From the Archives

The Normal Echo- Dec. 1912

Dear Friends,

The Normal Echo began publication in 1909. Unlike The Echo, The Normal Echo was more of a literary magazine than it was a newspaper or news magazine. It was 6.5 x 9.75 inches in size and published short stories, poems and humorous anecdotes, editorials, information about Arkansas State Normal School (ASNS) and was written primarily by ASNS students with an occasional contributing faculty writer.

In the December 1912 edition of The Normal Echo, there was news about the Normal’s four literary societies, three stories about Normal sports, one article on education, four poems and short stories and one editorial.

The editorial was expressing concern about the low graduation rate of Normal students. According to The Normal Echo, “More than twelve hundred students have been enrolled in the State Normal since its establishment, and their value to the communities into which they have gone as teachers, or to which they have returned for the time, is beyond estimate. It is to be regretted that, of this number, only ninety attended sufficiently long to complete the course and receive their diplomas, the number now in attendance being excepted.”

The editorial pointed out the great demand for properly trained teachers in Arkansas and that some states do not permit the employment of teachers who have not graduated from a normal school. The rest of the editorial discussed the importance of literary societies, President Howard Taft and how nobly he had accepted defeat, and that the ASNS students were looking forward to Thanksgiving.

One of the more interesting short stories published in The Normal Echo was “An Odd Marriage” authored by Ethel Smith, a freshman in 1912. I made a PDF out of Ms. Smith’s story and it is attached to this email. I hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely,

Jimmy

The Normal Echo, December 1912 (2)

Posted in: Blog on October 17, 2017

Hendrix College-Longtime Friend to UCA

Dear Friends,

When the employees of the UCA Archives were putting together the display materials for the Chavares Block/Ryan Henderson Collection, we were amazed at the size and the number of signatures on the Hendrix condolence banner. It reminded me of the close friendship that UCA and Hendrix College have enjoyed over the years. Even though the two schools were staunch rivals in sports for many decades, they also worked closely together.

The following was taken from “Hendrix College A Centennial History” by James E. Lester Jr., “The creation of a normal school in Conway led to an institutional rivalry between Hendrix and Arkansas State Normal School. Both schools vied for local support as well as supremacy in athletics and other intercollegiate competition. Initially, however, the Hendrix community welcomed the arrival of the new school. In October, 10, 1908 the Mirror assured the faculty and students of the Normal School that ‘Hendrix entertains the best of good will towards the Arkansas State Normal…We do not believe that the life of your school means the death of ours, the existence of both can only work to the upbuilding of Conway and education…the promise for the future is bright. We wish you success.'” The Hendrix College Mirror was a literary magazine.

The relationship between UCA’s second president, B.W. Torreyson and Hendrix College president, Dr. John Hugh Reynolds, was very close. Torreyson and Reynolds were famous for playing practical jokes on one another. In one instance, at the meeting of the Conway Rotary Club where both men were members, the following took place – but a bit of background information will help.

Torreyson, a native of Hillsboro, Virginia, was 61 years old when he became president of Arkansas State Normal School. In 1923, when Dr. Reynolds made his comments, Torreyson was 67 years of age. According to Ted Worley, author of “A History of Arkansas State Teachers College,” the following took place in 1923. “Rotary was the scene of much good-natured jousting between Torreyson and Dr. John Hugh Reynolds, president of Hendrix. A typical exchange of compliments was that of 1923 when Dr. Reynolds remarked that Virginia men matured very late in life and therefore he had not abandoned hope for Torreyson.”

In 1959, UCA’s fifth president, Silas D. Snow, was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Hendrix College. Hendrix College has been a good friend to UCA and this friendship continued to be exhibited in the large 4′ x 12′ condolence banner that Hendrix students, faculty and staff created for UCA after the October 26, 2008 murders of Ryan Henderson and Chavares Block. This was a very kind gesture and UCA is indeed grateful to Hendrix for being so thoughtful.

