Swimming Section

FWC Celebrates 50 Years of Swimming

By Kay Hartung

FWC Newsletter Fall 2004

In the spring of 1954 the Margaret Bell Pool for women opened and is now part of the Central Campus Recreation Building (CCRB).  At the time Dr. Margaret Bell was chairman of Physical Education for Women. In March 1954, the Faculty Women’s Club wrote to Dr. Bell requesting an assigned time at the new pool for a group of 65 women who had signed up for swimming. Dr. Bell replied that she would try to accommodate the group.

The FWC swim section began during the 1954-55 academic year.  Initially the group supplied its own lifeguard and swam from 9-10 a.m. three times a week.  We all wore black knit bathing suits that were supplied by the University and issued each time we swam. Bathing caps were mandatory. After a few years the University began supplying the lifeguard.

When the North Campus Recreation Building (NCRB) opened, we were offered additional Tuesday and Thursday swims. We expanded to two swim sections for about two years. For the 1977-78 academic year the University requested that we move completely to NCRB so that the campus location could accommodate more student swim classes. This seemed appropriate since NCRB was strictly for recreational purposes.  We were given 5 days a week during the 9-10 am. Period, and this continues to be our private hour.