Barbara Cook Collins collection of Cheerleading Uniforms and Pennants

Prior to 1939, cheer or yell leaders at Purdue were all men.  The male students were chosen by the student body, with one member appointed as the head cheerleader.  These students were responsible for fostering school spirit and support for Purdue’s athletic teams.  The position of head yell (cheer) leader was highly coveted, with its selection process well-documented in the Exponent.  In 1939, Stubby Meiers was selected as the head cheerleader and forever changed the face of cheerleading at Purdue.  During his tenure, Meiers selected three female students to join the squad for the first time:  Barbara Cook (BSS 1940), Mary Mather (BSHE 1940), and Marjorie Moore (BSHE 1942).  The three women are pictured with the rest of the Yell Leaders in the 1939 Debris. Interestingly, 1939 also saw the introduction of a Mascot to Purdue Athletics, with the creation of the first Boilermaker Special.

Barbara Cook Collins graduated from Purdue in 1940 with a B.S.S. While at Purdue, Collins was the first female athlete to represent Purdue as a National Champion Diver and was the first woman to be inducted into the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame. Collins was also a member of the inaugural class of female cheerleaders in 1939.