History of Alverno College Athletics

Track

Athletics and physical education (PE) have always played an important role at Alverno College.
Physical education was a requirement for degree completion at Alverno from 1948 through 1976. Two
years of PE were required until 1965; after that, one year of PE was deemed sufficient.

From 1948 through 1973, every student was automatically a member of the Alverno Athletic
Association (AAA), which in later years became the Alverno Recreation Club. Sister Margaret Mary Martin, chair of
the physical education department, was the moderator of the AAA, and the first awards banquet was held in 1956.

Volleyball

At various times, students participated in badminton, ping pong, volleyball,

table tennis, basketball, track, softball throw, basketball throw, tobogganing,
ice skating, roller skating, swimming, and bowling. “Play days” and “stunt
nights” included comedy sketches, fashion shows and dance demonstrations.
The Annual Spring Field Day was the culmination of athletic endeavors.
Intramural competition was a constant, often with the postulants playing the lay
students.