RecWell Through the Years

Under the provisions of the Federal Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, the university was founded in 1863 to provide instruction to Massachusetts citizens in "agricultural, mechanical, and military arts." Accordingly, the university was initially named the Massachusetts Agricultural College.

in 1867, Massachusetts Agricultural College matriculated its first class, and intra-class baseball competition took place this first year, soon followed by other sports (Sullivan, 2006).

Earliest record of club competition.  MAC Crew Team defeated Harvard and Brown at first regatta held on the Connecticut River (Sullivan, 2006).

Drill Hall opens as the first building on campus expressly built for physical activities. This was a barn-line open space with a wood floor originally designed for military-style drills (Military service was mandatory for the first MAC students), and became the main gymnasium for nearly 50 years, and was the first home for varsity basketball (Miller & Page, 2013).

Fraternities began informal Intramural competition in several sports, awarding plaques for some of those sports.) (source: Collegian microfilms, no exact citation available presently)

The Inter-Fraternity Council established the first Inter-Fraternity Trophy 1930 (Collegian, November 12, 1930) to consolidate their sports activities. Before this, plaques were given for some individual sports (other sports were left out). The Cup, by, contrast used a Points system to award competition in both Sports (Soccer (Fall), Basketball (Winter), and Baseball / Tennis / Relay Race (Spring)), The Spring 1931 Baseball League saw the first appearance of a Faculty Intramural team, and a “Non-Fraternity” student team.

Physical Education Building opened as the new primary Men’s athletic building on campus (renamed in 1949 after Curry S. Hicks, the first Phys Ed Director) (Miller & Page, 2013). The building included a large multipurpose space (basketball courts, and a wooden indoor track for recreation, Phys Ed and varsity competition as well as the College's first pool and a weight room. The Drill Hall became the center of recreational life for women (“Co-Ed”) students (previously all their activities were outdoors). Massachusetts Agricultural College became Massachusetts State College . The major forms of sport on campus in this era were Varsity, Inter-class, and Interfraternity (Miller & Page, 2013).

First mention of the Women’s Athletic Association, organized by Mrs. Curry Hicks to provide recreational, intramural, and social activities for “co-ed” UMass students. Inter-sorority competition took place in athletics, drama, and scholarship with a bronze statuette being awarded to the overall winner. Intramural competitions included Soccer and Field Hockey. (Collegian, 11/9/33). A trophy was established to be awarded to the sorority or other “Co-Ed” group that won the most points in athletics, dramatics, and scholarship during the school year, on a points system (Collegian, 11/22/33). (The WAA is mentioned in the Collegian through 5/6/59; it is not known when it was dissolved; possibly when women’s and co-rec sports were added to the main Intramural competition in the early 1970s.) Intramural Bowling was replaced by Volleyball for winter 1933 (Collegian, 1/11/33). The Stockbridge School ran their own Intramural Baseball league in 1933 (Collegian, 1/11/33).

The current Intramural Sports program was launched in the Fall of 1946 when the Intra-fraternity Intramural competition was brought under the stewardship of the Athletics Department.  One year later, Dormitory and Commuter divisions were added, completing the basic structure of the program as it currently exists.  

Massachusetts State College becomes the University of Massachusetts. Sid Kaufmann returns to direct the Intramural program. This year, an Intramural council was established and competition was opened to dormitory and commuter (Independent) teams. Bowling was added, and touch football, volleyball, basketball, and softball were joined. BB & VB had 22 teams. SB 18. (Collegian, 10/17/47).

UMass began an annual Extramural competition between the UMass and UNH Intramural football champions.

Opening of new women’s physical education facility (W.O.P.E., now named Totman), to replace the Drill Hall which burned in 1958.  This facility dwarfed earlier athletic buildings on campus, providing a modern pool, fitness facilities, basketball courts (which also served as an auditorium with stage house), archery range, and classrooms. (Miller & Page, 2013). Re-establishment of the “Recreation Club” after lying dormant for two years (Collegian, 11/2/59). The opening of W. O. P. E. leads the WAA to inaugurate swimming events and establish the first Co-Ed night in their program (Collegian, 10/16/59). The Intramural program established a Points system to determine the overall campus-wide annual champion.  Totman Pool closes permanently and Recreation hours are moved to Curry Hicks Pool for the first time in many years.

