The Brock collection consists of an audio CD, transcript, and a biographical form for an oral history interview conducted between Brock, Paul Allen, and Daardi Sizemore in 2016. In this interview, Brock talks about her career at Minnesota State University Mankato as a faculty member, intramural advisor, coach, and then women’s athletics director. Brock retired in 1998 after 34 years at Minnesota State Mankato.
This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Tell Your MSU Story Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Georgene Brock was born June 15, 1937 in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University for her bachelor’s degree in physical education and taught junior high and high school before pursuing her master’s degree at the University of New Mexico. Brock came to Mankato State College as a faculty member running women’s intramurals and teaching physical education classes. She taught gym sports, method classes, bowling, and archery besides coaching. As the women’s athletic director her duties included budgeting, scheduling, and obtaining uniforms for teams.
Brock and other physical education faculty were instrumental in starting women’s athletics at Mankato State and did so on an unpaid voluntary basis. Because women’s athletics was just starting there was no budget, meaning no uniforms, food, or facilities. However, Mankato State had one of the best physical education programs in the state and the students initially involved were physical education majors with great enthusiasm and skill. Gradually, women’s athletics received more money and the sports became more organized in the state and nationally.
Brock retired in 1998 after 34 years at Mankato State University. Her position as women’s athletic director was eliminated after her retirement.
More information about this collection is available on the collection guide.http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/fa/smhc/smhc254.html
