Gymnastics, men's
Decline
By the turn of the century, interest in gymnastics at the University declined. Few students enrolled in gymnastics in 1902, and in 1903 further concerns were expressed over outdated equipment and the lack of a full time instructor. Gymnastics at the Academy, meanwhile, flourished a while longer. Instruction in gymnastics had been provided at the Academy since the renovation of its gymnasium in 1892, and students were strongly urged to attend class. The Male Academy continued to hold annual gymnastics demonstrations until 1911.
Organized team sports such as rugby football, hockey, basketball, and to a lesser extent track and field, had become very popular, and eventually superseded gymnastics as the primary conduit for physical exercise among male students at Mount Allison. In October 1913, following the reconstruction of Lingley Hall as the new University Gymnasium, former athlete, prominent Allisonian and chemistry professor Harold Eugene Bigelow suggested that mandatory physical training of one year or more be provided for Mount Allison students, but this did not happen before or during WWI.
Mount Allison Male Academy students in 'pose,' ca. 1908
Home and Topics - Galleries - Timeline - Maps
Copyright - Footnotes - Credits - Technical Information - Feedback
© 2008 Mount Allison University Archives
Sackville, New Brunswick
All Rights Reserved
Maintained by the Mount Allison University Archives
This project was funded by the Marjorie Young Bell Endowment Fund