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A Photographic History of Oregon State University

Student Athletes at OSU

For more than one hundred years, many Beaver athletes have been part of national teams for the United States and other countries in the Olympics, Pan American Games, and other world championship tournaments, dating back to Forrest Smithson’s gold medal in track in the 1908 Olympic games.

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Electric football scoreboard in the Men's Gymnasium, October 3, 1924. According to an October 2, 1924 Barometer article, "an immense new electric scoreboard, completely equipped in every detail . . . will display every move and play in the Whitman-OAC game tomorrow afternoon in Pendleton." A telegraph set up on the playing field sent play-by-play reports to the illuminated board in the Men's Gymnasium (Langton Hall). The Varsity "O" association invested more than $1,000 for the scoreboard -- and charged each fan fifty cents admission. (HC 22)
Coach Paul Schissler (left) and football team member Howard Maple receiving a trophy from Portland Mayor George Baker, celebrating OSC's victory over New York University, 1928. Oregon State concluded an up-and-down season in 1928 by traveling 3,000 miles to play the much heralded New York University Violets in Yankee Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, November 29. The 25-13 Beaver victory, considered one of college football's biggest upsets of the season, was called "one of the prettiest games of the year to watch" by a New York sportswriter. On the team's return trip, crowds at LaGrande, Pendleton, The Dalles, Portland and Corvallis greeted the victors. The trophy awarded by Mayor Baker was inscribed, "To Oregon State College by the citizens of Portland presented in commemoration of the football victory, Oregon State College over New York University Yankee Stadium, New York O.S.C. 25 - N.Y.U. 13 November 29, 1928 (HC 918)
Shirley Lagastee drives around a defender to the basket, winter 1975. Lagastee was OSU’s leading scorer that season. OSU split its two game series with the Oregon Ducks, winning the second contest in 97-32 blowout. Basketball became an intercollegiate sport for women at OSU in 1972. Lagastee was a four-sport athlete at OSU – she also played field hockey and softball, and was on the track and field team. (P57:4937)
Judy Spoelstra in action against Montana State, 1982. Spoelstra played at OSU for two seasons, 1982 and 1983, earning Kodak All-American second team honors in 1983. She led the team to the 1982 Women’s NIT title and an appearance in the 1983 NCAA tournament. Spoelstra returned to OSU in 1995 to inherit basketball head coaching duties from her former coach, Aki Hill. She coached the team for ten seasons, compiling an overall record of 133 wins and 158 losses. Her teams played in the 1996 NCAA tournament and in the WNIT from 2001 to 2004. Spoelstra received the John R. Wooden Pac-10 conference coach of the year in 2000, and was named to the OSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. (P57:6979)
Karl Van Calcar running against Washington State, ca. 1985. Van Calcar, who ran at OSU from 1984-1988, was a five time All-American for Oregon State – three times in track and twice in cross-country. The 1500 and 5000 meter runs and the 3000 meter steeplechase were his specialties. He won the steeplechase at the 1988 NCAA Championships – the last Beaver to win an individual national title before track and field was eliminated. (Photo by Mike Shields, courtesy of OSU Athletic Communications)
Jenna Leavitt dribbles the ball against an opponent, ca. 1993. Leavitt led the Beavers in goals and total points in 1992 and 1993. She holds the OSU record for points (nine) in one game, scoring nine against Gonzaga on Sept. 27, 1993. In that game she scored four goals, an OSU record she shares with Val Wiliams. She also holds the OSU record for career assists with twenty-three. Leavitt garnered first team All-NCSC honors in 1990 and 1992. She was also first team Pac-10 All-Academic in 1994. (Photo by Mike Shields, courtesy of OSU Athletic Communications)
Brent Barry in action against the Ducks, 1995. Barry played at OSU from 1991 to 1995. He was an All Pac-10 selection in 1995, and was second in scoring in the conference that year at 21 points per game. He is on nine of OSU’s top 10 career lists. Barry played professionally from 1995 to 2009, including stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle Supersonics and the San Antonio Spurs. (P3, Accession 96:005)