Arkansas Tech University was established by law in 1909 as a state Agricultural school, Second District. It was one of four state agricultural schools mandated at that time. The history of athletic competition began in November of 1910 with football. This fostered the start of the tradition of Tech sports. In November 1919, John Tucker gave the Tech “Wonderboys” their name.
In the fall of 1933, Professor Truman Mcever was put in charge of the first detailed plan for intramural at Arkansas Tech University. The first form of intramural activity in the fall was softball. As the weather became cooler, a series of touch football games where scheduled which lasted until basketball season. The arrival of spring saw the beginning of softball along with baseball and some track. In the fall of 1935, Henry Hudson, newly appointed IM director announced “that all males at Tech who were physically able, were to participate in the program. In addition to football, basketball, and baseball, other popular sports such as golf, tennis, swimming, boxing, volleyball, and softball were also included.
Most Female athletic participation however, at this time, was limited to intramural sports. In 1935, the APC Bulletin had no intercollegiate sports for women even mentioned but did say that women could participate on campus in basketball, volleyball, baseball, track, tennis, archery, and folk and clog dancing.
In 1954-55, an intramural program, open to all students, was also a part of the overall athletic program. In 1966, Coach Dobson reset the guidelines for the intramural program and reorganized. The sports offered were archery, basketball, bowling, horseshoes, flag football, softball, golf, rope climbing, tennis, track, ping-pong, and volleyball. Approximately 1100-1200 students participated at this time. The program was based on a point system to determine the overall winner at the end of the semester. The person with the most points received a trophy and the winning team received T-shirts.
In 1967-68, the program went to sports that were offered a month at a time. These were organized from October – April. In 1983, ten sports were offered with the general approach for the program by the Physical Education Department was to plan programs around sports that students revealed interests in.
Male directors after Coach Dopson were Rudy Parks, Dr. Travis Arterbury, and Donald L. Dempsey, of which had the longest tenure. As of 1989-90, Dempsey reported the major sports were basketball, flag football, racquetball, golf, volleyball, and softball. Some 700-800 male students participated in these activates.
In 1984, Martha N. Dowell reported during the 14 years that she had been the Director of Women’s Intramurals she tried many different sports. However the Coeds interest had been drawn most to basketball, volleyball, and softball. In 1990, Dr. Dowell reported 200-300 women participating. During this period T-shirts were still given to the winners of various sports.
In the fall of 1995, Pete Kelly took over both men’s and women’s intramural programs. At this time, the intramural office was physically housed in the Physical Education Department, but moved under the Division of Student Services. This allowed the office of Student Services to provide more services, contributing to both higher retention of students and a better quality of life. A total of 650 participants competed in the 1995-96 academic year.
In 1996-97, SGA purchased 10 new mountain bikes to further expand the program. With new activates being offered, such as midnight bowling and a golf scramble, participation grew to an all-time high of 1600.
During 1998-99, the intramural program went without a fulltime director. Chris Jones held the senior fellow status. Despite growing pains, the program grew with participants and spectators.
With another transition taking place, intramurals found itself with a new director, Dana Froud. Dana became the first female Coordinator for both Men’s and women’s Recreational Sports. An important step was taken during Dana’s tenure, which was only a year, Extramurals became a reality. Several teams competed in the State Flag Football Tournament.
In September 2000, Kelley Roach took over the Tech Recreational Sports Program. Following in Dana Froud’s footsteps, Roach continued with the extramural fever and in November 2000 took a men’s flag football team to state and regional tournaments. In the spring of 2001, the men and women’s 5 on 5 basketball champions made a trip to Wichita, Kansas. Over the next few years participation grew with new activities being offered such as Chasin’ the Moon 5K and NIRSA Day. In the spring of 2002, a forward step was made in the future with the women’s 5 on 5 basketball. The “No Limit” team won the Tech champion title, state and regional champion and finished 5th in the nation. This entitled them to a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. During the same trip, the fitness champions of Tech made the trip to compete at the national level. “The Squad” finished 10th in the nation for their efforts.
The 2002-2003 year brought with it an extra exciting extramural fever. The first ever national championship was bestowed on "Kami Kaze", a male softball team. It also brought forth another trip to Orlando, but this time with male and female basketball and fitness teams.
In the spring of 2004, Tech hosted the state 5 on 5 basketball tournament.
Although many championships have been won since the beginning, there are still the first to occur. In the fall of 2004, The Angels won the first female regional flag football championship. With this came a trip to the national tournament in New Orleans, LA. Another first was that of Shawn Caldwell who received All-American status as a flag football official. Also, Jason keys received the honor of All-American as a Basketball official.
In the fall of 2005, Tech hosted the AIRSA State Flag Football Tournament (10th Annual). The Rollers, Tech FFB IM Champ'05, finished 2nd in the men's division. The 2006 – 2007 academic year was one for big change. After a 6 year reign by former Director Kelly Roach. Brian Henderson was hired to take the Intramural and Recreational sports program to new heights. Within Brian’s first month as the new Director, the St. Leo Saints won Tech’s 5 on 5 basketball championship and then went on to win the regional tournament hosted by the University of Missouri, qualifying them for Nationals at The Ohio State University. Mary Buford was selected Regional Tournament MVP and won a 32” plasma T.V. How exciting!!!!!!! This was the first of many exciting things to come with Tech Rec. Sports under the reign of Brian. In the summer of 2007, the addition of two graduate assistants were added to help complete the staff of Tech Rec. Sports. A new office was also built in the old common’s club house to be the future home for the Intramural & Recreational Sports Staff. The slogan that was adopted in 2000, “Where Memories are Made,” has shown to be a very true statement. History will never repeat itself for the Tech Recreational Sports program. Each student that is in search of a “Memory” will only enhance it.