Athletics


Athletic Entertainment Programme, Farmington State Normal School, February 21, 1902

Athletic Entertainment Programme, Farmington State Normal School, February 21, 1902
Item 69220   info
Mantor Library at UMF

The first Athletics Entertainment was held at F.S.N.S. on February 21, 1902. It included drills for hoops, basketball, dumb-bells, and wands as well as singing and dancing.

The 1902 girls' and boys' basketball teams were coached by Miss Ella Merrill. Miss Carolyn Stone worked with the calisthenics performers.

The boys of the Model Grammar School played an exhibition game, having been coached by the Normal School boys.

Soangetaha Campfire Girls, Farmington State Normal School, 1915

Soangetaha Campfire Girls, Farmington State Normal School, 1915
Item 68681   info
Mantor Library at UMF

In spring 1915, the first Camp Fire girls group (Soangetaha) at Farmington State Normal School organized with 20 members, under the guidance of faculty member Carolyn Stone.

According to "The Farmington Normal" of June 1915, the organization’s purpose was to train girls to "greater efficiency,...help them appreciate the beauty in nature, and…promote social life." Its watchword was Wohelo (Work, Health and Love).

Girls received symbolic beads that were worn with the ceremonial costume when they completed work. Ranks included Wood Gatherer, Fire Maker, and Torch Bearer.

The law of the Camp Fire was: Seek beauty, Give service, Pursue knowledge, Be trustworthy, Hold on to health, Glorify work and Be happy.

Pierpole Campfire, Farmington State Normal School, 1922

Pierpole Campfire, Farmington State Normal School, 1922
Item 68447   info
Mantor Library at UMF

The second Camp Fire group at F.S.N.S., Pierpole, was organized in fall 1915. They were infamous for their cookouts and "weenie roasts" at the slate quarry. This is the Pierpole group enjoying a cookout.

The Pierpoles also made leather napkins rings and purses and divinity fudge to sell at the annual Christian Association fair. Their meeting guests included Miss Porter, who taught them about writing business letters, telegrams and making out money orders, and Captain Blake, the school's janitor, who showed them how to tie standard knots to earn their nature lore honors.

Outing Club, Farmington State Normal School, ca. 1923

Outing Club, Farmington State Normal School, ca. 1923
Item 69119   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Outdoor activity and the promotion of good health was important at F.S.N.S. A Walking Club was formed in 1921 and the students tracked the number of hours they spent outdoors as a friendly competition. This is a group at Clearwater Lake around 1923.

Evening walks and weekend hikes were popular, with Mt. Blue and Tumbledown Mountain as regular destinations. In the early 1930s, hiking activities sponsored by the school's Athletic Association allowed the girls to earn points towards a letter jacket.

Women did not have as many opportunities for organized sports as men at that time and hiking gave them a chance to be recognized as athletes.

Snowshoeing, Farmington, 1922

Snowshoeing, Farmington, 1922
Item 68453   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Students at the Farmington State Normal School enjoyed many outdoor activities during the winter as well. Snowshoeing was popular in the 1920s.

This photo shows three F.S.N.S. pals Margaret Trethewey, Thelma "Jerry" Lawrence, and Jane Carson out for a bit of fun on their snowshoes.

Baseball Team, Farmington State Normal School, 1923

Baseball Team, Farmington State Normal School, 1923
Item 68352   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Baseball was played informally at Farmington State Normal School since its early years. However, because of low enrollment by men, faculty often stepped in to field a team of players. This is the 1923 team, and one of the players is Errol Dearborn, who was teaching physics, chemistry, and math at F.S.N.S. at the time.

The team members are: (front row) Justin Nunan, Vinal Merrill, Errol Dearborn. Middle row: Irving Libby, Vernon Boynton, Arthur Coggins and Philip Tibbetts. Back Row: Robert Sturke, Coburn Tripp, and Charles Preble.

Boys' Basketball Team, Farmington State Normal School, 1928

Boys' Basketball Team, Farmington State Normal School, 1928
Item 68353   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Basketball was first played at F.S.N.S. in 1902. It was one of four sports played by Farmington State Normal School since the start of its more formal athletics program in 1923. Baseball, track, and football were the other mens' sports in the 1920s.

This is the Boys' Basketball team of 1928.

Football team, Farmington State Normal School, 1927

Football team, Farmington State Normal School, 1927
Item 68370   info
Mantor Library at UMF

The first football team at F.S.N.S. was formed in 1926. Although not well-equipped, they played with great enthusiasm. This 1927 team was coached by Lester Starbird, assisted by Errol Dearborn. The majority of the games were played against high schools, but they did play the Bates College freshman team.

Team members include: (row 1) Edgar Green, Irving Todd, Royden Billings, Everett Page (Capt.), Victor Gould and Stephen Tompkins. Row 2: Norman Wilson, H. Leslie Brown, Earl McCrellis, Castanous Smalley, Paul Davis, Glen Robinson, and Norman Preo. Row 3: Errol Dearborn (Asst. Coach), Arthur Sanborn, Harry Knowlen, Willis P. Porter, Philip H. Parker and Lester Starbird (Coach).

Basketball scorecard, Farmington State Normal School, 1927

Basketball scorecard, Farmington State Normal School, 1927
Item 68451   info
Mantor Library at UMF

In 1927, Farmington State Normal School and Gorham Normal School were friendly athletic rivals. This scorecard is from a February 12, 1927 game which was preceded by a parade and music by the school's orchestra. The final score of the game was Farmington 39, Gorham 30.

After the game, the F.S.N.S. Dramatic Club presented a comedy, "Not Such a Goose" to raise funds for the school's Athletic Association.

First Year basketball team, Farmington State Normal School, 1928

First Year basketball team, Farmington State Normal School, 1928
Item 68356   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Athletics for girls at Farmington State Normal School were in their infancy in the 1920s. Team sports were played as intramurals between dormitories and classes. In 1928, greater effort was made to provide a year-round program for women. Activities included basketball, tennis, field hockey, hiking, and volleyball.

This is the First Year (freshmen) team of 1928-1929. Its members included: (standing) Eleanor Cushing, Ruth Clapp, Marion Allen (physical education instructor), [?] Johnson, Betty Libby. Sitting: Marjory Holbrook, Helen Robinson, team Captain Doris "Dolly" Dunphy, and Bernice Newton.

Field Hockey team, Farmington State Normal School, 1929

Field Hockey team, Farmington State Normal School, 1929
Item 68450   info
Mantor Library at UMF

Farmington State Normal School's first foray into the sport of field hockey was in 1928. It was an intramural sport organized under the guidance of Miss Marion Allen, the school's physical education instructor. Teams consisted of girls from the same dorm or classes. This photo shows the girls outfitted and ready to go!

Gymnastics Program, Farmington State Normal School, 1927

Gymnastics Program, Farmington State Normal School, 1927
Item 68448   info
Mantor Library at UMF

In the 1920s, some activities organized by Farmington State Normal School students included the children in the Training School. On March 12, 1927, the Training School held it's first gymnastics exhibition which included children from grades I, II, and III. The last number, the Virginia Reel, was danced by students in straw hats and bandanas - on roller skates!

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