Currently displayed on the 4th floor of Old North
100+ Years of Women's Athletics at UCO
During the early 20th century female students engaged in play and games as a form of physical activity. It was not lady-like to exert oneself, girls should aim to glisten and glow not sweat. Back then the only needed benefit of physical activity for women was to develop poise, self-confidence and beauty. Competitive sports for women were frowned upon as a threat to female fertility and femininity.
After a century of fighting for gender equality on many fronts and the passage of new legislation toward the end of the 20th century, the playing field finally began to level out. While there is still room for growth and improvement, UCO has continued to develop and evolve women’s athletics on campus. Many of Central's noted female athletes have gone on to win regional conference and national championships. Go Lady Bronchos!!!
Cheerleading, 1905 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's basketball field, 1908 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's basketball, 1911 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's basketball, 1911 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's track meet, ca. 1913-1919 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Carrie Wantland, 1920 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Zora Smith, 1928 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's field hockey, ca. 1920-1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's softball, ca. 1920s-1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's tennis, ca. 1920s-1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's archery, ca. 1920s-1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Emma Plunkett, ca. 1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's swim team, ca. 1930s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's volleyball team, 1936 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's Recreation Association basketball, 1937 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's softball, 1939 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's tennis, ca. 1930s-1940s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Female sport group portrait, ca. 1930s-1940s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's softball, ca. 1930s-1940s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's tumbling, 1940s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's field hockey, ca. 1954 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's swimming, ca. 1950s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's volleyball, ca. 1950s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's softball, ca. 1950s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's golf, 1961 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's golf, 1961 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's track and field, 1967 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's track and field, 1967 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's fencing, 1968 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Virginia Peters, 1968 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Cheerleading, 1970s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's field hockey, nd (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's field hockey, 1980s (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's cross country, 2013 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's rowing, 2015 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's softball, 2015 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's tennis, 2015 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's volleyball, 2016 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Women's cheer and pom, 2017 (UCO Photograph Collection)
Curator
Kristi Kohl, Archives Specialist
First Floor Gallery Wall
