Post Author: Jacob Houser
Despite the inequalities for women’s athletics at the varsity level, intramural sports were a way for all men and women to compete in healthy athletics at Madison College/ James Madison University. By looking at the Bluestone yearbook entries, it seems clear that both men’s and women’s intramural sports promoted healthy competition for all, an ideology associated with the AIAW and women’s sports. Funding also seemed equal for the intramural sports for both genders, because of the similar sports advertised.
At Madison, both men and women had governing bodies for their intramural sports. Women’s intramural sports were organized by the Women’s Recreation Association (W.R.A.) in the 1970s. According to the Bluestone yearbook, “The purpose of the women’s recreation association is to afford recreational opportunities for all students and to develop a high degree of sportsmanship.” (Bluestone, 66). Sports sponsored by the association included basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, bowling, golf, badminton, ping pong, bridge, soccer, and flag football.
Men’s intramural sports were governed by the Men’s Athletic Association (M.A.A.) in the 1970s. According to the Bluestone yearbook, “The men’s athletic association provided a broad spectrum of athletic events in which every male student could participate… The purpose of the M.A.A. is to offer as many varied intramural activities as possible on a competitive basis to a growing male population on campus” (Bluestone, 69). A complete list of sports was not provided, but pictures show participation in soccer, flag football, and wrestling.
When Dr. Ronald Carrier came to Madison College, he was determined to make progress in the school in terms of equality for men and women as well as between the races. He was also a big supporter of athletics at all levels (Carrier, 2013). He explained this support was likely because of his ideals of a healthy lifestyle through sport and competition for all. It is interesting to see that, at least at the intramural level, everyone was viewed as an equal. The equality of intramural sports shows level of progressiveness at Madison College, prior to the Title IX legislation.
Works Cited:
Bluestone. Harrisonburg: James Madison University, 1972.
Carrier, Ronald “Class Lecture,” History 337 Local History Workshop, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, March 13, 2013.