Bellarmine basketball stars. Group portrait of five team members holding basketballs. The player in the second row, to the right, is reported to be Robert A. O'Connell. The player at the top is believed to be team captain Richard "Dick" Smith. Wearing uniform #4 is Clare Normile, center for the team. In 1940 there were only three teams that vied for the City championship--Stadium, Lincoln and Bellarmine. That March the season ended in a three-way tie with all teams sporting a 4-4 record. Bellarmine, once thought out of the race, had beaten Stadium 30-28 in two overtimes to force a two-game playoffs. On March 11th Bellarmine defeated Lincoln on Lincoln's home court 25-23. The following evening saw Stadium thump Bellarmine 31-20 to send the Tigers to the state championships. (T. Times; TNT- various articles on team incl. 3-9-40, p. 10; 3-10-40, p. 13-A; 3-12-40, p. 12; 3-13-40, p. 18)

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Normile, Clare;

Bellarmine High School Midget Football Team. Bellarmine, coached by Leo Eckstein, won the city championship in 1938, 14 to 7 against Lincoln High School. Midget class players were 132 pounds and under. The last city midget championship was played in 1940. Back row, tossing footballs left to right, Bud Peluso, Jim Fitzpatrick, John O'Brien and Roccy Spadafore. Front row, left to right, Dick Hutt, Joe Dargan, John Grasy, Pete Pagni, Joe Devlin, Caesar DeVita and Jack Pickard. (T. Times, 11/22/1938, p. 11).

Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports;

Bellarmine High School Athletic Field. For Bob Weaver, Bellarmine Star.

Education - Schools - Private Schools - Catholic Schools - Bellarmine Preparatory School

Bellarmine High School Athletic Field showing goal post. For Bob Weaver, Bellarmine Star.

Education - Schools - Private Schools - Catholic Schools - Bellarmine Preparatory School

Bellarmine Cadet Exercises. JROTC boys formed in ranks on field. Wooden, one-story buildings frame the background. These exercises occurred on May 5, 1938.

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officer Training Corps (Tacoma);

Bellarmine Cadet Exercises. In the foreground are four JROTC students with flags, two military officers and a civilian while others look on. The cadet exercises occurred on May 5, 1938 at Bellarmine High School. Also on that date promotions in the ROTC unit were announced, ranging from privates first class to cadet captains. (T.Times 5-5-38, p. 12-article on promotions)

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Reserve Officers Training Corps. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Flags--United States;

A group of young men working with garden tools on May 11, 1936 at Bellarmine High School's annual campus clean-up event. 185 students took part in the annual event. School building by Hill, Mock, DeForrest and Griffin, Architects, 1928, in background. (T. Times 5/12/1936, pg. 5)

Church schools--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Members of the R.O.T.C. at Bellarmine High School march in formation and the color guard carry the R.O.T.C. and United States flags in this photograph from May of 1950. The rifle team brought considerable publicity to the private school and city by winning second place in the Sixth Army intercollegiate and interscholastic rifle matches, small bore; second place in the William Randolph Hearst rifle competition in the Army area; and sixth place in the entire United States. Bellarmine won 10 out of 11 pistol matches with other high school R.O.T.C. units against which they competed. Ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission, E. Metcalf. (TNT, 5/12/1950, p.D-7)

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Rifles; Flags; Cadets--Tacoma;

Presentation of medals to members of Bellarmine High School Rifle Team. By the close of the 1940's, Europe and Asia were at peace, but the R.O.T.C. program continued to function as an important segment of the school's activities. The R.O.T.C. remained involved in the daily activities of the school: for example, a salute at the breaking of the bread, and sponorship of school dances held every year. Ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission, E. Metcalf. (A Heritage on Bellarmine Hill, Gregory C. Rathbone)

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Tacoma); Students; Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma;

Presentation of medals to members of Bellarmine High School Rifle Team. Members of the R.O.T.C. march in formation and the color guard carries the R.O.T.C. and United States flags. Bellarmine became the second high school in the State of Washington to secure a Junior Reserve Officer Taining Corps program in 1935. At that time the program served mainly as a vehicle to help students attend the high school. The Department of the Army detailed one officer and three enlisted men as instructors in the school's R.O.T.C. course. Ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission, E. Metcalf. (A Heritage on Bellarmine Hill, Gregory C. Rathbone; TNT, 5/12/1050, p.D-7))

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Tacoma); Students; Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Rifles; Flags; Cadets--Tacoma;

In March of 1949, Bellarmine High School journalists were given the opportunity to put their classroom education into practice by the Tacoma Times. In 1949, the journalism students in each of the area high schools worked as interns for the Tacoma Times for several weeks. Standing are (l to r): Mr. Neill R. Meany, S.J., advisor to the students, Tom Kornell, Dick Jensen, Harvey Beauchamp, Jim McGuigan, Jack Baker, Jim Loonan; Seated: Jay Merrick and John Harbottle. (T.Times, 2/13/1949, p.29) TPL-8573

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Church schools--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Meany, Neill; Kornell, Tom;

