Title: Dee Watson Papers, 1968-2010

ID: OGLMC1560

Extent: 5.5 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 06/16/2010

Subjects: Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation - Basketball, University of North Dakota - Academic Departments, University of North Dakota - Athletics, University of North Dakota - Faculty, University of North Dakota - Student Papers, Women's History

Languages: English

Dee (Dietta) Watson earned a B.A. in physical education from University of Northern Iowa (1965). She spent three years teaching junior and senior high school girls’ physical education and elementary physical education in Storm Lake, Iowa, before pursuing the M.A. (1970) in physical education and recreation from Adams State College in Alamosa. From 1970 to 1973, Dee taught and coached basketball, track and field and was the cheerleader advisor at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. UND recruited her in August 1974 to coach women’s basketball (1974-1979) and field hockey (1974-1976). Dee conducted workshops on campus and all around the state for PR/First Aid and for teachers in Bowmon, Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake and Grand Forks. During retirement, Dee is spending winters in Arizona and summers here in Grand Forks and Island Lake, nearby Minnesota.

Dee learned early in life about working hard. She and her three sisters grew up doing all the farm work with their mom and dad near Graettering, Iowa. She attended a one room country school through 4th grade, then finished junior and senior high school at Ringsted where she played interscholastic basketball and softball. One of her fondest memories is playing on the softball team with her three sisters the summer after she finished high school.

Dee earned her BA in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1965. She spent three years teaching junior and senior high school girls' physical education and elementary physical education in Storm Lake, Iowa, before pursuing the MA (1970) in physical education and recreation from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado where she also coached women's basketball and served as the Women's Recreational Association (WRA) director.

From 1970 to 1973, Dee taught and coached basketball, track and field and was the WRA and cheerleader advisor at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. UND recruited her in August 1974 to coach women's basketball (1974-1979) and field hockey (1974-1976). A fond memory of this time was going from last to second place and having a respectable field hockey team.

Dee officiated basketball, softball and field hockey at the local, state, regional and national level. She also served as president of the North Dakota Higher Education Association (NDHEA) as well as chairman of the history section of Central District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance(AAHPERD).

Dee conducted CPR/First Aid workshops on campus and for teachers around the state including in Bowman, Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake and Grand Forks.

Sources:

"Dietta (Dee) K. Watson." Kinesiology And Public Health Education. Http://education.und.edu/kinesiology-and-public-health-education/, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.

Pierce, Jena, ed. "Retirements." Physical Education, Exercise Science & Wellness University of North Dakota (Fall 2012): 7. Www.pxw.und.edu. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.

Sports and Recreation
Sports and Recreation - Basketball
University of North Dakota - Academic Departments
University of North Dakota - Athletics
University of North Dakota - Faculty
University of North Dakota - Student Papers
Women's History

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Dee Watson, Grand Forks, ND

Acquisition Method: Donation; 2010-3019

Appraisal Information: Programs for UND sporting events and related materials were transferred to UND Athletics (UA 49) during processing. Two artifacts (1928 tennis trophy and green/white UND Sioux basketball) were transferred to UND Artifacts (UA 124).

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Collection processed by Heather Hopkins, Special Collections student assistant, in November and December 2014.