Starting as an intramural sports program to now the Department of Recreational Sports, we have witnessed and supported women as they have made their mark in recreation. As we embark on the 50th year since women were permitted to enroll at Texas A&M University, we are honored to reflect back upon our history and the positive changes women have made throughout Rec Sports over the years.

1870s

The year 1876 marks the opening of a new school in Texas: Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (TAMC). TAMC operates as a military training school with only white men permitted to enroll. 

1920s

As TAMC grows in size, more students are eager to connect with other Aggies. Searching for a way to alleviate stress and make new friends, the student body begins to host sports competitions between Aggies. These sports are a hit on campus, with nearly the entire student body participating.

In 1926, TAMC hires Walter L. Penberthy to lead this effort. Penberthy devotes his time to the development of a formal program for these sports competitions, and they become known as “Intramural Sports”. Over the next several decades, Intramural Sports would provide an opportunity for Aggies to connect with each other through various sports: football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and many more were popular options amongst students. 

1960s

The year 1963 brought forth significant change to TAMC. Under the leadership of General James Earl Rudder, TAMC became an established university, prompting a change in name. The former school would begin to be recognized as Texas A&M University (TAMU). 

The same year marks another milestone in the progress towards equality. The motion to allow women and African-Americans to enroll on a limited basis as degree-seeking students passes. Over the next several years, more women would enroll on campus, matching the number of men and eventually surpassing it. 

1970s

As more women enroll in the university, Intramural Sports, now under the leadership of Dennis Corrington, expands in 1972 to include women’s leagues for a select number of sports. In 1973, after noting a year of successful and increasing participation from women in Intramural Sports, Corrington pushes the program to expand to include both co-educational and women’s leagues for a select number of sports. As more Aggies enroll and Intramural Sports increases in size, the program opens its employment opportunities for officials to both men and women. 

Apart from intracollegiate sports, the 1970s saw the development of sport clubs begin, offering opportunities for Aggies to compete against opponents from other schools. Both men and women are encouraged to participate. 

1980s

During the 1980s, Intramural Sports underwent a change in title to Intramural Sports-Rec Sports (IM-Rec Sports). The new program is led by Corrington with the goal to encourage Aggies to be active through their various offerings. In 1985, at the same time as these changes, the Memorial Student Center comes to the decision to dissolve the Outdoor Recreation Committee. 

Then graduate student Patsy Kott refused to allow the committee to be lost to history. She  dedicated her time to ensuring there would still be opportunities for Aggies to get outside and connect with the outdoors. She accomplished this through piloting the migration of outdoor programming to IM-Rec Sports. Recognizing her passion and appreciation for the outdoors and TAMU, Kott is hired by Corrington in the role of Coordinator for Outdoor Recreation and Coordinator of Individual and Dual Sports. 

Under IM-Rec Sports, Kott further developed the new program, Texas A&M Outdoors (TAMU Outdoors). Students were able to enroll in the TAMU Outdoors Leadership Program, rent out equipment, register for day and overnight trips, and stop by for advice on planning a trip. Towards the end of the decade, as IM-Rec Sports would become established as the Texas A&M Department of Recreational Sports (Rec Sports), TAMU Outdoors would be renamed as Outdoor Adventures. 

1990s

In 1995, Texas A&M Department of Recreational Sports (Rec Sports) opened its flagship facility, the Student Recreation Center. This facility would be home to Aquatics, Fitness (now known as Fitness & Wellness), Intramural Sports, Outdoor Adventures, Sport Clubs, and Strength & Conditioning. All students become members of the facility and are welcome to participate in a variety of activities. 

2010s

After nearly 30 years of service, Kott retires from her position as Outdoor Adventures Director. During her time at Rec Sports, she created the foundation of Outdoor Adventures we recognize today, including the Indoor Climbing Facility, Bouldering Wall, Outdoor Trips, and Rental Center. Shortly after her retirement, Kott passed away after a battle with cancer in 2015. In her legacy, she has an endowment created known as the Patsy Kott Outdoor Adventures Scholarship. This scholarship would benefit student employees within Outdoor Adventures.

Following the establishment of a permanent flagship facility, DeAun Woosley is hired for the role of Fitness & Programming Director. During her time as a director, the implementation of Group RecXercise, Speciality Classes, BootCamps, and other offerings are created with the goal to provide an option to recreate for all Aggies. Woosley, after over two decades of service, retires from her position in 2017.   

Modern Day

Women are deeply intertwined with the history of Rec Sports and have played and continue to play an integral part in our success as a department. In the past 50 years since women were permitted to enroll at TAMU, Rec Sports has seen major changes. We have expanded to over half-a-million square feet of recreational facilities, dedicated intramural sports fields, and welcomed over a million entries into our facilities annually. We are excited to celebrate the history of Women’s History Month at Rec Sports and continue to make history.