The Recreational Sports Department provides recreational and educational opportunities for the Oregon State University (OSU) community, primarily students, and oversees recreational facilities on the Corvallis campus, including the Dixon Recreation Center and Stevens Natatorium, McAlexander Fieldhouse, and intramural sports fields.
A study of the administration and oversight of recreational programs and facilities was conducted in the early 1970s. Based on a recommendation of this study, a Board of Physical Recreation was established in January 1973 and the process was initiated to fund recreation programs and facilities with student fees. Recreational Sports celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1998.
The Dixon Recreation Center opened in 1975 and was dedicated in memory of James V. Dixon and Jeannette Brauns Dixon; the Stevens Natatorium was completed in 1992. The recreation center was extensively remodeled and expanded in 2004. McAlexander Fieldhouse and the outdoor sports fields were remodeled and upgraded in 2010-2011.
Sports clubs are recognized student organizations that provide OSU students the opportunity to compete in various sports against other schools' teams and community groups in the Pacific Northwest.
The Recreational Sports Department Records document recreational sports and fitness programs offered at Oregon State University, primarily for students. The records consists of correspondence and subject files; annual reports, handbooks, and manuals; committee records; sports club files and budget requests; buildings and facilities records; and photographs, videotapes, and sound recordings. The materials also include a guestbook, a photograph album and scrapbook, newspaper clippings, and informational materials.
The committee records document the governing boards for recreational sports (Board of Physical Education; Board of Physical Recreation; and Board of Recreational Sports) from the early 1970s through the 1990s; the Outdoor Advisory Committee; and the Sports Club Committee. Records of the University Task Force on Recreation Facilities and Programs in 1971-1972 are also included.
Sports club files comprise a substantial component of the collection and provide information on both club sports for men and women. The following sports are represented: badminton, bowling, crew, cricket, cross country and track, cycling, dodgeball, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, kendo, lacrosse, pistol, polo, racquetball, resistance training, rifle, rodeo, roller hockey, rugby, sailing, karate, skiing anbd snowboarding, soccer, squash, table tennis tennis, triathlon, ultimate disc, volleyball, and water polo.
The buildings and facilities records document the construction of Stevens Natatorium, the Indoor Climbing Center and additions to Dixon Recreation Center. Materials pertaining to outdoor recreation programs, facility use surveys, and special programs such as camps and training workshops are included in the records.
The collection includes about 9000 images (2500 prints, 2000 negatives, and 4500 color slides). The photographs depict a variety of indoor activities at the Dixon Recreation Center, sports clubs teams and events, and outdoor trips organized by the Outdoor Recreation Program. Images of events and workshops are included as well as a photograph album documenting the construction of and grand opening ceremony for the Stevens Natatorium. Digital photographs (on 13 compact discs) documenting Footsteps Program (new student orientation) outings in 2005-2006 are part of the collection. The videotapes consist of 12 VHS videotapes and 2 digital video cassettes. They include footage of the opening of the Indoor Climbing Center, Footsteps program trips, lectures on legal liabilities, and an outing on the McKenzie River. The sound recordings pertain to the Indoor Climbing Center and the Outdoor Recreation Program.
Collection is open for research.
Recreational Sports Department Records (RG 240), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
This collection is not fully processed; this guide is preliminary.
The records were transferred to the Archives in 2010.
Additions to the collection are expected.
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