Stadium High School football. Young man with number 87 on sweatshirt holds bundle of football helmets as he poses for portrait with his foot on a metal wheelbarrow and his hand on a shovel.

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--Sports; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The concrete bleachers at Stadium Bowl are empty of people but untidy with scattered litter, probably programs or newspapers, after the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Stadium and Lincoln High School in 1939. The State Historical Museum building is in the background.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Bleachers--Tacoma; Refuse--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Fullback for the 1939 Bellarmine football team, Ray O'Leary is frozen in a classic football pose.

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports; O'Leary, Ray;

Tacoma's Washington State College (now W.S.U.) alumni association borrowed two cougars from the Washington state game farm near Steilacoom and paraded them through the streets of Tacoma in December of 1941 to drum up excitement for the big W.S.C. - Texas A&M football game held on Saturday afternoon, December 6th. The big "cats" were housed in a cage mounted on a gaudily-painted truck. The "Evergreen Bowl" game, Tacoma's first brush with big time college football, was attended by 30,000 screaming fans who watched the Southwest Conference Champ Aggies defeat the Cougars 7-0. (T. Times 12/4/1941, pg. 13-alt. photo)

Pumas; Mascots; Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State College (Pullman)--Associated objects;

Coach Ralph Lackey went over play instructions with Clover Park Warriors Jimmy Allphin (standing left), DeVere Bailey (standing right), (crouching, l to r) Mark Pitman, Walter Mienzen and Steve Tish, to help prepare them for the 1941 Pierce County League title game against the Fife Trojans held on Friday November 7, 1941. Going into the game, each team had won six straight league games. The Warriors defeated the Trojans 7-0, winning their first major sports championship. The only touchdown in the game was scored by 208-pound fullback, Steve Tish. (T.Times 11/6/1941 p.17)

Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Football players--Lakewood--1940-1950; Lackey, Ralph; Allphin, Jimmy; Bailey, DeVere; Pitman, Mark; Mienzen, Walter; Tish, Steve; Football--Lakewood--1940-1950; Students--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Pacific Lutheran College football team, players and coaches. Unidentified coach is believed to be Philip G. Strombo, who succeeded Cliff Olsen as the new director of athletics at PLC in the fall of 1942. Strombo, at 41, was a former North Dakota University player and had coached in North Dakota and Oregon.

Football players--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Football--Parkland--1940-1950;

Senior captain Gordon Smith prepares to lead his Bellarmine Lions football team into battle in the 9th annual Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored Grid-Go-Round on September 14, 1951. Four Tacoma area teams-- Bellarmine, Clover Park, Lincoln and Stadium are scheduled to compete at Lincoln Bowl. Smith, at 180 pounds, plays at both the fullback and end positions. Photograph ordered by Hugh Fotheringill, Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 9-9-51, p. C-12)

Smith, Gordon; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grid-Go-Round (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

At the annual Cheney Lumber Company football banquet in December of 1956 the boys who played on one of the Cheney Studs football teams that year gathered around a large group photo, trying to find themselves in the picture. In 1956 the Cheney Lumber Co. fielded rookie, bantam, peewee and midget teams in the local leagues. The rookie league was new in 1956 and consisted of boys 11 years old and less than 90 pounds. The Cheney Lumber Co., headed by philanthropist Ben Cheney, poured money into sports for children, enabling many Tacoma area youngsters to experience the fun of sports. Ben Cheney had been instrumental in the founding of the kids football program; by 1956, the program had 30 competing teams.

Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the Cheney Studs junior league football teams pose in front of the sign for Cheney Field. To the right in the Studs jacket is Ben Cheney, Tacoma lumberman and sports philanthropist, and in front and to his left is his daughter Sandra, in Studs jacket and hat. Ben Cheney donated thousands of dollars for uniforms and equipment to sports teams, enabling youngsters to experience the thrill of sports. He had helped the kids football program get started 6 years prior and had continued to aid the program. By 1956, it had 30 competing teams. The boys wear the familiar "Cheney stud" logo on their uniform shirts; they also wear helmets and pads.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney Field (Tacoma); Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bob Keister appears to be preparing to punt as the Lincoln High School sophomore practices with his varsity teammates on November 1, 1955. Besides lettering in football, Keister also was on the successful Sophomore Blacks basketball team and on the Reserve baseball roster. By the time his career concluded at Lincoln, Keister also lettered in varsity baseball as a pitcher and served as Hi-Y president. (1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p.52, p.63, p. 66; 1958 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 23)

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Keister, Robert;

