Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;

In jest, William Gazecki was wrapped in resplendent robes and crowned the new " king" of the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 12, 1963. Four TAC officers posed with their newly elected president as one member places a gilded crown on his head. William Larson, Peter Stojack, Marv Tommervik and Bob Danhausere form a half-circle around William Gazecki . A more traditional picture of this group was chosen to run in the February 17, 1963, edition of the News Tribune. The TAC is a local volunteer-run sports and civic booster organization. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 2-17-63, B-10)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Crowns; Larson, William C.; Stojack, Peter; Tommervik, Marv; Danhausere, Robert; Gazecki, William;

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney with catcher Tom Haller during a March, 1963, spring training visit to the Tacoma team's parent club, the San Francisco Giants. The S.F. Giants were the defending National League champions and conducted spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller broke in with the S.F. Giants in 1961 and stayed with them through the 1967 season. He then was a Los Angeles Dodger from 1968-1971 before ending his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1972. Statistics indicate that he played a total of 1,294 games during his 12 year career with a batting average of .257. The tall (6'4") Haller was a former quarterback for the University of Illinois. ALBUM 9.

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Haller, Tom, 1937-2004; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Same as C137871-1 without Studs logo in upper left corner. Local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney has donned a Giants uniform; he is standing next to baseball star Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants. Mr. Cheney had journeyed to Arizona in March, 1963, and was present during the Giants' spring training. He was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The picture with Willie Mays may have been taken in late March, 1963, when the two teams played an exhibition game. Mr. Cheney was permitted to act as first base coach for the Big League team for a couple innings. The minor league Tacoma Giants swatted their Big Brothers 10-9 with a thrilling come-from-behind ninth inning. ALBUM 9. TPL-1399 (TNT 3-28-63, B-5)

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Mays, Willie, 1931-; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney with future Hall of Famer Willie Mays during a late March, 1963, spring training visit to the Tacoma team's parent club, the San Francisco Giants. The Big League Giants played spring ball in Arizona. The Tacoma team also took their spring training in Arizona in the Casa Grande area. This photograph may have been taken on March 27, 1963, as Mr. Cheney's team took on their Big Brothers in a thrilling slugfest. The Tacoma Giants staged a 7-run rally in the ninth inning to edge the parent San Francisco Giants 10-9. Mr. Cheney put on a suit and served as first base coach for the Big Club for a couple of innings. He was reportedly in a state of exultation over "his" team's victory. ALBUM 9. (TNT 3-28-63, B-5)

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Mays, Willie, 1931-; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath with two men soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in 1969's Super Bowl III. The young Pennsylvania native was one of the featured guests at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show on February 17, 1969. Mr. Namath, who had recently re-grown his Fu Manchu mustache after being paid $10,000 to shave it off for a commercial, had journeyed to Stanley's Shoe store during his stay in Tacoma to try on shoes. The man in the center of this photograph has been identified as Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. Man farthest to the right is possibly John Hadl, Pro Bowler, and longtime quarterback of the San Diego Chargers. ALBUM 9.

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

Broadway Joe Namath of the New York Jets was in town in mid-February, 1969, as one of the featured guests of the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. His football team had just won the 3rd Super Bowl played, as the confident University of Alabama product had predicted. Namath, 2nd from left, stands with hands in pockets, along with three other men. Man to the farthest right is believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl. A six-time Pro-Bowler, Mr. Hadl would spend 16 years in the NFL and be inducted in the College Hall of Fame. "Irish" Pat McMurtry, Tacoma boxing legend, has his arm around Mr. Hadl. Hank Semmern of the TAC is at the extreme left of the photograph. The Hall of Fame gala would be completely sold out, according to Clay Huntington, chairman of the event, but fans not able to attend the February 17, 1969, show would be able to watch the proceedings on a tape delayed basis on Channel 13, KTVW. All 500 seats reserved for children had been sold as well. Kaye Hall, 17-year-old Wilson student and Olympic gold medalist in swimming, would be named State Athlete of the Year the same evening. ALBUM 9. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; McMurtry, Pat; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Semmern, Hank; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma);

Football players. July is none too early to prepare for the upcoming football season as these two young players can attest. Both Eastside boys are partially clad in football gear, including shoulder pads, helmet and football pants. Hooks and shelves behind the boys are filled with various football paraphernalia. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.

