Tarpon Club

The Tarpon Club began during the early 1920s as the Florida State College for Women Life Saving Corps. In the spring of 1937, members of the Corps under the direction of Betty Washburn formed the Tarpon Club, choosing the tarpon fish as its mascot due to its reputation of being an acrobat of Florida waters. The club presented its first "water pageant" in the fall of that year featuring swimming stroke demonstrations and floating patterns performed with musical accompaniment. The Club continued to perform at least one production per year with each show containing a central theme until its disbandment in 1994. During its long existence, the Tarpon Club garnered a number of awards and received invitations to perform at national and international aquatic exhibitions. Tarpons have also been featured in television shows and movies. When the Club disbanded in 1994, it was the nation's oldest continuously active collegiate swim group as well as the oldest club on the F.S.U. campus.

From the description of Florida State College for Women/ Florida State University Tarpon Club collection, 1931-1994 (inclusive). (Florida State University). WorldCat record id: 652123128