PERCEPTIONS OF THREE BLACK LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL INTRAMURAL-RECREATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION: THE FORMATIVE YEARS, 1950-1975.

摘要

The National Intramural Association was founded on February 22, 1950 by William N. Wasson. On March 26, 1975, members of the National Intramural Association voted to change the name of the organization to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. Within the formative first twenty years, the Association faced many major issues. An attempt was made to solicit, record and analyze the historical perceptions related to there issues, of three prominent black leaders who were instrumental in the founding and early development of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The study was also conceived as a first effort in the establishment of an oral history archive for the Association.;For the purpose of organizing data into a useful and orderly format for analysis, the interview questions and responses were considered within the framework of five major topical headings. Specifically, these were: (1) Personal and Professional Background; (2) Leadership Roles; (3) Motivating Factors; (4) Major Issues; (5) Development and Changes.;After categorizing the questions, the next post-interview step involved the identification of large-scale trends from the responses within each of the five categories. Finally, as the five areas were merged into the broader framework, the conceptual basis for later conclusions was firmly established.;The data support the conclusions that the three subjects were influential, to varying degrees, in identifying and resolving the major issues with which the young organization was forced to grapple. These issues included financial and membership crises as well as issues of racial and gender integration.;Data was collected by personal interviews with three major figures: William N. Wasson, Founder; Ross E. Townes, former President (1955 and 1956); and Embra C. Bowie, Treasurer (1956 thru 1971). Structured interview questions and responses were tape recorded and transcribed. Additional data were collected from the Association central files, from the professional files of selected Association members, and from newsletters.