Fendley Collins papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.80

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Fendley Collins papers contain information on Michigan State University's wrestling team including charts, programs, and schedules. The collection also includes information on MSU and high school wrestling, wrestling tournaments and other sports. There is also information on the physical education department and courses at MSU as well as staff materials, material related to Collins' time as coordinator of special events, and correspondence. Also included is material relating to Pan American games wrestling team tryouts held at MSU in 1959 as well as the Pan American Games from 1959 to 1971, and Olympic Wrestling Committee materials from 1948 to 1972.

Also noteworthy are materials related to the State College Club now called the University Club. There are also materials on the founding of the MSU Credit Union.

The photographs in the collection include team photographs, individual wrestlers, portraits of Collins, Pan American games tryouts, and Olympic wrestling team.

Dates

Creation: 1930 - 1972

Creator

Collins, Fendley (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. This collection may contain restricted materials and will need to be reviewed by the archivist before used.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Fendley Collins was born on August 27, 1903 in Hedrick, Oklahoma to Wilkie and Myrtle Fendley Collins. He graduated in 1927 from Oklahoma State University with a degree in arts and sciences. He wrestled for Oklahoma State and was undefeated during his college career.

Collins began working at Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in 1929 as a physical education instructor. He became an assistant professor in 1939 and associate professor in 1942. He was head wrestling coach from 1929 to 1962. In 1970 he became coordinator of special events.

In 1955 he was the coach for the wrestling team for the Pan American Games. He was also the manager of the wrestling team for the 1964 Olympics.

He was married to Bertha Autry in 1928 and they had three daughters. Collins died on April 16, 1976.