalized program. 1980Whitaker Fields and on-campus Clark Field undergo a $3.2M renovation funded by the university. 1985The first on campus student referendum calling for a student fee to fund the construction of the new Recreational Sports Center passes. Student body president Rodney Schlosser champions this historic legislative bill. 1988Tom Dison is named director of Recreational Sports. 1989Less than six months after a grave illness forces her to retire at age 60, Betty A. Thompson passes away on February 21, 1989. 1990The Recreational Sports Center, built to accommodate the recreational needs of a growing campus, opens on October 11, 1990. 1993Led by student-body president Howard Nirken, UT students approve a referendum to renovate Gregory Gym. Rising costs eliminate the renovation of the natatorium. 1997On November 12, 1997, a renovated Gregory Gym opens its doors to masses of students and guests revealing a modern, airy setting uniting the heritage and tradition of old Gregory with a functional state-of-the-art design. 1999Students pass a third referendum in the spring to renovate the Gregory Gymnasium natatorium and add an outdoor aquatic complex. 2005On November 18, 2005, the Gregory Gymnasium Aquatic Complex officially opens realizing a dream that originated more than a decade before. 2005A new Instructional Program is launched. 2006The first endowed scholarship for student employees is established by Renè Garza, ’74, ‘77, and Michael Carnes. This leads to 12 endowments which award over $25K annually to outstanding student employees. 2007The Recreational Sports Leadership Team consisting of Faculty, staff and alumni is established. Joe Bill Watkins, ’65, ‘68, is named the chair. 2011On November 16, 2011, a renovated Clark Field opens becoming the first building project funded primarily through private donations. Named the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field after former regent Scott Caven, Jr. and his wife, Vivien, the center stands in memory of the Caven’s son, Scotty. 2011A Civic Engagement Program launches. 2015Whitaker Fields closes for renovation with a scheduled re-opening in the spring of 2017. 2016-17The Division of Recreational Sports celebrates its 100th anniversary throughout the year. |
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- 2015
- 2016-17