Festivities continued at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Guests appear to be conversing quietly at the head table while two men stand at the podium. The man to the right is Jack Connor, octogenarian boxing manager and one of the five honored as inductees in the Tacoma-Pierce County Hall of Fame. Present during the February 6, 1963, awards banquet were Governor Albert D. Rosellini (seated with head bowed next to trophy), baseball star Maury Wills, Ben Cheney and William Gazecki, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Comedian Joe E. Brown, principal speaker, is seated on the right side of the head table. (TNT 2-7-63, C-7)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Rosellini, Albert D.; Wills, Maury; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Gazecki, William; Connor, Jack;

Guest Maury Wills poses next to lumber magnate Ben Cheney (L) during the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Washington State Sports Hall of Fame awards gathering on February 6, 1963. Wills, a shortstop with the L.A. Dodgers, had broken Ty Cobb's record of 97 stolen bases in one season, with a grand total of 104, in 1962. He would be a major force in his fourteen years with the Dodgers, helping them to three World Series. Wills was named the 1962 Athlete of the Year by Associated Press sportswriters and would also be honored as the Washington State Athlete of the Year that evening. During the off-season, Wills made his home in Spokane. (TNT 2-3-63, B-7)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Wills, Maury; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

An appreciative crowd greets the speaker, master of ceremonies Clay Huntington, at the podium during the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame gathering on February 6, 1963. The event was filmed by KTNT-TV. The Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1960 by the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Clay Huntington, well known Northwest sportscaster and radio station owner. Those elected to membership in the Hall of Fame must be at least five years in retirement from the sport involved. Members are recognized for their outstanding sports accomplishments and contributions. The fourth State Sports Hall of Fame gathering combined the State and Tacoma-Pierce County Halls of Fame. (TNT 2-3-63, B-7) (www.washingtonsportshalloffame.com/index2.htm)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Awards;

In this photograph from November, 1963, eight Cheney Studs Courteers demonstrate some of the sparkling personality and court wizardry that made them a popular half-time attraction at high school, AAU, and college basketball games throughout the Pacific Northwest. Founded by Ben Cheney, and sponsored by the Cheney Lumber Company, the Courteers performed a 9.5 minute routine that showcased coordinated ball handling and dribbling set to lively rock n' roll music. They appeared on national television during half-time of the January 25 & January 26, 1964, Lakers-Warriors basketball games. Kneeling from L-R are: Billy Herd, Pete Wonders and Eddie Herd. Standing: George Brown, Tom Rogers, Rickey Stewart, Denny Karna and Jeff Smith. The boys ranged in age from 11-15 and stood 4'5" - 4'11." Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 1-19-64, B-13)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

This group of older teens played amateur baseball under the Cheney Studs name during the summer of 1967. Mr. Cheney sponsored many teams in a variety of sports and baseball was no exception. There was more than one Cheney Studs baseball team in the local area with varying ages and abilities. Future major leaguer Ron Cey is third from left, second row. He would go on to a long career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and finishing up with the Oakland Athletics. NW League and State champs, these players would go onto Regionals in Portland in August and advance to national playoffs by defeating Oregon champions A.B. Smith. The Studs had a sparkling 37-1 record prior to the American Amateur Baseball Congress tournament held in Battle Creek, MI in September. The 1966 Seattle Tacoma Cheney Studs had been the national runners-up in the AABC title game. Tacomans Ron Cey, Rick Austin, Earl Hyder and Skip Gillis were in their final seaon with the Studs. Starting in 1968, Tacoma-area residents would not be permitted to play for Seattle-based AABC teams. (TNT 8-15-1967, p. 24-article, TNT 8-25-1967, p. 27-names of players & photograph; TNT 8-28-1967, D-8-article; various other sports articles in TNT)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cey, Ron;

One of Ben Cheney's Cheney Studs baseball teams posed for a group shot in July of 1967. Thousands of youngsters were given the opportunity to play a variety of sports thanks to the generosity of well-known lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney. All of the teams used the Cheney Studs logo on their uniforms.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

