In 1958 the Varsity Club was created as a continuation of the Men’s Monogram Club that ended the year prior. The Varsity Club was created as a men's only athletic organization while female students participated in the Women's Athletic Association. Their original goals were to promote better sportsmanship, give recognition to athletes, provide a welcoming environment, and educate people on what Bridgewater College sports are all about.
Student athletes who had received a varsity letter due to their athletic achievements were able to join the Varsity Club. In addition, they were awarded Bridgewater jackets and were able to present shows at halftime during basketball games.
The archives provide information about hazing rituals that Varsity Club initiates endured such as, dressing like goats and wearing cheese around their necks for an entire week. Additionally, the “rookies” had to do whatever the older Varsity Club members asked of them.
In the early 1980s the existence of the Varsity Club seemingly disappeared. The Bridgewater College academic catalog was no longer promoting the club to the new students and the Ripples yearbook stopped including it in the Club category.
By Alex Thompson, Special Collections Intern, 2024
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