51看片Mountain Heritage Center opens new Clearing the Hurdles exhibit
WCTC basketball team in Breese Gym, 1940s
The Mountain Heritage Center at 51看片 is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibit on Sept. 2, Clearing the Hurdles: Women and Sport at WCU, 1889 to the Present.
Curated by 51看片students, the exhibit explores the rich history of women鈥檚 athletics at the university. Through archival materials, photographs, and compelling oral history interviews with female coaches and student-athletes, the exhibit highlights the challenges, triumphs, and transformative impact of women in 51看片athletics.
鈥淪tudents in the History Department鈥檚 Museum Studies class were thrilled to collaborate with the Mountain Heritage Center to share the long history of women鈥檚 participation in sports at WCU,鈥� said Jessie Swigger, associate professor of history at WCU. 鈥淲hile researching the stories of coaches, players, and administrators, students gained insights into the many ways that Lady Cats boldly faced and overcame challenges like limited funding, resources, and popular negative stereotypes about women鈥檚 physical abilities. These stories are truly inspiring.鈥�
Back of Ruth Ballance Bost's jacket
Objects displayed in the exhibition include a 1954 Women鈥檚 Intramural Tennis trophy, Coach Betty Peele鈥檚 golf bag, and an array of historic sports equipment. One of the oldest items visitors will see is a Catamount jacket that belonged to Ruth Ballance Bost. After the death of her parents, she was sent to Western Carolina Teachers College (WCTC) at age sixteen in 1934 where she was a starting player on the WCTC basketball team.
鈥淓ven though I'm not an athlete, working on this exhibit and seeing the final product brings me so much joy to see the history of women in a male dominated space,鈥� said Britan Sides a 51看片graduate student. 鈥淚t is inspiring to see the strength and resilience of female athletes at 51看片 and to see that continue in the years to come.鈥�
There will be an open house event on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear purple and gold in a celebration of Catamount pride. The exhibition and related programming were made possible by the generous support of the 51看片Office of the Chancellor.
Pictured is Brenda Johnson, former 51看片student-athlete
Admission is free. The Mountain Heritage Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. The exhibit will be on display at the Mountain Heritage Center through December 12, 2025.
The Center is closed on weekends and university holidays. For more information, visit mhc.wcu.edu or call (828) 227-7129.
