The Beginning of Change
SWT President C.E. Evans in 1936
Prior to Strahan's arrival in San Marcos, all sports were played outdoors, even basketball. Oscar told the story many times over the years that in their first meeting in St. Louis, SWT President Evans said that the university had no gym because “[w]e don't need gyms in Texas. Weather's too good to play indoors.” This would change after Strahan's hiring. Under Strahan’s guidance, facilities were eventually constructed, beginning with the establishment of two gymnasiums (one for women, one for men) in 1921.