1980s at WVU
WVU developed more new programs in the 1980s. The Women’s Studies Program began in 1980 and became the Center for Women’s Studies in 1984. WWVU-FM U92 went on the air in 1982, and the Social Justice Office was established in 1986, followed by the Center for Black Culture and Research. WVU celebrated the centenary of women’s education on campus from 1989 to 1991, using a theme of “Excellence Through Equity.”
Athletics continued to be a primary focus at WVU. During the 1980s, many athletes earned All-American status. For the newly developed women’s athletic teams, this was a particularly sweet victory. Shari Retton was the first athlete to win All-American status in a women’s sport, gymnastics, in 1983. In December of 1984, Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in a game. She was inducted into Phi Slama Jama, the dunking fraternity. The basketball she used for the dunk is now in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Mountaineer Field was expanded to 60,686 seats in 1985 and to 63,175 seats in 1986. This expansion was an excellent move for the University since Mountaineer football was soon to experience one of its best seasons in history, as the team was undefeated (11-0) in 1988.
WVU women’s basketball player Georgeann Wells,
the first woman to dunk a basketball during a game
Cover shot from spring 1983 WWVU-FM U92 radio guide
Image courtesy of Kim Harrison, U92