There are approximately 500 names on the banner and some students left words of encouragement. A few of those comments were captured on camera and are attached to this email. This large banner will continue to be preserved, along with the Northern Illinois University banner, and with other materials in the Block/Henderson Collection in the UCA Archives.

Sincerely,

Jimmy

Posted in: Blog on October 13, 2017

Bears Vs. Razorbacks-Former Opponents in Sports

Dear Friends,

Most people are unaware that the Arkansas Razorbacks and the UCA Bears once competed in football, baseball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. For the men’s teams, the last time Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas – UCA) and the University of Arkansas (U of A) at Fayetteville competed in a sporting event; Harry Truman was president, a loaf of bread cost 14 cents, the average new car cost $1,250 and gasoline was 16 cents a gallon. The year was 1948 and the last game played between the Bears and the Razorbacks was baseball.

Competition between women’s teams has been more recent. The UCA women’s basketball team played the University of Arkansas women’s team during the 1977-1978 season. The Sugar Bears lost a close game to the U of A, 59 to 65. UCA and the U of A did not schedule each other every year, but from 1921 to 1948 and then again in 1978 they met in athletic competition, a total of 27 times in four different team sports. It should be mentioned that the 1977-1978 UCA Women’s Basketball Team was in its second year of competition, since 1932. There was a long hiatus in UCA Women’s Basketball that began in 1932 and ended in 1976.

Admittedly, the Bears did not compete very well with the Razorbacks in football and lost all three games. When the first game between the two clubs was played in 1923, the Bears were treated very kindly by the University of Arkansas Boosters Club. After the Bears arrived in Fayetteville they were treated to a reception in their honor and a dance was held for them on Saturday night. The Bears’ coach, Guy “Big Dan” Estes, was very familiar with the University of Arkansas and was a former Arkansas Razorback football star who played for Coach Hugo Bezdek. During his coaching career Bezdek, who was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, served as head coach for the University of Arkansas, University of Oregon and Penn State University. He was admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

It must be noted that UCA’s former cross-town rival, Hendrix College, tied the Razorbacks twice, according to former Hendrix Warrior basketball coach, Cliff Garrison. In 1920 the Hendrix Bulldogs, under Coach Charles R. Woody, fought the Razorbacks to a 0-0 tie. In 1932 Hendrix, now coached by legendary Coach Ivan Grove, tied the Razorbacks again with the same score, 0-0.

While UCA did not win any games against the Razorbacks in football, it was a different story in baseball. The Bears and Razorbacks observed a home and home series and played a total of 17 games, according to Ted Worley, former UCA history professor.

The Bears beat the Razorbacks in baseball the first time they played in 1921, with the Bears winning 4 to 2. The Bears swept all three games with the Razorbacks in 1947, and beat Arkansas 5-4, 10-9, and 9-5.

The baseball series between the Bears and Razorbacks is tied, with the Bears winning 7 games and the Razorbacks winning 7 games and 3 games ending in a tie. While a draw or a tie is certainly unusual in baseball, it could happen under the right circumstances. After the next season (1948) ended, the Razorbacks were never again on UCA’s schedule.

The Bears and Razorbacks also played men’s basketball against one another. The U of A dominated UCA in this sport winning all six games played between the two schools. The scores and year of the basketball games are as follows: 1924 – UA 62 UCA 28; 1924 – UA 34 UCA 14; 1933-1934 – UA 54 UCA 30; 1935-1936 – UA 42 UCA 38; 1935-1936 – UA 66 UCA 27; and 1946-1947 – UA 59 UCA 39.

Currently, UCA and the U of A do not engage in athletic competition with one another. However, in recent years they have played some of the same opponents in at least one sport; Kansas State University, Missouri State University, Tennessee Tech University, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Wichita State University, University of Kentucky, University of Oklahoma, University of Missouri, Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State University, Texas State University and the University of Texas at Arlington.

