Development of intercollegiate athletics for women in Wisconsin

Abstract

It was the purpose of this study to show the growth of athletic competition for college women in the state of Wisconsin from 1900 - 1973. During this time period, women's athletics in Wisconsin were influenced by the social pressures and economic conditions that were occurring not only in the state, but on the national level as well. College women attending the Wisconsin Normal Schools experienced the popularity of athletic competition in the early 1900' s. Then, when competition for women became unacceptable because of the exploitation of women athletes, college women participated in intramural programs, in which there was no competition with other schools. In the 1960's, there was a renewed interest for more extensive athletic programs for college women, partly because of the need for highly skilled women athletes to participate in the Olympic Games. In 1970, concerned physical educators various Wisconsin colleges met to discuss the possibility of organizing these schools into a conference. As a result of these meetings, the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was organized to meet the need of the expanding athletic programs for women at the collegiate level. Thirteen schools became members of the conference and, in 1971, the first athletic conference for college women in Wisconsin became a reality.