WASHINGTON SCHOOL SPORTS

Well into the 1940s, some Black families in Stillwater reported severe limitations in the availability of recreational opportunities. Public pools were segregated and off-limits, as were many businesses. Borrowing books from the City Library was technically permitted, but in 1943 it was noted that “there has persisted in the settlement over the stretch of years the feeling that they are not wanted there.” At that time, more than four thousand volumes were packed into a ten by twenty-one-foot room at Washington school, with no librarian. Books were often destroyed in the routine floods that struck the area.

Sports, therefore, formed a cornerstone of activity at Washington School, especially with its growth to include high school classes. Both football and basketball teams were fully formed by 1938 and talented players quickly earned reputations for athletic excellence. Other sports Washington School students engaged in were baseball and wrestling. As was common in the early 20th century, there were no organized sports for girls; however, a Washington School marching band and cheerleader squad were eventually formed.

The Washington School uniform colors were maroon and silver. The mascot was the Bears, though perhaps to avoid confusion, uniforms and lettermen’s jackets featured an “S” for Stillwater. Basketball could be played in the stately gymnasium. Football practices and some games took place in an empty lot across the street from the building, with plain plywood serving as goalposts. Many games were played at Pioneer Field. Teams from Washington School traveled to locations including Chandler, Cushing, Drumright, Enid, Guthrie, Langston, Oklahoma City, Pawhuska, Perry, Stroud, and Wellston for games against other all-Black teams.

The Oklahoma State University [then OAMC] student newspaper, the Daily O’Collegian, began reporting with some regularity on the Washington School football team in 1938 – 1939. OSU students sometimes attended Washington School football games, noting with satisfaction when teams were equally matched, acknowledging stand-out players, paying admission fees of 25¢, and reveling in Washington’s victories—a point of interest, as Black students were not able to attend college in Stillwater at that time.

The Washington Bears won numerous state championships, including football titles in 1945, 1947, and 1950, and basketball in 1954. The final graduating class of 1956 did indeed “Turn it Up” when it came to athletics—both the football and basketball teams won state championship titles.