Full Details Here check out the new exhibit Visit Conference Page OPEN HOURS Weekdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekends & Holidays: Closed CHECK OUT THESE COLLECTIONS & EXHIBITS > < Doctors Curtis Jackson (Shorty) & Mary Evelyn Boice
Alderson Collection Muscle Beach Health and Life Magazine Text reads, "IRON GAME HISTORY OPEN SUBMISSIONS Send us your work! Iron Game History is calling for papers. Founded in 1990 by Terry and Jan Todd, the journal promotes academic scholarship related to the history of the strength sports, exercise, nutrition, training for sport, and other aspects of physical culture. It is a great opportunity to publish scholars at all levels. Click here to access the archive and submissions." Blue rectangle with white text that reads, "DIGITAL LIBRARY PAMPHLETS, COURSES, AND BOOKS ON STRENGTH Our most recent editions to the digital library include George Jowett’s strength pamphlets, York training courses by Bob Hoffman, and booklets such as “All About Lifting” by W. L. Carquest and “How to Perform Feats of Strength” by Chuck Sipes. Click here to explore." A two-page black and white spread of a strength training booklet with a photo and instructions on how to perform a two hand press. YouTube Icon Within the white outline of a rectangle with rounded corners, text reads, "Donate to the Stark Center; click here to visit our donations page." Two columns of classic Greek architecture appear on either side of the text. X (Twitter) Icon Burnt Orange rectangle with white text which reads, "NEW EXHIBIT COACHING GREATNESS:JODY CONRADT Head Coach Jody Conradt and the University of Texas women’s basketball team recorded a 183-game win streak against Southwest Conference opponents (1978-1990). They won the 1986 NCAA national championship and completed the first-ever undefeated season in collegiate women’s basketball (34-0). Click here to learn more." A black and white photograph of University of Texas Longhorn women's basketball coach, Jody Conradt. Conradt stands center holding a microphone with her players in a row behind her, many photographers and camera operators record what she is saying. A burnt orange rectangle with white text that reads, "NEW EXHIBIT LONGHORNS v. AGGIES Step into one of college football’s most storied football matchups at The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports. Our new exhibit, Longhorns v. Aggies, celebrates an on-field rivalry as big as the Lone Star State as well as the off-field hijinks, school traditions, and team mascots. Explore rare photographs, iconic uniforms, vibrant game day programs, and more. Click here to learn more." A black and white photo of a football game between texas and texas a&m, pete layden carries the ball for texas with a white jersey. From 1940. Physical Cultures of the Body Conference VII CALL FOR PAPERS! january 7-8, 2027 A Virtual and In-Person Conference hosted by The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center Abstracts due November 16, 2026 All are welcome No charge for admission White text reads, "Hullabaloo Hooray: The History of Texas Spirit" A close up photo of a 1961 female cheer uniform from the University of Texas with a megaphone behind. In the background a contemporary female uniform from 2026. There is a burnt orange color block overlay across the image. A collage of photos featuring in color shots of current Stark Center exhibits about Longhorn sports and black and white photos of historic moments from Longhorn sport history such as the original Bevo and players on the 1986 women's basketball team after winning the NCAA tournament.

Welcome to the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports.

The Stark Center is a research center housed within the Department of Kinesiology & Health Education.  We are a unique combination of library, archive, and gallery/exhibit space. Our regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm. There is no charge for admission and all are welcome.

Upcoming Public Tour: Friday, November 20 at 12pm

“The History of Longhorn Sports at The Stark Center”

All are invited to attend a curator-led tour of The Stark Center with a focus on the exhibits and collections showcasing
the history of Longhorn sports.

We will be CLOSED the week of Thanksgiving, Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
You can still contact us by emailing info@starkcenter.org.

It's a Good LifeBy
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An Unexpected Pleasure: Kissing the Ground in Equilibrium—A Search for the Origins of the Pushup

One of the things I enjoy most about the Stark Center are the requests we often get for information about some aspect of the history of physical culture. Most of those requests are handled by our incredible Stark Center staff but every now and then a request will make its way to my inbox and I find myself so intrigued that I end up doing research that wasn’t planned because the question made me curious too. This past Sunday was one of those days. I got an unexpected email from Denis Blinov, whom I’ve never met. “May I ask if you...

A color photograph of the entrance to the new exhibit, especially in focus is an illustration of a woman cheering for Texas from the late 1800s or early 1900s.
Curator's CornerBy
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A Cheer for The Cheerleaders

Just in time for a new football season defined by great expectations, we have opened a new exhibit at The Stark Center called “Hullabaloo Hooray: The History of Texas Spirit.” Named for the first official “Varsity” cheer, the exhibit tells the history of yells, cheers, performances, routines, and the students who lead them. Cheering and the Texas Spirit program have always played tremendous roles in shaping and defining what it means to be part of the University of Texas, despite humble beginnings as student run committees. It did not take long for me to see the enormous levels of dedication...

Browse the Complete Journal Archive

The Stark Center features collections from around the world related to all aspects of physical culture and sports.

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