Ben Cheney's generosity allowed hundreds of Tacoma area youth to participate on basketball, football and baseball teams. Each year his Cheney Lumber Co. sponsored a Sports Award banquet to honor these young people. Several boys in this November 30, 1958, photograph are wearing jackets with the Cheney Studs logo. This year the Studs Midget football team were co-champions along with Lakewood of the Metro Park District league; one boy happily holds onto his individual trophy while others in the group share smiles. Photograph ordered by Gene Anderson, Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards;

Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath made a February, 1969, stop at the Stanley Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The Jets were the first American Football league team to defeat their National League counterpart in the Super Bowl. "Broadway Joe" was in town as the featured guest of the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame gathering on February 17, 1969. The sold-out event was held at the newly completed Tacoma Mall Theatre where celebrities Namath, San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, actor Hugh O'Brian, Oregon State coach Dee Andros and Olympic swimmer Kaye Hall mingled with hundreds of admirers and autograph seekers. Examining the construction of the dress shoe is believed to be John Hadl, San Diego Chargers and former Kansas collegiate star, who was also invited to the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored event. Mr. Hadl would eventually spend 16 years in the NFL, most of them with San Diego, and be elected to the Pro Bowl six times. Also pictured in discussion with the football stars is Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. ALBUM 9. (TNT 2-17-69, p. 10, 2-18-69, p. 1, 14) TPL-8708

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

A newly grown-in Fu Manchu mustache in place in February, 1969, professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath seems to be in earnest discussion with Joe Macaluso over which shoes to purchase at a Stanley's Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to Super Bowl victory. The Jets upset the National League's Baltimore Colts 16-7 and were the first American Football League team victors in this annual clash. Namath and actor Hugh O'Brian were the featured guests at the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission held on February 17, 1969. Holding a dress shoe is believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, right, who also was a guest at the T.A.C. function. ALBUM 9.

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

Thanks to the generosity of lumber magnate Ben Cheney, thousands of local youth were able to participate in group sports. The football team above, composed of 12-year-olds, was just one of the many outfitted by Mr. Cheney's sponsorship. Spaulding helmets, bright red jerseys, and white pants, were issued to team members. The two men in the October 26, 1969, group portrait were probably the team's coaches. Color photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Football--Tacoma--1960-1970; Footballs; Uniforms; Helmets;

Cheney Studs. Group portrait of the Cheney Studs, Pee Wee division, taken at the South End Boys Club on November 8, 1970. Sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, these 12-year-olds are dressed to play - complete with numbered uniforms and helmets. Standing with the boys are their coaches, including F. Jenkins. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Football--Tacoma--1970-1980; Football players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Uniforms;

Wood carving. Forever frozen in step is this football player carved from wood. He clutches a football against his chest as he races toward an unseen goal line. This carving may have been created by Tacoma master artist Art McKellips. There were apparently several other carvings done at the same time which depicted the art of golf, basketball and baseball among others. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Wood carvings; Football players;

Coverage of the annual football banquet for the youth leagues, ordered by the Cheney Lumber Company. In 1959, the banquet was held at Wellmans. Seated in the middle of the long row to the right and looking back over his shoulder at a youth is Ben Cheney. Cheney helped found the kids football program in the early fifties. Cheney poured money into the program enabling many youngsters to enjoy participating in the team sport.

Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

Ben Cheney's generosity permitted thousands of Tacoma youth to participate in sports including football, basketball and baseball. The local lumberman and philanthropist sponsored many teams under the name, Cheney Studs, and they were able to play at the facility named after Mr. Cheney, Cheney Field. View of two Cheney Studs Midget football players practicing the art of kicking while two coaches observe on November 1, 1958. These players are dressed in full uniform including the famous Cheney Studs logo on their jerseys. The Midget Studs met Lakewood at Clover Park High School for the league championship later that day. Both teams had a 4-0-1 record; the tie was with each other. Coincidentally, they tied again in the championship game at 6-6. They were scheduled to play again the following week but were declared co-champions with no additional playoffs. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 10-24-58, D-3; TNT 11-7-58, p. 25)

Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Armistice Day Navy-Army Football Game at Stadium Bowl. Over 8,000 people packed the stands on November 11, 1935 for a charity Army vs. Navy Armistice Day football game held at the Stadium Bowl. The Navy arrived from Bremerton on the ferry Kalakala and stayed to defeat the Army 6 to 2 on a field that resembled a sea of mud. For Bremerton Sun. (filed with Argentum) (see D410 for more pictures of the same event)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The coaching staff for the 1935 Bremerton High School Wildcats reviewed plays on September 4, 1935, preparing for the opening game on the 21st. Pictured left to right are Assistant Coaches Leonard Kelly, Lloyd Critser and Charles Jones, while Head Coach Harold Shidler maps out a play in the loose dirt. (filed with Argentum) (Bremerton Sun 09-20-1935, pg. 1)

