Rockford’s Home Team: Fielding Athletics have been an integral part of Rockford University since its earliest days. The university’s first president, Anna Peck Sill, imparted on her pupils the importance of training the body as well as the mind. She encouraged students to exercise at a time in history when females were often discouraged from engaging in too much physical activity. In her honor, the institution’s first gymnasium, located on
Old Campus and built at the end of the 19th century, was named “Sill Gym.” Before intercollegiate athletics for men began at Rockford College in 1956 — and for women after the passing of Title IX in 1972 — students engaged in inter-class competitive sports. Field hockey was one of the first, with each class
Miss Anna Peck Sill arrives in Illinois from Oakfield, New York and opens a preparatory school for young ladies in an old courthouse building while awaiting her confirmation as Rockford Female Seminary’s first president.
Land for the new East State Street campus is purchased.
Sill Gym is completed and includes state-of-the-art equipment. Students wear wool uniforms when exercising.
1847
1849
1886
A charter is signed to establish Rockford Female Seminary.
1892
Rockford Female Seminary becomes Rockford College.
Sill Hall is erected and work begins on a gymnasium.
16 CATALYST
1890 s
1928
