We have lost many traditions and social norms over the years. Gentlemen and ladies once wore hats and more formal attire in public, and young couples marked their relationships by “pinning” one another. Among one of the most sentimental traditions we have drifted away from is the charm bracelet. These pieces of memory jewelry adorned...
If you attend a Texas Longhorn football game today, you’ll be handed a program that has been mass produced for at least 100,000 fans. Not to knock any of the exceptional photography that has been used in the modern era of college football on the program covers, but they typically use one photo for the...
When I first came to the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, I knew almost nothing about the history of strength or the extraordinary figures who shaped it—aside from our renowned Director, Dr. Jan Todd, once known as the “Strongest Woman in the World.” I certainly didn’t know how to make a FlipBook,...
How does a strong man make a living? For Joe Bonomo (1901-1978), his strength opened doors for several career paths, including work as a stunt man and actor in Hollywood. Thanks to the Victor (Vic) Boff collection at the Stark Center, we can all enjoy a glimpse into Hollywood’s silent era and early “talkies” through...
The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports is a nonprofit that receives the funding to preserve and provide access to archival materials in the fields of physical culture and sports through the generosity of private donors. This being said, there are so many wonderful collections that are inventoried but not completely processed....
Early in my career at the Stark Center, we developed an exhibit about the 1914 football team, an undefeated, national-championship-winning squad, which was an easy choice of subject given the 100-year anniversary in 2014, the team’s remarkable dominance (they outscored their opponents 358 to 21), and the way the roster had become a veritable “who’s...
From March 26 to March 29, 2025, the Mike A. Myers Stadium hosted the 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, a multi-day track and field meet that brings in athletes from all around the country to compete. The meet is the second largest in the United States and features athletes at the high school, college, and...
Last summer, I made the decision to expand my academic and professional horizons by pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at the University of Texas. The opportunity to learn from leading scholars in the field was too exciting to pass up—even if I do skew the average age of my cohort a bit higher....
Our Director, Dr. Jan Todd, has always had a special affinity for Katharina Brumbach, or as she is known by her stage name, Katie Sandwina. Dr. Todd began her weightlifting career in 1973 after accompanying her husband, powerlifting icon Terry Todd, to the gym. After deadlifting 225 pounds in her first workout, she asked her...
