Category: Athletics
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Sweetland Field & McCulloch Stadium
Written by Alex Sims, Class of 2025 The area known as the Quad was once home to the campus athletic field. In 1912, the athletic field was named Sweetland Field in honor of Dr. G. J. Sweetland, Jr, the university athletic director from 1909-1914.1 Dr. Sweetland transformed the athletic field into a usable athletic space,… Read more
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Willamette University and World War II
Written by Hannah Mosher, Class of 2026 The United States’ entry into the Second World War, in 1943, completely altered student and faculty life at Willamette. As the fighting went on, Willamette students volunteered for the draft and were sent to local and overseas stations while those on campus adjusted to college education during wartime.… Read more
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Lestle J. Sparks Center
Written by Hannah Mosher, Class of 2026 The Lestle J. Sparks Center is Willamette University’s sports and fitness center. Upon its completion in March of 1974, the Sparks Center became integral to Willamette’s Campus and the greater Salem community. The university’s previous gym, built in 1923 and consisting of 30,000 square feet of floor space,… Read more
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Lestle J. Sparks
Written by Hannah Mosher, Class of 2026 In 1974, construction of Willamette’s Sparks Center was completed. The university chose to dedicate the building in honor of Lestle J. Sparks, a man with an extensive history with the school beginning with his time as a student and subsequent career as a professor and coach. He was… Read more