Female Athletes at Poly

This exhibition explores women’s involvement in sports at Poly. Before Poly merged with NYU completely in 2014, it had Division III sports in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the United States. The sports teams started as men only, since it was a male-only college before 1958. Before then, the landscape of engineering schools was markedly different, where engineering schools like Poly were predominantly male students. Consequently, the sports teams naturally reflected this demographic, composed solely of male athletes. The first appearance of women in engineering school sports teams at Poly occurred years after Poly transitioned towards a co-educational model. Even with female students appearing at Poly, other factors hindered the school from creating and developing female athletic teams. The inclusion of women in engineering school sports teams marked a significant milestone in history, signaling a commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity. 

College athletics serve more than a sports competition. It also embodies the institute’s identity and pride, bringing a sense of belonging to the school. Consequently, the integration of women into the athletics of Poly carried broader implications for the school’s community dynamics. How did women’s involvement reshape the athletic scene? By examining the intersection of gender dynamics and school image, we could gain valuable insights into the broader significance of athletics within Poly’s history and legacy. This exhibition focuses mainly on three sports at Poly: Cheerleading, Volleyball, and Judo.