WAA Fundraising
Because the Women’s Athletic Association received little funding from the university and the high-profiting men’s football program, participants had to raise money as well as practice for competitions. This included raising money for equipment, uniforms, athletic fees, competitions and socials as well as facilities and places to practice.
Food and Sports Equipment Sales
Members of the WAA often sold food items to finance their organization, including sandwiches, hot dogs, and apples. Their reliance on apples, especially, is indicated in the “Apple Report” of 1955 which reported poor apple sales and suggested candy bars as an alternative. However, Dr. Margaret Bell, the admired WAA advisor and physician, was “definitely against” that idea “from a health standpoint.”[1]
In addition to food sales, members of certain athletic clubs also sold sports equipment, such as individual golf balls, rifle bullets, and badminton birdies.[2]
Despite the WAA’s extraordinary ability to fund their own athletics, the need for members to “pay to play” strengthened the case for Title IX legislation and a requirement for equality in athletic funding in the 1970s.
[1] "Apple Report 1955,” Women’s Athletic Association 1954-56, Box 3, Women’s Athletic Association (University of Michigan) Records 1905-1962, University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library, Ann Arbor, MI.
[2] Norma Clark, “Final Report 1958-59,” Women’s Athletic Association 1958-60, Box 3, Women’s Athletic Association (Universityof Michigan) Records 1905-1962, University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library, Ann Arbor, MI.