Captured in print for all time is a portrait of youth in action. Six Cheney Studs Courteers are pictured in various poses, mimicking the frenetic activity of their half-time basketball shows. The junior high school boys would entertain crowds gathered at high school, college and even professional games, with their high potency basketball skills. They were sponsored by lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

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;

Four-year-old Suzy Jo, a student at the Hilltop Day Care Training Center for Mentally Retarded Children, has her eyes fixed on the bouncing ball while three adults kneel behind her in the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 15, 1969. Mel Jackson, associate director of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center, jubilantly holds aloft two fund raising tickets to the upcoming UPS-University of Alaska basketball game to be held on February 1, 1969, at the Fieldhouse. Next to Mr. Jackson are Al Roberts, UPS co-chairman of the upcoming charity event, and Mrs. Marguerite Cousins, director of the training center. Proceeds from the benefit match would go to the help students at the learning center. The following year would see the nationally-ranked cagers from UPS play California's University of Redlands, with ticket sales directed once more to the learning center. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-26-69, D-14, TNT 1-25-70, B-6)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Girls--Tacoma--1960-1970; Jackson, Mel; Roberts, Al; Cousins, Marguerite; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Clubhouse at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. In June of 1909, a fire that started in the servant's quarters burned the original clubhouse to the ground. This regal building, known as the "Grand Old Lady," rose in its place. It was best remembered for its gracious spiral staircase in the entrance hall, shown in many wedding portraits. A fire gutted this structure in 1961. TPL-5741 ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--Buildings; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The entrance drive to the exclusive members only Tacoma Country and Golf Club, located on the shores of American Lake. The club relocated to this location in 1904. It is the oldest continuously operating Country Club west of the Mississippi.("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

Many companies sponsored bowling teams in the 1950's as a way to promote unity and goodwill among employees. There were numerous leagues in the Tacoma area, both for men and women. This large group, photographed on April 16, 1957, consisted of employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. These women look ready to bowl, even in long skirts. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;

Maintaining a sportsmanlike atmosphere at all athletic events and encouraging participation in all sports at all levels were two of the primary goals of the Lettermen's Club at Lincoln High School. Three of the officers during the 1956-57 school year were: (l to r) Jerry Cecchi, sergeant at arms; Dick Pruett, Vice-president; and Roger Coleman, secretary-treasurer. All three lettered in two or more sports during their high school careers. For some reason club president Herm Magnuson was not photographed with the other officers. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. (1957 Lincolnian, p. 107)

Athletes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cecchi, Jerry; Pruett, Dick; Coleman, Roger; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Famed long-distance swimmer, Bert Thomas, a 275-pound ex-Marine frogman who conquered the Strait of Juan de Fuca, checks the January, 1956, temperature of Puget Sound. Dick Beckman and Betty Jane McGuigan hold a thermometer sign registering 45 degrees. On the night of January 26th, Thomas attempted the first long-distance, cold water, midwinter endurance swim in history and the first 18 nautical mile swim between Seattle and Tacoma. After 1 hour and 20 minutes in the water, Thomas ended his swim due to frigid winds and 42 degree choppy waters. For the Tacoma Athletic Commission. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Swimmers; Thomas, Bert; Thermometers; McGuigan, Betty Jane; Beckman, Dick;

Feet and fists were flying during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, it attracted 59 amateur boxers representing clubs in six major Northwest cities plus the military. Boxing was very popular in the 1950's in this region; local newspapers continually had articles and results of matches. View of two boxers in action with the referee keeping a close eye on the match. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Referees; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Golden Gloves tournament. The Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse January 20 & 21, 1956. They had expected between 75-80 entries; however, the final count was 59. Boxers from Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., Portland, Olympia and Everett in addition to the military represented their various athletic clubs or cities. Since 1956 was an Olympic year, many boxers hoped to attract the attention of U.S. and Canadian national team officials. View of two boxers in action; one is wearing the trunks of the Oregon A.A.U. The boxer to the right seems to have landed a telling blow to the head of his opponent. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. There was plenty of action for boxing fans at the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament held at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the event attracted 59 entrants; somewhat fewer than expected since the Fort Lewis boxers could not attend. Pictured here is believed to be Phil Moyer, representing the Portland Ramblers Club, whose left hook seems to startle his opponent. Moyer went on to win the 156 pound class with a decision over Henry Brown, USS Essex. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. The College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse was filled with boxing fans during the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament. 59 boxers participated in the two-day event in January, 1956, coming from as far away as Portland and Vancouver, B.C. There were nine different weight categories; only the bantamweight division was not represented. View of two boxers; man in dark trunks has just landed a shot to the jaw of his opponent while the referee watches intently. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

