Susquehanna University - 1895 to 1939

The first recorded baseball game at the Missionary Institute was in 1881. The first interscholastic game was in 1887. The first baseball field on campus was constructed in the mid-1890s.The first University baseball team was formed in 1901.

Susquehanna University's first football team was formed in 1892. In 1932, the University had its first undefeated football team under the direction of Coach Bill Ullery and his assistant Herb Snell. Pictured is the 1932 football team.

The Fresh-Soph Tie Up was a competition between the male freshmen and sophomore students. It evolved in 1913 from the freshmen and sophomore " flag scrap". This event was held on the campus athletic field. The goal was to see how many from each class could tie each other up hand to foot. Whichever class tied up the most opponents was the winner. This event attracted many spectators. By the 1960s, tug of war replaced the "tie-up" event. By 1968 tug-of war became the freshmen and sophomore Olympics. This is a postcard of the 1913 event.

Susquehanna University Men's Track Team was started in the Spring of 1901. The first coach was J.S. Blank. The team's first "contest" was held at the campus athletic field on June 19, 1901. Its first intercollegiate track meet was held May 30, 1902. Some of the events at the first track event were the 100 yard dash, long and high jump, pole vault and shot put.

Women's athletic activity was progressive in the 1930s as shown by the formation of the Women's Athletic Association in 1930 to coordinate competitive sports for women, by increased intramural contests, and by an institutional encouragement of women's athletics. The featured photo shows women students in their gym uniforms during archery target practice. The building in the background is the new Alumni Gymnasium.