Boyden Gymnasium opened as the primary men’s facility. Even larger than Totman, Boyden included six basketball courts, 1 auxiliary court, physiology labs, weight training facilities, swimming pool, bowling alley, mat room, squash courts, classrooms and offices. The Collegian claimed that Boyden was the largest physical education “Cage” building in the country at the time. (Intramural Handbook, 1965; Miller & Page, 1963; Collegian, 2/12/64, 9/22/64. (No indication when the Division was elevated to a “School”.

Major expansion of the Intramural program. Chet Gladchuck appointed director of Intramurals, and increases sport offerings. Participation increased 200% with the opening of Boyden. The program began compiling and publishing detailed statistics next to league standings to help in the voting for the all-star teams. 14 sports, 15,928 participations, 4,701 participants, 384 teams, 1,351 games. The University President and the dean of the School of Physical Education performed the ceremonial kick-off ceremony. Intramural Activities Office assumes responsibility for maintenance of facilities during open recreational times (Intramural Handbook, 1965).

"Free Play" Activities (Open Recreation) brought under the administration of the Intramural Activities Program.

Formal launching of the Women’s Intramural sports program (Intramural Handbook, 1971-72).

Physical education classes become optional. Intramurals and recreational activities grew rapidly as did the campus and student population. (Intramural Activities Annual Reports, 1970s.)

In 1974, Campus Activities requested assistance from the Athletics Department in the advising and funding of seven sport clubs. The Intramurals Activities office begins sponsoring said clubs. Sport clubs under this model peaked with 12 clubs. In 2015, the clubs were transferred to Student Engagement & Leadership (formerly Campus Activities). 

Last remnants of the campus points IM system eliminated due to lack of interest. The dormitory league system had vanished by this point as well. (Internal records)

“Intramural Activities” becomes “Intramural and Recreational Sports” 

“Intramural and Recreational Sports” becomes “Campus Recreation & Sport Clubs.” 

General Physical Education program disbanded, ending PE classes. This leads to expansion of open recreation hours.

Fitness program launches with the establishment of group fitness class offerings.

Musco field lights replaces the 1949 incandescent lights at Boyden field.

130,000 Square Foot Recreation Center opens. Features include a 3-court gymnasium, multiple weight and fitness areas, 4 activity rooms and an indoor 1/10 mile jogging track. Recreation participation quadruples. Three residential wellness centers run by Residential life closed. We no longer used the 2-court Totman gymnasium for open recreation play or the Totman fitness Center.

 The Campus Recreation program moves from the Athletic Department to the division of Student Affairs and Campus Life. 

Opening of the new Recreation turf fields:  234,000 square feet (5.3 acres), including 4 regulation-sized flag football fields or 3 recreation sized soccer fields, or two 300 ft. softball fields.

After merging with the Center for Health Promotion, the Campus Recreation Department is renamed to Department of Recreation & Wellbeing, (RecWell) and branding identity updated.

Fall 2023: With the opening of the Ascend bouldering facility (later renamed Rockwell), the Adventure program is formally launched.  RockWell opened on the first floor of the Fieldstone residential building (345 Lincoln Avenue; entrance on Mass Avenue). The bouldering gym offers climbs up to 14 feet, designed for all skill levels. 

The space features a lounge area with a fireplace and an outdoor courtyard with fire pits, creating a welcoming environment for relaxation and socializing. It's a new gathering spot on campus for climbers and friends alike.

February 2024: RecWell completed a comprehensive Recreation and Wellbeing Facilities Master Plan led by Sasaki Associates, Inc.

Alpine Towers constructed a challenge course, consisting of low elements, a team-based odyssey course and a self-guided skypark.  The skypark at the time was only the second one of its kind constructed on a college campus.