Ragus, Pete 1971, 1985, 1987

Tape 1: Pete Ragus, athletic director for Lubbock Independent School District, discusses the objectives and problems of policy making for Lubbock’s athletic programs. Tapes 2-3: Ragus reminisces about his career as a coach and athletic director and recounts experiences from his childhood in California.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Pete Ragus

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 10, 1971; March 21, 1985; April 5, 1987

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Perry McWilliams and Kay Ragus

Length: 2 hours 5 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background and early life, Schooling at Abilene Christian College (1945-51), Coaching career reviewed, Reasons for move to Lubbock as athletic director (1964), Discusses organization and administration of Lubbock schools’ athletic programs, Philosophy of athletic program, Distinctions between "competitive programs" and "intramurals", Lists educational objectives of athletic program, Criteria for selection of athletes into competitive program, Explains discrepancies between dress codes for athletes and non-athletic students.

Tape 1, Side 2: Problems in justification of past dress codes, Speculations on group unity and its relationship to administrative authority and control, Explores athletics’ problems with public image, tradition, and role conflict, Vagaries of policy making and cultural change discussed, Explains origin of the "clean cut" image and attitudes toward tradition.

Tape 2, Side 1: Pete Ragus, Background, Born: Sanger, California (1927), To Texas (1945), Abilene Christian College, Physical education, History, Teaching/coaching career, First job—Stamford, Texas (1951), Gordon Wood, Miller High School, Corpus Christi, Texas (1952), Bob Harrell, Head coach (1964), Athletic director at Lubbock, Texas, Duties, Girls’ athletics, Changes in programs, Goals, Challenges, Integration, Viewpoints on personnel, Attitudes of public, Future for competitive athletics, No Pass, No Play, Parental involvement, Personal coaching preferences, Description of duties.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Family background, Parents’ origins—Yugoslavia, Parents’ separation, Raised by father in Campbell, California, Poverty, Father’s work, Jobs as a youth, Effects of Depression, Assistance, Living conditions, Schools/Athletics—significance, Siblings, Childhood memories, Move to Texas, Reasons for, Religious influences, Church of Christ, Abilene Christian College, Campus life, Athletics—importance, Texas A & I, Abilene Christian College (again), Religion—importance, Wife—Margaret, Education/Coaching career (again), Stamford, Texas (again), Gordon Wood (again), Character, Miller High School, Corpus Christi (again), Bob Harrell, Student make-up, Benefits, Tom Pruitt, Play-off teams, Philosophy of coaching, Goals, Former students, Lubbock, Texas—Athletic director (1964), Nat Williams—LISD superintendent, Reasons for move, Challenges.

Tape 3, Side 2: Education/Coaching career (continued), Responsibilities, Goals (again), Program expansion, Financial aspects, Assistant athletic director, Desired changes, Integration effects, Feeder schools, Integration (again), Continuity between Middle and High schools, Challenges (again), Personnel, Rewards, Job changes, Memories of associates, Chuck Moser, Character, Influence, Superintendents, Linus Wright, Advice for coaches, Principles, Character traits, Changes in Texas athletics, Diversification, Treatment of athletes, Changes in Lubbock, Growth, Integration (again).

Range Dates: 1927-1987

Bulk Dates: 1945-1987

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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