1956 Golden Gloves. The Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored amateur boxing tournament was held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. To pare down the field, preliminary fights were held on the 20th with semi-finals and the finals on the 21st. Nine champions were crowned in their respective weight categories with only the bantamweight division vacant. Here, eventual 165 pound champion Harvey Burke of Portland's Knott A.C. shows his form in pounding his opponent. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burke, Harvey;

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. Two boxers exchange simultaneous blows to the head during the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament finals at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse on January 21, 1956. The blond on the left is believed to be Lindy Lindmoser, representing the South Hill Club of Vancouver, B.C. His opponent is believed to be Willie Richardson of the Portland Ramblers Club. Richardson would be crowned the 178 pound champion. Guest referee Pat McMurtry, former Golden Gloves champion, watches the action. The boxing tournament was once again sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat;

Interiors Lakewood Ice Arena. Several young skaters and what appear to be instructors watch while a more experienced skater makes a graceful curve on a thin blade of steel. The building formerly known as the Oakes Ballroom and briefly as the Towers was purchased by developer Norton Clapp, future Weyerhaeuser chairman, in 1936 and converted into the Ice Arena in 1938. The building was remodeled to resemble a Swiss chalet with murals on the walls and a draped ceiling approximating clouds. The Lakewood Figure Skating Club at the Ice Arena produced many champions through the years. The building itself however went through some trying times. In 1948, the roof collapsed and the building had to be restored. There was a major remodel in 1959 and in 1974 a temporary closure by the fire marshalls. In October of 1982, the roof caved in once more, forcing the demolition of the historic building. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Lakewood industrialist Norton Clapp purchased the old Oakes dance pavilion on the shores of Steilacoom Lake in 1936, largely due to his wife's interest in ice skating. After two years as a private party place, it was remodeled to resemble a Swiss mountain chalet and opened to the public in 1938. It had parking space for 500, an attractive glass enclosed "Wirtschaft" (snack bar) and spectator seating for 600. The opening crowds were so large that the opening went on for 2 days. Over the years, the Lakewood Ice Arena became known as the "Home of Champions" due to the large number of world class figure skaters that its club produced. In 1974, the building was closed temporarily as a fire hazard. On Oct 1, 1982, the roof and the west wall collapsed; a few months later the building was demolished. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-9322

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former world heavyweight boxing champions Joe Louis, left, and Max Baer, right, with store owner E. L. Irwin during a May, 1958, appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store. Cliff Olson, PLU coach and athletic director; Frank Stojack, football player and wrestling champion; and Pat McMurtry, heavyweight boxing title contender, also participated in the autograph event. (TNT, 5/1/1958, p. C9). TPL-187. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances;Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, E.L.;

Eleven Reichhold Chemicals team members pose with the trophy honoring them as the commercial champions of the year in softball. Most of the men are wearing a RCI logo on their uniforms. Reichhold, like many other large companies, sponsored recreational teams for their employees. These men were part of the eighty employed by the company in 1958; the company had an annual payroll of $500,000. Plans were announced in November, 1958, to build a major phenol producing plant, necessary to plywood production, with a $1 million payroll and 150 added employees. Construction was to start the latter part of 1959. Photograph ordered by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (TNT 11-2-58, A-1)

Softball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Awards;

