Delta Psi Kappa, Turnverein, & the Athletic Association:

a Short History of Honorary Athletic Organizations at Longwood University

Longwood University - Greenwood Library Archives & Special Collections

March 5, 2021

In 1968, Turnverein, Longwood College's local honorary physical education fraternity, was accepted for membership in Delta Psi Kappa, a national honorary fraternity for women in physical education.

Image: The Rotunda, March 28, 1968.

Delta Psi Kappa was founded in 1916 at the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union. Included in the ranks of the organization was Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Turnverein, however, had only been established one year before, in 1967. The name was derived from a German word that means "physical activity" or "sport." 20, 1968.

Image: The Rotunda, October 11, 1967.

Prior to 1967, the prevailing physical education honorary group on campus was the Athletic Association.

Organized in the early 1900s, the Athletic Association was formed to meet a growing interest in sports.

Image: 1908 Virginian.

The Athletic Association was made up of student athletes and physical education majors.

Photo: Athletic Association members, 1937. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection

The association was governed by a group of student-elected officers.

Photo: Athletic Association Council, 1939. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection

Among the early sports that evolved and grew with the establishment of the Athletic Association were archery, tennis, and basketball.

Images (L to R):

1912 Senior Basketball Team, 1912 Virginian

1908 Tennis Club, 1908 Virginian

1909 Archery Club. LU-157, Mattoon Family Collection

The Athletic Association flourished under the leadership of Olive Iler, who taught physical education at Longwood from 1925 until her retirement in 1966.

Iler Hall, which initially served as a gymnasium, was named in her honor in 1967.

Photo: Olive Iler, 1937. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection.

Iler introduced the first varsity basketball team in 1925 and by 1933 was responsible for coaching all of the athletic teams.

Photo: Olive Iler and basketball team, ca. mid-1930s. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection.

The Monogram Club, a subsidiary of the Athletic Association, was formed in 1925. Any student who earned a requisite number of points through athletic achievement was allowed to join and wear the STC monogram on their sweaters.

Photo: 1939 Monogram Club. LU-196, Geraldine Ackiss Photograph Collection.

Senior class members of the Athletic Association, who made high achievements in sports throughout their college years, were awarded either a blue or white blazer with the Longwood emblem stitched onto the pocket. This was considered the highest honor a member of the Athletic Association could achieve.

Photo: 1957 Athletic Association Blazer recipients. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection.

The Longwood, Beta Lambda, Chapter of Delta Psi Kappa was active from 1968 to 2003.

Image: Delta Psi Kappa Membership Card. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection

During that time hundreds of Longwood students were initiated into the organization.

Image: Delta Psi Kappa honors stole, undated. LU-083, Delta Psi Kappa Collection

Today, Longwood University student athletics is governed by the NCAA with the Longwood Lancers competing as a Division I school in the Big South Conference.

There are also several organizations on campus devoted to health, physical education, and recreation:

Phi Epsilon Delta , a national professional fraternity, which organized its Epsilon Psi chapter at Longwood in Spring 2004.

the HPE Club , a student organization which is dedicated to promoting professional growth in health, physical education, coaching, and dance.

the Longwood Athletic Trainer's Association (LATA) , which supports and promotes highest quality healthcare to the physically active population as well as social, moral, and ethical obligations to the athletic training profession.

the Outdoor Club , which provides students to experience outdoor activities not found in traditional academic classrooms.

and

the Therapeutic Recreation Organization , which is dedicated to the advancement of therapeutic recreation students through fieldwork experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service.

To learn more about the history of athletics at Longwood, visit us at the Greenwood Library Archives !