The first football team at Penn was formed in 1892, with James R. Howard serving as captain. The first full season of football was in the year 1896. Penn's first undefeated football team was in 1904 (7-0), and Penn's first Iowa Conference…
Penn College was founded by Quakers, who believed education to be a necessity in their lives, but public schooling had not yet come to Iowa in the late 19th Century. Oskaloosa seemed like the perfect location for a Quaker college due to the two…
The Knights Templar Band in front of the old square. The first settlers deep love of music led to the creation of the Municipal Band in 1864. The band became known as the Knights Templar band in 1880. In 1882 a double-deck bandstand was erected in…
The first Field Day was held at Penn in June of 1891 where various track and field events took place. Meets were held for several years on Penn's campus. Penn participated in its first intercollegiate meet in 1897 at Simpson College. Participation…
The first Commencement was in 1875 with Linda Ninde Dorland. Commencement typically lasted all day starting with the Baccalaureate, and ending either with the President or a professor hosting the Commencement Dinner. In later years, it would be…
Basketball at Penn really started taking off in 1900. They became Hawkeye Conference champs in 1914-15, and Iowa Conference champs in 1970-71. Both men's and women's basketball went on to become state champs multiple times during the 70's and 80's.
