Finding aid prepared by Sarah Marshall This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit February 10, 2016 University Archives, Texas State University 01/10/2012 Alkek Library Room 580 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas, 78666 UnivArchives@txstate.edu
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical/Historical note... 4... 4 Arrangement note...4 Administrative Information...4 Controlled Access Headings...5 Collection Inventory... 6 Photographs...6 Sweaters... 6 Awards... 6 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository University Archives, Texas State University Title Linnea Smith collection of Oscar Strahan memorabilia Date [inclusive] 1907-1977 Extent 1.0 Linear feet One records box Location note Materials may be stored off-site. Advance notice may be required for use. Language English Preferred Citation note [Item name, date.] Series 90.200.Faculty.Linnea Smith Collection of Oscar Strahan Memorabilia. University Archives, Texas State University. - Page 3 -
Biographical/Historical note Oscar Strahan was hired in 1919 as the first Athletic Director at Southwest Texas State Normal College after graduating from Drake College in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to serving forty-one years as Athletic Director, he also coached basketball for six years, football for sixteen years, and track for thirtynine years. His 1921 Bobcat football team was the first at the school to go undefeated and the 1959-1960 basketball team (coached by Milton Jowers) won the national championship. Strahan retired in 1961, and he died in 1978 in Hays County, Texas. This collection includes photographs, sweaters, and awards. All belonged to Oscar Strahan and reflect his lengthy athletic career first as an athlete and then as a coach and Athletic Director at Southwest Texas State University. Arrangement note Memorabilia was processed into three series: Series I: Photographs, 1907-1971; Series II: Sweaters, Undated; Series III: Awards, 1970-1977. Administrative Information Publication Information University Archives, Texas State University 01/10/2012 Conditions Governing Access note Open to researchers without restriction. - Page 4 -
Immediate Source of Acquisition note Donated by Linnea Smith in 2007. Linnea Smith collection of Oscar Strahan memorabilia Controlled Access Headings Corporate Name(s) Southwest Texas State College. Southwest Texas State Normal College. Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Southwest Texas State University. Personal Name(s) Oscar Strahan - Page 5 -
Photographs Collection Inventory Photographs 1907-1971 Box 1 Folder 1-3 Sixteen black and white photos of the 1919-1920 Bobcat Basketball team, reunion photos of the team from 1971, photos of coaches, and photos of the gym (includes two color photos). One 8 by 10 framed and matted black and white photo unidentified but presumably of Strahan; frame is badly damaged on the top right corner, and both frame and glass are dirty. Photograph was deframed for preservation purposes. 15.5 by 13 black and white photo in frame; matting is discolored and photo is yellowed and fading; photo is of football team with a ball marked DHS 07 in the foreground; no other markings visible; frame is decomposing on back. Strahan is seen in the photograph. Photograph was deframed for preservation purposes. Sweaters Undated Box 1 Folder 4-5 One maroon SWT sweater with the name Strahan embroidered on the inside label. Sweater is a button down style with a few small holes (large T with small sw ) and some loose threads. One blue sweater with the name Strahan written on the inside label. Sweater is stained and faded in areas with several small tears with a large D on front. Sweater is presumably Strahan s letter sweater from Drake University. Awards 1970-1977 Box 1 Folder 6-9 - Page 6 -
Awards One 9 by 12 wooden and metal award presented to Strahan Feb. 21, 1970 from the National D Club of Drake University. Award has several small stains with a few small scratches on the wooden frame. One 13 by 10 wooden award to Strahan for the Hall of Honor, 1977. Picture on metal plate of Strahan discolored; there are a few scratches on the frame. One 13 by 10 framed certificate presented to Oscar Strahan for the 50th anniversary of the 1921 undefeated Bobcat Football Team; frame is scratched in places; both frame and glass are dirty. Certificate was deframed for preservation purposes. One wooden plaque presented to Strahan form the Lone Star Conference of Texas for dedicated service to collegiate sports; wood appears in good shape but metal plaque is tarnished and difficult to read. - Page 7 -