A League of Their Own

Women were first allowed to play tennis and basketball a year or so after arriving. Tennis was considered a more “genteel” sport, and thus appropriate for women. They much prefered basketball, though. By 1897, there were four women’s teams on campus. Supposedly, all of the women on campus were on teams that year. That fall, the women joined teams based on class, and held contests with neighboring schools. Many worried the game was too rough for women, and rules were frequently challenged to make it less physical. The games were still tough despite this, and many minor injuries and sprains were sustained.

Though tennis was not the women’s favorite sport, it was still popular--popular enough for the college to have its own courts! Teams were based off class year. Teams played in an elimination-style tournament. The four highest-scoring women from each team proceeded to the finals. These four women played against each other to determine the champion, and the four women of each team played for the doubles champions.

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By the 1920s, women were playing more than just basketball and tennis. Other sports included hockey, swimming, track, and baseball.

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