What Was The Role Of Popular Sports In The 1940's

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Shelby, Sam, Patrick 1940’s B Kinesiology 101 Boise State University began as Boise Junior College with 78 students and 8 full time faculty members. Middleton Barnwell, an Episcopalian Bishop is credited as the founding father of our institution. He firmly believed that the city of Boise needed a university to educate the youth. Saint Margaret’s Hall provided the accommodations at one dollar per school year. Dorothy Atkinson was elected as the first Dean and another woman, Ruth Payne became the first director of the women’s physical education program. Unfortunately the school opened during a period known as the “Great Depression” and what little funding Boise Junior College received had exhausted rather quickly forcing Barnwell to resign. A local merchant, cognizant of the schools’ importance to the community, founded BJC Inc. to raise money for the cause. Eugene Chaffee (director of sports) was elected president in 1936. By 1940 further financial prosperity enabled Chaffee to relocate the school to where it stands today. (Keener, 1962). 1A. During the time period of 1940 through 1949 the popular sports at Boise Junior College for men included football, baseball, basketball, and tennis. Women…show more content…
The presence of women’s sport received minimal exposure from local media. However, situations have changed dramatically since the W.A.A.’s inception. Currently women’s athletic teams at Boise State consists of basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The modern day BSU offers a dynamic selection and opportunity for student-athletes. Men’s football has received national attention over the past decade and could perhaps influence recruitment into other sports so that the entire university might one day join a more competitive
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