Patricia Murphy Florence scrapbook, 1960-1962

Patricia Murphy Florence attended the University of Utah, where she was a member of the Ski Team between 1960 and 1962. The University of Utah’s ski team began competing in 1936-37 without official support of the University athletic department. Though the team did fairly well, it wasn’t until university funding was received in 1945 that allowed the skiers to participate in intercollegiate competitions. During the 1945-46 season, the Utes ski team secured their first intercollegiate win at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, placing first, second, third, and fourth in the meet. The women’s ski team was also very talented, and took first place sweep at Berthoud Pass, Colorado in 1950. Popularity for the sport continued to grow on campus, and by the mid 1950s the University put its full support behind the ski team. Since then, the Ski Team has won numerous National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships and multiple members of both the women’s and men’s teams have competed in the Olympics.