This was Bellarmine High School's varsity basketball team as photographed in the school's gym in December of 1947. The team was coached by Andy Slatt. Team members included Pat Olsen, Dick Jensen, Don Hermsen, Norm Smith and Otto Fink. The month of December would prove to be a successful one for the Lions as they would record victories on the road against Gonzaga (Prep), Shelton and defending state champs, Pasco. (T.Times 12-19-47, p. 10-article only)

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Bellarmine High School's annual Bazaar offered students and their guests a wide variety of activities. The event included all types of booths, a fish pond with wonderful prizes, concession stands, games and a theatrical production put on by students. The evening included a chance to win two tickets to the Rose Bowl game in California, transportation was included. View of students in costumes on stage, park scene in background.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Bazaars--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Costumes; Actors--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bellarmine's annual Bazaar was a day filled with a variety of activities, including a theatrical production and an evening semi formal dance. The event was sponsored by the Philomathea Club. View of Bellarmine High School students and their guests, it appears they are standing behind the stage back drop, the girls are wearing ball dresses and the boys are wearing tuxedoes.

Events--Tacoma; Bazaars--Tacoma; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Bouquets; Tuxedoes; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bellarmine's Bazaar included many types of activities and ended with a winter semi formal dance.The event was sponsored by the Philomathea Club. View of Bellarmine High School students with their guests, these students participated in Bellarmine's annual Bazaar, Bellarmine student in background is wearing a lettermen's sweater.

Varsity lettermen's clubs; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bazaars--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Actors--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Bellarmine High School won their first city high school championship in 20 years of competition in November of 1947 when they beat Lincoln High School 14-0 at the Tacoma Stadium. It was their first win ever against Lincoln. Their victory over Lincoln guaranteed that the traditional Thanksgiving Day game between Lincoln and Stadium would be the first in 20 years that would not determine the winner of the Tacoma crown.

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

Bellarmine High School Football team won the 1947 State championship. The Bellarmine Lions season was over but the returning students were looking forward to next year's team. View of the football team, this photo was taken for the "Cage," Bellarmine's yearbook.

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

Bellarmine High School is celebrating their football victory, they are the 1947 city champions. A group of cheerleaders from St. Leo's are participating in the school's pep rally, they will perform for the winning team. Some of the cheerleaders are wearing St. Leo's sweaters and some are wearing Bellarmine's. Both schools are joining together to celebrate the football victory.

Victory celebrations--Tacoma; Victories--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma; Cheerleading--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma);

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);

"The Lion", Bellarmine High School's monthly newspaper was distributed throughout the year to students, but also appeared in the annual yearbook. All issues were included in the last section of the "Cage". "The Lion" helped students remember all past events that went on throughout the year. View of Bellarmine student getting ready to distribute the March 1, 1947 edition of "The Lion".

Newspapers--Tacoma; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Religious education--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Bellarmine High School's annual yearbook, the "Cage" had a whole section dedicated to their sports teams. View of a basketball, football, baseball and track team members, photo taken at Bellarmine's athletic field. Bellarmine also had a boxing league, and all sports had a varsity squad and first team.

Religious education--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports;

Bellarmine High School had many of the "Cage", their annual yearbook, photos taken by the Turner Richards Studio. The cage included class pictures, activities, clubs, sports and issues of "The Lion", their monthly school newspaper. View of Bellarmine High School band, twenty three band members and a Bellarmine faculty member.

Youth bands--Tacoma; Religious education--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Bellarmine High School provided a Catholic education for boys. Father Henry J. Schultheis, S. J. was President of Bellarmine and Father J. C. Meckes, S. J. was Principal during this school year. View of Bellarmine High School students and teacher getting their class or club photo taken for the 1947 school yearbook, "The Cage". The photo was taken in the school library, a Bellarmine poster is on wall above books.

Priests--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Libraries--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Religious education--Tacoma;

The Annual Military Ball at Bellarmine was sponsored by the Bellarmine Reserve Officers Training Corps, over 200 people attended the dance. The school gymnasium was decorated with flags and native greens. View of R.O.T.C. cadets and their dates that attended the Military Ball (T. Times, 1/25/47, p. 10).

Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Annual Military Ball at Bellarmine was sponsored by the Bellarmine Reserve Officers Training Corps, over 200 people attended the dance. The school gymnasium was decorated with flags and native greens. View of R.O.T.C. cadets and their dates that attended the Military Ball (T. Times, 1/25/47, p. 10).

Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bellarmine High School football team at the scrimmage line.

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Church schools--Tacoma;

Bellarmine High School, celebrating the ceremony of the Holy Ghost. Women seated in the pews are wearing scarves, shawls and hats to cover their heads during the service.

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bellarmine ROTC. Two Bellarmine students train with a soldier on an automatic machine gun.

Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Tacoma); Students; Machine guns;

Bellarmine football player, Joe Retallick.This photograph was taken Joe's freshman year. He was a member of the 1947 champion team, and is a member of Bellarmine's Hall of Fame. Other students stand in the background while player number 56 poses, ready to defend his teammates. TPL-7190

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

In 1946, Bellarmine was one of only two Washinton high schools that offered junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Each day a full class period was devoted to some phase of theoretical or practical military training. Studies included first aid, marksmanship, map reading, and the fundamentals of marching. Uniforms furnished by the government were worn two days per week. (Cage, 1946, p. 20-21).

Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);