The Terrapin Club was a student organization founded in 1924 to promote women's synchronized swimming. The club met weekly at the Huff Gymnasium Pool, Bevier Pool, and by 1981 the IMPE Pool. The club functioned like a sorority, educating "tadpole" pledges and initiating them as full members after they prooved capable swimmers. Hosting an annual water carnival every Spring, members presented and designed elaborate water shows that included scenery, costumes, lighting, stagecraft, and water ballet routine-writing. This annual event is frequently cited as one of the origins of the University's Mom's Day activities. Members of the Terepin Club also frequently joined the Dolphin Club, the men's synchronized swimming club, during their annual shows held in the fall.
In 1947, the club solicited Paul Karlstrom's Orchestra and the Women's Glee Club, under the direction of Ruth Burlison, to accompany 50 swimmers during their annual spring show. While the club continued to work with choral and orchestral ensembles to provide live music at a handful of annual events after this, the majority of their shows were set to pre-recorded instrumental albums that were originally designed to educate dancers and skaters. Terrapin water shows included a variety of musical genres and styles from waltzes and tangos to Yugolslavian folk dances and Western swing.
In 1955, the Terrapin club hosted an intercollegiate synchronized swim meet, following the Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) rules and regulations. During this meet, Royce Swain was solicited to compose original music for their three routines. Club members also produced research based on their work with the club, including Joni Zuber's 1958 masters thesis entitled, "The Effect of Immediate Correction with Underwater Speakers on Learning Synchronized Swimming Stunts" and Isabelle Bohman's 1955 masters thesis called, "A Study of Possible Recreational Aquatic Activities for the Orthopedically Handicapped." In 1960, Marilynn Austin and Jan Greenberg, both sophomores, were awarded with second class honors at the International Academy of Aquatic Arts Convention at Northwestern University.
In the spring of 1981, the club changed its name to the Illini Buoys. The club changed its name again in 1988 to the Illini Synchronized Swim Club.
Sources:"In the Tank: Terrapin is Club Name" Daily Illini (November 20, 1924), 15.
"Swimmers Enjoy Activities Planned by Terrapin, Dolphin," Daily Illini (August 1, 1956), 34.
"Swim Honorary: Terrapin to Install Officers Initiate Members at Banquet," Daily Illin (May 13, 1958), 9.
"Campus Women Perfect Storkes in Swim Clubs," Daily Illini (October 4, 1933), 2.
"Miss Bohman Receives Terrapin Award," Daily Illini (May 20, 1955), 5.
Barbara Richardson, "Program Planned for 1944 Mothers Day Celebration," Daily Illini (April 24, 1944), 1.
"Terrapin to Give Water Ballet in Huff Pool," Daily Illini (May 1, 1947), 1.
Ruthann Reinhard, "Swimming Club Schedules Meet for March 5," Daily Illini (February 16, 1955), 5.
"Terrapin Group Attends Aquatic Arts Convention," Daily Illini (February 24, 1960), 5.
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