Football players--Bremerton--1930-1940; Athletes--Bremerton--1930-1940; Kelly, Leonard; Critser, Lloyd; Jones, Charles; Shidler, Harold;

Group picture of the 1935 Bremerton High School Wildcats, the local football team. The team was getting ready for the opening game on September 21, 1935. (filed with Argentum)

Football players--Bremerton--1930-1940; Athletes--Bremerton--1930-1940; Bremerton High School (Bremerton);

ca. 1939. Coach and three Orting High School football players standing near brick school building.

Orting High School (Orting); Football players--Orting;

Coach Al Dahlberg and young boy with three Puyallup High School football players. The 1939 Puyallup Vikings were the Puget Sound League Champions.

Puyallup High School (Puyallup); Football players--Puyallup; Dahlberg, Al;

ca. 1939. College of Puget Sound assistant football coach, Lou Grant. Grant also served as the head coach of the varsity basketball squad. The 1939 CPS football team finished near the bottom of the barrel of their division, but the basketball team finished at the top. (1940 CPS yearbook "The Tamanawas.")

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Grant, Lou; Coaches (Athletics)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

State Champion Fife High School Trojans tumble to the ground in a heap in this November 1939 portrait. The victorious Trojans won the State Class B Football Championship with a 7-0 victory over the favored Poulsbo Vikings. At the top of the pyramid is Pete Mello. Directly below are Pete Cereghino, Frank Spear and Milton Iida. 3rd Row: Seiichi Yamada, Bob Vinson and Frank Evancich. 4th Row: Kenji Yaguchi, Masaru Tamura, Yohei Sagami and Joe Trucco. Bottom row: Howard Bryan, Willie Haminishi, Tom Pruett and Ben Holdner. The Trojans, under the direction of Coach Bill Vinson, had a 10 game unbeaten season, and were the state's highest scoring team, scoring 328 points to their opponents' 19. Although much of the team was small and outweighed by their opponents, they were fast and agile. (T. Times 11/16/1939, pg. 19; 11/18/1939, pg. 13)

Fife High School (Fife); Spear, Frank; Football players--Fife;

ca. 1939. Group portrait of Fife High School football team, the Trojans. Coach Bill Vinson at far right rear. Player number 10 is Frank Spear, cited by the Tacoma Times as a player of the week. Half of the team is made up of Japanese-American players. Fife was having a very successful year, winning 9 straight games on their way to becoming the Pierce County B League Champions. They continued on to defeat the favored Poulsbo Vikings 7-0 to become the State Champions. Although the Trojan linemen were much outweighed, in one case by over 40 pounds; they were faster and more agile than their opponents. (T. Times 11/16/1939, pg. 19; 11/18/1939, pg. 13)

Fife High School (Fife); Vinson, Bill; Spear, Frank; Football players--Fife;

ca. 1939. Group portrait of Fife High School football team, the Trojans. Coach Bill Vinson at far right rear. Player number 10 identified as Frank Spear. Approximately half of the team is made up of Japanese Americans. The 1939 Trojans were the State Class B Football Champions. They were also the state's highest scoring team; finishing the season with 328 points and a ten game unbeaten streak. (T.Times 11/16/39, pg. 19; 11/18/39, pg. 13)

Fife High School (Fife); Vinson, Bill; Spear, Frank; Football players--Fife;

Unidentified player #70 of the Stadium High School varsity football team. During the season, the #70 jersey was worn by left tackle Bill Gustafson. The Tigers, undefeated the previous two years, would suffer some setbacks but still manage to retain their city title.

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Unidentified player #66 of the Stadium High School varsity football team. During the season, #66 was worn by Stadium's crack ball toter Marion (Johnny) Klarich. Playing left tackle, Klarich was one of the stars of the team. At the end of the season, he was also placed on the first-string All Cross-State eleven.

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

On March 25, 1937, over 12,000 fans turned out at the Stadium Bowl to watch the annual Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game. This was a view of the south side of the Big Bowl as the teams prepared to put the ball into play. Spectators filled the concrete bleachers. The undefeated Stadium Tigers won 34-0, clinching the City Title for them for the 4th straight year, and making them champions of the newly formed Cross-State League. Structures adjacent to the stadium and high school are visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg.1).

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);