Football players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Football--Tacoma--1970-1980; Footballs;

Rainy days did not keep customers away from the Bowlero Lanes, 3852 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. in Lakewood. This early December, 1968, photograph shows a partially full parking lot outside the bowling alley, and was used in a December 5, 1968, News Tribune ad. The bowling center, located near the Sears suburban store, was announcing the gala opening of a new restaurant and coffee shop. The menu featured a delicious salad bar and Henning's famous 9 oz. broiler steak for only $3.95. Bowling was still very popular in the 1960's with league results reported in the daily newspapers. Bowlero Lanes was open for business 24 hours a day with 32 lanes available. Another feature was the new expanded billiard area. Photograph ordered by Bowlero Lanes. (TNT ad 12-5-68, B-2)

Bowlero Lanes (Lakewood); Bowling alleys--Lakewood--1960-1970; Parking lots--Lakewood;

ca. 1927. Undated photograph circa 1927 of baseball team believed to be Stadium High School's, ordered on June 7, 1976, by Gus J. Paine Insurance. Team members are wearing a variety of striped uniforms; one wears a cap with the letter "T" above the bill while another tall player, standing next to coach L. Lynn Deal, has the letter "T" visible on his jersey. Standing at the extreme right is believed to be Gus Paine, later a prominent Tacoma sportsman and businessman. Mr. Paine played semi-professional baseball for the Cammarano Brothers for several years and also played in various baseball leagues in the late 1920s and 1930s. (TNT 4-14-83, E-12 -obituary)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms;

Members of baseball team associated with the A. Mirenta & Co., Inc., most of whom are wearing striped uniforms, pose outside the company's office in possibly the late 1920's or 1930's. Company president August Mirenta is believed to be the man dressed in suit and tie in back row. Many Tacoma businesses sponsored athletic teams for several decades as a means to foster camaraderie and goodwill among employees. Gus Paine, who according to his obituary was an "avid baseball fan," is believed to be seated first row, extreme right. Mr. Paine, a prominent sports figure and local businessman, played in several baseball leagues in his youth. He also spent two years as a catcher for the House of David team. He was heavily involved in civic responsibilities with membership in the K Street Businessmen's Assn., Sons of Italy, Fircrest Golf Club, Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tacoma Elks Lodge and the Tacoma-Pierce County Independent Insurance Agents Assn., among others. Photograph ordered on June 7, 1976, by Gus J. Paine Insurance. (TNT 4-14-83, E-12-obituary)

Baseball players--Tacoma; Uniforms;

Studio portrait of a boxer. Roger McCane has his gloved fists up in a traditional boxing pose when photographed in early January of 1979. He would be participating in the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament to be held on February 3, 1979, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McCane, Roger;

T.A.C. officials and guests. Husky quarterback Sonny Sixkiller (back row, third from right) and three of his teammates paid a visit to the Tacoma Athletic Commission on December 3, 1970. T.A.C. members seated (left to right) are: Hank Semmern, Tom Paine, professional golfer Ken Still, and president Hal Brotman. Forrest Rodgers (extreme right) is in the back row along with Sonny Sixkiller and his teammates. Teammates Rank Baty, Ace Bulger and Rick Huget are all graduates of Washington high schools. (teammates order unknown) Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT article 12-8-70, p. 16)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Sixkiller, Sonny; Semmern, Hank; Paine, Tom; Still, Ken; Brotman, Hal; Rodgers, Forrest; Baty, Rank; Bulger, Ace; Huget, Rick;

Tacoma Twins' catcher Glenn Borgmann was one of 16 players involved in providing personalized instruction to young Tacoma fans on May 20, 1972, as the team in conjunction with Carling Brewery offered a two-hour baseball clinic at Cheney Stadium. It appears that the 1291 youngsters in attendance were divided into smaller groups each headed by a Tacoma Twin. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16, TNT 5-21-72, D-1)

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Borgmann, Glenn; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Back of Photo:
Cheney Stadium
Photograph by Bruce Larson

Back of Photo:
Peck Field

In April of 1935, Paradise on Mount Rainier was home to the national downhill and slalom competitions. This was the first time that this major skiing event had ever been held in the west. Seventy skiers were scheduled to compete. The flags of four of the competing nations waved proudly above the snow. They are the flags of, left to right, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.The men's alpine competition was won by Austrian Hannes Schroll who delighted the crowd of spectators by yodeling as he sped down the course. Stock negative.

