Eleanor Frost Snell (1900-1993) was a pioneer in women's physical education and athletics who inspired generations of young women proud to call themselves "Snell's Belles." In her 40 years of coaching and teaching (1931-1971), she established Ursinus College as a "perennial powerhouse in Division 1 hockey," the "small but mighty college among the giants." She provided her athletes with a rich heritage of superior coaching, hard work, determination, persistence, a love for sports, and respect for athletes. Her overall lifetime record (for field hockey, basketball, softball and tennis) consisted of 674 wins, 194 losses, and 42 ties.

Miss Snell produced more All-American field hockey stars than any other college or university in the United States, at least 25 of whom participated in overseas tours. Her 38 years of coaching field hockey resulted in 198 wins, 61 losses, and 29 ties, including six unbeaten seasons and a loss of only six games in a ten year span. Her 39 year basketball coaching career achieved 269 wins, 69 losses and 13 ties. As a softball coach for 27 years, she achieved a remarkable ten year period with only one loss and racked up 125 wins and 20 losses overall. During her 16 years as a tennis coach, she led her teams to win 61 matches with only 18 losses.

The collection includes photographs, programs, correspondence, press releases and newspaper clippings as well as personal memorabilia and writings about Eleanor by Ursinus students. Many of the items in this collection were given to the Ursinus College archives by Adele P. Boyd, Class of 1953. To view items in person, or learn more about the collection, please contact Carolyn Weigel, College Archivist.