The Harold Stamey Insurance Agency sponsored several youth baseball teams in the 1950's. This group of boys played out of the South End Boys Club in the Metro Parks Junior League division in the summer of 1958. Standing with the players are Mr. and Mrs. Stamey and two other adults, Chris Matz and Dick Palamidessi, who were probably coaches. The striking note about this group picture is that three boys' pictures were cut and pasted into the group shot: Elvin La Coursiere and Gene Rasmussen on both ends of kneeling row and Tom Bishop, fourth from the right in the rear. The names of the Stamey Insurance team were listed at the bottom of the team photo: Front row (L-R): Elvin La Coursiere, Curtis Stamey, Dennis Waliter, Frank Hahn, Allen Burmester, Russ Fagering, Mike Endicott and Gene Rasmussen. Back row (L-R): Chris Matz, Dick Palamidessi, Chris Schmidt, Bob Gagnon, Darrell Matz, Tom Bishop, Bruce Nichols, Mrs. Harold Stamey, Harold Stamey. The Stamey team edged the East Side Boys Club 5-4 to wrap up the Junior South boys baseball title that summer. Pitchers Rasmussen and Nichols combined for a two-hitter. Photograph ordered by Harold Stamey. (TNT 8-1-58, p. 20)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis;

This South End Boys Club baseball team was sponsored by Stamey Insurance. Mr. and Mrs. Stamey and two additional coaches, Chris Matz and Dick Palamidessi, posed with the players in the summer of 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. This was believed to be the original group portrait; see C116559-1 for touched-up version when three boys, who were probably missing the day of the photograph, had their pictures cut and pasted into the group shot. From L-R in the front row: Curtis Stamey, Dennis Waltier, Frank Hahn, Allen Burmester, Russ Fagering and Mike Endicott. In the back row, L-R: Chris Matz, Dick Palamidessi, Chris Schmidt, Bob Gagnon, Darrell Matz, Bruce Nichols and Mr. and Mrs. Stamey. Photograph ordered by Harold Stamey.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis;

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;

In September, 1955, the Richards Studio accompanied local philanthropist and baseball aficionado Ben Cheney to Battle Creek, Michigan. His Cheney Studs team, composed of local high school and college level stars, participated in baseball tournaments there. Mr. Cheney is shown in this September 21, 1955, photograph sharing the 1955 Coca Cola Bottler Award for the American Baseball Congress Northwest Sectional Champions with Studs player George Grant. The table beside him is filled with smaller individual trophies to be given to team members; two of the Studs, Bob Jacobs and Dick Minice, hold trophies in their hands. Coach Joe Budnick is holding the large trophy awarded to the Studs as National Runner-up in the A.B.C. tournament. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 9-25-55, B-14)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Awards; Budnick, Joe; Grant, George; Jacobs, Bob; Minice, Dick;

Halfback Harry Harper has a firm grip on the football in this November 1, 1955, photograph. Harper, of Lincoln High School, was a "clutch" player known for his hard running, jarring blocking and alert defense. He scored 10 touchdowns his senior year and was named to the All-Capitol League first team. He was also honored by the Tacoma Lions Club with their second annual "Outstanding Player" award. He was an instrumental part in Lincoln's 19-0 victory over Stadium on Thanksgiving Day 1955. (1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 50, p. 53-54)

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Harper, Harry;

Ben Cheney gets a geography lesson as a member of the 1955 Cheney Studs baseball team smilingly points to South Africa on the globe as the next destination for some members of the amateur team. Mr. Cheney loved sports and sponsored a variety of teams. His Cheney Studs had recently returned from Battle Ground, Michigan, as the national runner-up in the American Baseball Congress tournament. Team members are photographed wearing their new letterman jackets. Three of the Studs were named to the fourteen-man United States amateur baseball team chosen to tour South Africa on a three month goodwill, exhibition tour. From left to right are: Ben Cheney, Pitcher Monte Geiger of Bremerton, First baseman Ron Dodge of Olympia, Coach Joe Budnick, and Shortstop Dick Naish of Seattle. Geiger, Dodge and Naish were selected out of thousands of applicants. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 10-6-55, B-9, TNT 11-5-55, p. 8. TNT 11-7-55, p. 22)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Globes;