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OPINION
While I taught, I continually heard that there was too much going into sports, and not enough in the class room. The Physical Education department always seemed to get more favor. I now have seen another side! Women sports are nothing new, but somewhere in the 1930’s things died, about a whole generation. A hundred years ago Women sports was well, alive and thriving, Even in places like Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, Victor even Pueblo women, not teenage girls, were actively participating in sports. Strangely enough the favored sport was BASKETBALL. There have been some interesting variations over the years, like differing numbers of players from three to seven, and generally girls had six on a team. The town of Fountain held their own tournaments for children and adults. Fountain was home to several state champion women and girls teams a hundred years ago. Just what killed off most of the community competitions was likely the depression. The schools had girl teams into the 1930’s. Adult sports centered around baseball, but there does not seem to be many women playing. Some mines hosted teams, and they would play at fields all over the district. There was strong rivalries between the district and teams from Denver, Colorado Springs, Falcon and Fountain. Football was not quite as popular as the more strenuous Rugby. Even Cricket teams made the rounds all over the state. Now wait, I am talking ADULT teams mainly here, not school teams. A few schools hosted high school teams, and the district did well in competition with other districts. Our present leagues can be traced back a hundred years. The Gold miners even traveled to the Silver camp at Aspen, or the coal camps like Trinidad. It was a great outlet for individuals before the days of television, radio, computers, and even sound movies. Nearly every town had a ball diamond, or grassy field for cricket, rugby, soccer, or football. It was not even just a Sunday afternoon activity. Even in the summer and fall evening games were held until dark ended the games. Teams even traveled by train taking a carload of interested fans on away trips. In the old newspapers it is clear that even the women’s sports were well supported. |