Skiers--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Flags;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne ("Skit") Smith (later Babson) smile broadly for the camera on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever Women's Downhill and Slalom national titles. The national championships were held for the first time in the west April 13-14 at Mount Rainier's Paradise Valley. The competition was also part of the trials for the 1936 Olympic team but at that time women did not compete in the Olympics in either event. The sisters, who had only been skiing for a couple of years, had attended Stadium High School, the University of Washington and were members of the Washington Ski Club. (T. Times, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne "Skit" Smith posed for photographers on Mount Rainier on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever women's National championships in downhill (Ellis-Ayr) and slalom (Skit) on April 13-14. The two day national competition, held at Paradise on Mt. Rainier, attracted skiers from throughout the United States and Canada and from several European countries including Switzerland and the Netherlands. The pair had only been skiing a couple of years but were devoted to the sport. They skied every weekend by hiking up Mount Rainier to the glaciers where there was snow year round. The all around athletes also rode horses, played tennis and golf, and swam. (TNT 4/15/1935, pg. 1) TPL-9424

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethelynn; Smith, Ellis-Ayr;

Phil Taylor of Victoria, wearing sports jacket, tie and knickers, was in town on June 19, 1925 to compete in the Pacific Northwest Golf Association open tournament at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club links. (TNT 6/19/1925, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Golf--Tacoma--1920-1930; Golfers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Golfers--Clothing & dress--1920-1930; Taylor, Phil;

ca. 1939. Football banquet given Stadium athletes by Active Club circa 1939. Large group of men and teens around tables looking to the right while possibly watching a film. Two large arched windows and potted tree in background. (T. Times, Sports)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Active Club (Tacoma);

Three boys relax and clown, ready for the 1938 Tacoma Tigers season opening game. In 1937, organized baseball had returned to Tacoma after a 15 year absence. Over 6,000 fans poured into the stands to support their local 1937 Western International League champions, the Tacoma Tigers.

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);

A trio of lawn bowlers, (l to r) George Fairbaine and Charles P. Middleton of Seattle and Eugene McNeal of Tacoma, crouch to measure the distance between a bowling ball and the "jack" on the green in Wright Park. On May 28, 29 & 30, 1938, eighty five lawn bowlers from Bellingham, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma competed in the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association's holiday tournament in Wright Park . The Scottish game had developed a large following in the Pacific Northwest and Wright Park held one of the finest manicured playing fields in the region. McNeal of Tacoma won the singles title with Fairbairn finishing third. The object of the game is to roll your ball as close to the "jack", the small white ball, as possible. (T. Times, 6/1/1938, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1935. City League individual pictures, baseball player on the Cammarano Brothers team; possibly the coach.

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Skiers waiting in line and watching a skier maneuver through the snow. Flags mark the ski trail.

Sports - Winter Sports - Skiing

ca. 1935. Alt Heidelberg football team at play. Wooden bleachers and fence are in the background. Neighborhood buildings and a church steeple are in view. Alt Heidelberg was a beer manufactured at Columbia Breweries in Tacoma.

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Soldiers, sailors, and marines from Fort Lewis and Bremerton faced off against each other in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl for a charity Army-Navy football game on Armistice Day, November 11,1935. Taps for the war dead preceded the gridiron conflict, and a 21-gun salute closed the event. Although a cold rain fell throughout the day, dampening the enthusiasm of the crowd and turning the field into a sea of mud, the Fort Lewis men put up a valiant struggle against the Navy team. In the end, neither team had much to show for their time or effort. The final score was Navy 6, Army 2. (T.Times 11/12/1935)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States;

Annual Armistice Day Navy and Army football game at Stadium Bowl, November 11, 1935. Football players waiting on the bench. After a hard fought game on a sea of mud, the Navy emerged victorious 6-2. (Bremerton Sun).

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

Army-Navy football game at Stadium Bowl. A large unit of Army troops stand at attention and salute stadium spectators from the center field of Stadium Bowl. Over 10,000 people were present to watch the second annual Army-Navy football game held in Tacoma; for the second year in a row, Navy was triumphant. Navy defeated Army 14-0 before the eyes of Rear Admiral T.T. Craven and Fort Lewis commander, Maj. Gen. David L. Stone. (Bremerton Sun, T. Times 11-12-36, p. 1, 17).

Military parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Saluting--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Cammarano Beverages "Special Delivery" truck in front of Firestone Auto Supply and Service Store. For Davis Motor Company, Diamond T Trucks. (date on photograph may be 03-12-1937) (filed with Argentum)

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Firestone Auto Supply & Service Store (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Davis Motor Truck Company (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Diamond T trucks;