Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sports collection, 1900-2019

Summary

Abstract:
A wide assortment of records pertaining to men's and women's athletic teams at Rensselaer.
Extent:
20 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Sports collection, #AC 31.  Institute Archives and Special Collections, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institue.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection Inventory: Sports Collection

This collection (AC 31) contains a wide variety of materials documenting athletic teams at Rensselaer. While most of the records pertain to varsity sports, there is also a smattering of materials related to intramural and club sports.

Biographical / historical:

Athletics at Rensselaer date back to at least the 1860s when the first teams appeared in the student yearbook, the Transit.  The 1867 Transit listed baseball, boat, and gymnastic clubs, although the school lacked indoor athletic facilities until the first gym was completed in 1887.

By the late 19th century, intercollegiate competition had begun, but team schedules remained very limited until after World War II.  As the number of female students increased, the opportunity for women's teams arose, and by the 21st century women competed on eleven varsity teams while men played a dozen varsity sports.  The Institute's many indoor and outdoor facilities increasingly allowed students to participate in numerous club and intramural sports.

Note written by

Acquisition information:
Much of the Sports Collection has come from Rensselaer's Sports Information Office. However, many items have been donated or purchased to fill gaps in the collection.
Processing information:

Processed by T.A. Gobert, Alyssa J. Pasquale, Julie Dietz, Michael Villardi, June 2006 and August 2010.

Arrangement:

Organized in four series:  I. General Information, II. Co-Ed Sports, III. Women's Sports, and  IV. Men's Sports.  Individual teams are arranged alphabetically within Series II through IV.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Preferred citation:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Sports collection, #AC 31.  Institute Archives and Special Collections, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institue.

Location of this collection:
Folsom Library
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 Eighth St
Troy, NY 12180, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
518-276-8340