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
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
