Dr. Alfred Geddes (interview); Creator: Geddes, Dr. Alfred; Interviewer(s): Jonathan Bergen and John Hugo; Interview location: Geddes' home; Running time: 50 min., May 1, 1991

Coverage: 1937-1991
Topics discussed : (side A): Growth of Physical Education at WestConn; growth result of the time; teacher education school had influence on program; Basketball; men's varsity was already here; Mr. Pilkinton was the coach of the team; not sure if women's team was here or not at time; Recreation activities; tied in w/ education program; Small school; allowed for a close; knit family atmosphere; student government very active in putting together picnics; Development of sports teams; began after WW II; varsity team sports began after the war; varsity baseball one of the first to develop (coach a former pro player); Harvey Jessup; was hired around this time; Football; doesn't remember the first football game (in 1971); Berkshire Hall gym; original gym was a "matchbox"; half size of a basketball court; used Danbury High School gym for basketball games; never coached in the Berkshire Hall gym; Effects of WW II on college; more men started coming into college, many of them vets; the men were mature; "ERUTAM"; group of men who were career oriented; mature spelled backwards; WW II era vs. Vietnam era; there was a transition between WW II and Korean War; Vietnam had to do w/ college deferments; doesn't recall demonstrations; it was a peaceful campus; Dorms; weren't co; ed in the beginning; co; ed came after he retired in 1974; Relationship w/ other professors; diverse point of view is important to the campus; professional atmosphere; very good relationships; different generations; Dr. Jenkins; gentleman of the "old school"; he had the best of intentions; he was a leader; Dr. Haas; she took over after Dr. Jenkins died; she was acting president immediately after Jenkins' death; she was exceptionally good; great relationships w/ everyone he knew; good personality and capability; very appreciative of faculty and progress the men had made at college; invited to stay beyond mandatory year for retirement; Health Education; health curriculum can remember it always being there; health of student always priority; doctor on campus; Role of sports at college today; doesn't have a lot of contact w/ college now, only knows what he reads; different time and different mode; by 1930s, walk; on were normal and scholarships were still new; varsity teams and importance of winning; "Do; Day"; very enjoyable (side B): "Do; Day" (cont.); student government became cooperative government, it included faculty; it was a community service and had cooperative effort; it was almost like a "holiday atmosphere"; activities during day, skits and fun at night; Ruth Haas Library; library is heart of the university; college lucky someone saw need for a separate library; better facilities than previous; Development of sports at college; doesn't recall football; baseball and basketball was a nature development; the other three teacher colleges were all similar (although New Britain was a little bigger); competition between the four state schools; "Loco parentis"; depends on the times; has the best of intentions; big change in role since WW II; Expansion of the school; is a result of the expanding student body; student body became more diverse w/ different ideas; Memorable students; Experience of being at WestConn; all positive and no negative; Physical condition of students; fewer people were oriented to this type of college; smaller school allowed for them to address any physical problems; can remember of two cases in which physical condition became issue