This was the Lincoln High School football team, about to conclude their 1953 season. Senior players would graduate in 1954. According to the 1954 Lincolnian yearbook, the team placed first in the City and second in the Cross State League. After the end of the season, fullback Jim Jones (#80 -third row) was selected as the South Tacoma Kiwanis "inspiration award' winner by his fellow players in an almost unanimous vote. Head football coach was Norm Mayer, right, and Harry Bird, to Mayer's left, was the line coach. (1954 Lincolnian, p. 55+) This photograph was taken for the school annual but not used in the publication. TPL-10259

Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Mayer, Norm; Bird, Harry; Jones, Jim;

ca. 1939. Pacific Lutheran College football coach Clifford O. Olson. After the completion of the football season, Tacoma honored Olson by unanimously voting him Sportsman of the Year. The 1939 team finished with admirable record of 7 victories and 1 loss. They were co-champions of the new Washington Intercollegiate Conference and the Associated Press poll named them the Northwest's outstanding small college team. (1940 PLC yearbook "Saga")

Olson, Clifford; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Football--Parkland--1930-1940;

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;

Action shot of the Clover Park football team. Photograph taken on November 19, 1940.

Football--Lakewood--1940-1950; Football players--Lakewood--1940-1950; Clover Park High School (Lakewood);

Unidentified player on the Pacific Lutheran Football team.

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

Pacific Lutheran football team, players and coaches. Unidentified coach is believed to be football coach Baron Barofsky.

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

Ron Aubry (left) and Robert Collins were teammates on the Stadium High School football team in 1942. They were photographed at Stadium Bowl in September of 1942. Both boys were members of the Stadium Class of 1944. (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10450

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aubry, Ron; Collins, Robert; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bellarmine High School 1942 Football Squad. Thirty-one players, manager and coach Gordon Toner on field, school building in background. The first grid game was against the newly confident Lincoln High School on September 25, 1942. The Belles were defeated by the Abes 14-0. Pictured are, front row, left to right: Al Buhr, Jerry Knelleken, Louis Renner, LaVerne Mantineau, Jerry Barry, Joe Ferry, Harvey Collins, Tom Comantos and Pete Stefonie. Middle row- Jack Kelly, Frank Taylor, Ray Sullivan, Al Gallwas, Phil Brown, Bud Barnes, Ken Ruffo, Jim Burkehouse, Jack Hermson and Larry Donohue. Back row- John Kelly, Dick Carbone, Ed Oswald, Gene Mack, Cliff Schiesz, Jim O'Brien, Dean Biggs, Claude Knecht, Larry Rask, Dick Simpson, Jim Farrell, Al Fairhurst, Gordon Toner (Coach.)

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports;

Unidentified 1942 Bellarmine High School football player.

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports;

Frank W. Patrick was named athletic director and head coach of the CPS Loggers football team at the College of Puget Sound in 1946. He was a former University of Pittsburgh and National Pro All-American football star. He played with the Chicago Cardinals of the National Professional League in 1938 and 1939. At the 1937 Rose Bowl game, playing for the Univ. of Pittsburg, he carried the ball for two touchdowns and helped defeat the Huskies 21-0. Coach Patrick turned in his resignation after CPS's 1948 losing season. (Tamanawas, 1946)

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Patrick, Frank W.

Captain Everett Gust led his Stadium Tigers football team to victory in the 9th annual Grid-Go-Round sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. The football game on September 14, 1951, featured four Tacoma area football teams: Stadium, Clover Park, Lincoln and Bellarmine. Gust, a fullback, recovered a Lincoln fumble in the title match, which eventually led to the final score of 6-0. Coach Bob Levinson's Tigers were able to defend their Grid-Go-Round title and hoped to also defend their city league championship. Photograph ordered by Hugh Fotheringill, Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 9-9-51, C-12, TNT 9-15-51, p. 8)

Gust, Everett; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grid-Go-Round (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma);

The Lincoln Reserve football team is coached by Norm Mayer, varsity mentor, and Dan Lazare. This team is trained and coached with the varsity players, next year the reserve players hope to advance to the varsity team. Lincoln High School was getting ready for the big game on Thanksgiving Day, against Stadium High School. View of Lincoln Reserve football team at Lincoln Bowl, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/23/48, p. 13).

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma);

College of Puget Sound. The Loggers are ready to travel to San Jose, California, to play the San Jose Spartans October 1, 1948. L-R, Co-Captain Dick Hermsen, Yell Queen Cynthia Harris, Yell Duke Ed Hager, Coach John Heinrick, and Co-Captain Dick Brown are standing on the platform at Union Depot along with other people waiting for the train. The entire team would make the trip to get plenty of practice before the start of the Evergreen Conference season starting the next week. (T.Times, 10/1/1948, p.10)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heinrick, John; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. Jack Carbone played guard on the Pacific Lutheran College football team in 1947.

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

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. Gene Strandress and Lowell Knutson jump to throw a long pass. Coach Marv (Thommy) Tommervik observes while the team practices at Pacific Lutheran College on September 10, 1947. They are preparing for their opening game in Tacoma Stadium September 20, 1947, against St. Olaf of Northfield, Minnesota, champions of their league in 1946. (T.Times, 9/16/1947, p.11)

Strandress, Gene; Knutson, Lowell; Tommervik, Marv; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Football--Parkland--1940-1950; Football players--Parkland; Coaches (Athletics)--Parkland--1940-1950;

Bellarmine High School football team is celebrating a victory after playing on a wet and muddy field. Their victory brings them closer to the state title and championship. In spite of the heavy downpour the game was fairly well attended and Bellarmine did not let down their fans. View of muddy football players leaving the field after winning the game.

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Mud--Tacoma; Victory celebrations--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);