The UT Athletic Association became a full-fledged university department in 1951, following approval of the board of trustees. An Athletics Board replaced the Athletic Council of the former Athletic Association. The Athletic Association had operated essentially as a department of UT since its 1936 reorganization, but there was a need to clarify the relationship of athletics to other student activities of the institution. The Athletic Association surrendered its original 1908 charter in summer 1951.