In 1942, the UNH Women's Athletic Association began an intensified physical-fitness program as part of the war training program. Life magazine photographers and a couple of newsreel companied arranged to come to campus to take pictures of the women as they worked out. As chance would have it, it snowed the night before they were to arrive. Rather than delay the story, the women gamefully donned gym shorts and blouses and at the photographer's request, tackled the men's obstacle course in the snow.
The UNH coeds received national attention when the magazine hit the stands and the newsreel were shown in movie theaters. Some of the women received marriage proposals from men who had seen their pictures. The Women's Athletic Director received several letters from other colleges and universities requesting more information on the program. She also received several letters criticizing her for making her girls exercise outside under such harsh weather conditions!
