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Caity Healy<\/strong> | Managing Editor<\/span><\/p>\n If one were to look at Western\u2019s varsity athletics in 2020, they\u2019d see six sports offered specifically for women. What might not be so easily seen is the history that went into getting to this point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While it\u2019s commonplace to now look at schools and see an equal offering of varsity-level athletics for men and women \u2014 largely due to Title IX \u2014 it wasn\u2019t always this way. While ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ was going through its many name changes between the 1920s to the 1970s, it was also going through a large change in the way women were provided access to athletics on campus \u2014 through the rise and fall of the Women\u2019s Athletic Association.<\/span><\/p>\n The first mention of the WAA at Oregon State Normal School came in 1928 through the yearbook, then titled \u201cThe Norm.\u201d By this point, some sports existed for women on campus already. In fact, the women\u2019s basketball team dates back to the beginning of the century. But, it was one of the only sports provided on a varsity-level for women. Therefore the WAA was established to, \u201cpromote further interest in athletics for women and good sportsmanship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n With the WAA came more options for women. The athletic offerings varied over the years, but throughout its time on campus, some sports to choose from included baseball, hiking, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, folk dancing, archery, horseshoes, tumbling, volleyball and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When it first began, any female student was able to participate. But, by 1930, the WAA made some changes to the rules governing the organization: students had to earn 50 points to remain eligible as a member of this association.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The point system, as explained in the 1930 \u201cThe Norm,\u201d rewarded points to women based on which sport they chose to participate in, and based on how frequently they participated. For instance, if one made \u201cclass team\u201d for basketball, they\u2019d earn 100 points. If they were \u201csecond class\u201d in basketball, they earned 75 points. If one made varsity in tennis, they\u2019d earn 500 points. If they hiked 100 miles on the hiking team, they\u2019d earn 100 points. To remain eligible as a member, women had to earn 50 points; to become eligible for the Women\u2019s Order of the \u201cO\u201d \u2014 which was a way to recognize outstanding athletes \u2014 they had to earn 250. And finally, if they were to earn 500 points, they would get a sweater.<\/span><\/p>\n Mentionings of the WAA changed abruptly in the 1950s, as it turned from Women\u2019s Athletics Association to Women\u2019s Recreation Association. At this point, it seemed they were no longer considered to be school teams, but rather, intramural teams. There also was no longer a point system; according to the 1950 yearbook \u201cThe Grove,\u201d \u201cNo exceptional skill or talent is required for these activities and all girls are encouraged to participate.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From that point on, the mentions of WRA were lessened by the year. While still a part of campus, it moved from being included with athletics to being grouped with clubs and organizations. Through the 1950s and 1960s, women\u2019s varsity athletic teams did exist on campus \u2014 the focus, however, tended to lie on men\u2019s athletics.<\/span><\/p>\n The last time WRA is explicitly mentioned in the archives is in the year 1970. After that, it became \u201cWomen\u2019s Athletics,\u201d and was considered to be on the same level as men\u2019s sports. This, perhaps, coincides with the passing of Title IX in 1972.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,\u201d states Title IX under the U.S. Department of Education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While there\u2019s no factual proof that Title IX resulted in the death of WRA, there is certainly a reason to speculate. WAA\/WRA existed because women wanted to play sports, but they weren\u2019t given the means to play at the level that their male counterparts were. Through Title IX, there was no need for this organization anymore. Women athletics were legally mandated to be offered at the same level as men\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/files\/2020\/02\/History-1024x836.jpg\")
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