When this author asked about the U of A’s policy regarding in-state opponents, Kevin Trainor, who in 2012 was the Associate Athletic Director of Public Relations for the University of Arkansas, stated in an e-mail, “It has been a long-standing policy of the University of Arkansas Athletic Department to not schedule competitions in team sports against other institutions within the state. The practice began with former coach and athletic director John Barnhill and has been continued in the years following its introduction. The policy has enabled fans from all around the state to be united in their support for the University of Arkansas while also supporting the other intercollegiate athletic programs within Arkansas.”

Steve East, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, said that UCA’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams compete in events where Arkansas might be competing. It is also possible for UCA and Arkansas to compete in golf tournaments and track and field. But there is no direct competition between UCA and the University of Arkansas on a one-on-one team vs. team basis.
Author’s Note: Sources for this article were The Echo, the Scroll, the Log Cabin Democrat, UCASports.com record books for football, baseball, and men’s & women’s basketball that are compiled and maintained by Steve East, “A History of the Arkansas State Teachers College” by Ted Worley, University of Arkansas Office of Institutional Research, Penn State University website, Coach Cliff Garrison, Kevin Trainor and Steve East.

The 1947 Bear Baseball Team swept the Arkansas Razorbacks in a three-game series.

Posted in: Blog on October 9, 2017

The Normal Woods

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I have written anything about the Normal Woods, or early student entertainment, and I came across some information from 100 years ago and thought you might like reading about it.

The Normal Woods were south of UCA off Donaghey and is the area just across Dave Ward Drive. Business buildings are now located in that area, but in 1917 it was heavily wooded. Students, faculty, and staff made use of the Normal Woods on a regular basis. Walking was the way in which most people traveled to the woods, and they would usually walk in groups.

The Normal Woods was the scene of many bonfires. Bonfires provided the light for other activities such as plays, choral singing groups, initiations for literary societies and later for sororities and fraternities. In 1917, it was a magical and special place for students to go, and get away from school work.

According to The Normal Echo of October 26, 1917, “An initiation service rendered in the woods around our campfire leaves in our minds pleasant memories of our formal entrance into the society, that will follow us through the time when our school days are over. It is a pleasure to have with us representatives of our sisters and brothers from the other societies of the Normal School. We greatly appreciate the presence of those members of the faculty whose duties allow them to respond to our invitation.”

A women’s literary society, the Nikatima Literary Society, conducted their initiation for new members in the Normal Woods. There were only three buildings on campus at that time, the first building that was later called the E.E. Cordrey Science Building, Doyne Hall – residence hall for women, and the Green Building – the model school building. But, the Normal Woods was deemed at the time a more appropriate setting for the initiation ceremony.

According to The Normal Echo, “Therefore, last Friday afternoon when the bell rang for dismissal, all Nikatima girls, some members of the faculty and presidents of other organizations in the school, threw aside the cares and responsibilities of the classroom and donned their sporting togs to enjoy an hour of recreation in the woods. When we reached the grove which we call the “Normal Woods,” we found a campfire laid and ready for business. Merrymaking began immediately. No one was allowed to stay out of the games. Mr. Short and Mr. Denney were kept busy and Mr. Coolidge, our new acquisition to the faculty, was introduced to the delights of Normal Autumnal festivities.”

After the induction of the new members into the Nikatima Literary Society, songs were sung and a charge was given by Miss Mattie Brown, the president of Nikatima and the first person to graduate from Arkansas State Normal School (now the University of Central Arkansas) with a four-year degree.

According to The Normal Echo, “The Nikatima song, ‘Sisters we stand Nikatima!’ yells for the new girls, visitors and faculty, the program ended with the singing of our beloved ‘Normal School.’ Nineteen girls were formally made Nikatimas and we believe that they are strong and enthusiastic and ready to live up to our ideals.”

The Normal School song that the women sang was sung to the tune of “Maryland, My Maryland,” and was written by UCA’s first president, J.J. Doyne. It first appeared in The Normal Echo of May – June 1912. The three verses are as follows:

Thou art my Alma Mater dear,