Back of Photo:
Cheney Stadium
Photograph by Bruce Larson

Back of Photo:
Peck Field

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);

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;

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;

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;

Tacoma's Pacific Coast League profession basketball team, the Mountaineers, were ready for their first game in December 1947. There were six northwest teams in the league, including Seattle and Portland. Tacoma played their home games in the State Armory. Left to right, Helen Hayes, team's leader and half time show performer, J. Katica, H. Vallee, S. Sigurdson, B. Graf, Ernie Endress, B. Voelker, J. Voelker, T. Werner, Coach, and Milton Bay, Co-owner and Club President (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 8; Endress identified by an acquaintance). TPL-8550

Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Coast League (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team); State Armory (Tacoma);

In December of 1947, three Alpha Chi Nu sorority sisters chatted with Joe Manley, 155 pounds, at Amundsen's Gym, 719 1/2 Commerce, as he trained for his fight with Dick Elmore. The College of Puget Sound was hosting a "Logger Glove Show" for the first time in many years. College boxers from western Washington met at the CPS gym. There were eight, three round bouts, sponsored by the CPS Lettermen's Club. Joe Manley was trained by Frankie "Chi-Chi" Britt, ex-featherweight of the pro-ring. (T.Times 12/11/47 p.10) View of Alpha Chi Nu sorority girls with Joe Manley at Amundsen's Gym. TPL-8091

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Manley, Joe; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Alpha Chi Nu (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Amundsen's Gymnasium (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 College of Puget Sound basketball team played against Pacific Lutheran College to determine the city's champions in December of 1947. College of Puget Sound beat Pacific Lutheran College with a score of 45 to 38. The game was well attended and was played at the State Armory. View of basketball teams in action, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 12/18/47, p. 11).

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

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);

First Anniversary party for both papers, TAC, Bob Sanders. The Tacoma Athletic Commission held its Anniversary Party January 19, 1948. Plans for the evening included cocktails, buffet dinner, entertainment and dancing. This was the first anniversary of this popular club at its location at the Top of the Ocean. Howard R. Smith, president of the Tacoma Athletic Association at this time, and his wife, Ethyl A. Smith were among those receiving guests at the event. (T.Times, 1/19/1948, p.9, TNT, 1/21/1948, p.6)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Athletic clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Smith, Ethyl A.;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett escorts Gretchen Kunigk Fraser under crossed ski poles held by a Honor Guard during the April 5, 1948, Tacoma Athletic Commission reception celebrating her victories at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Members of the Tacoma Ski Club smile as they cross poles. Tacoma residents, 600 strong, welcomed back their hometown girl at the T.A.C. reception held at the Top of the Ocean. Also in attendance was Mrs. Fraser's husband, Don, who was a member of the 1936 Winter Olympic team. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-6-48, p. 1)

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tacoma Ski Club (Tacoma);

Olympic skier and medalist from Tacoma, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, was honored with a reception sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on April 5, 1948. She is shown seated at the daffodil-covered head table with Mayor C. Val Fawcett, T.A.C. ski committee chair Jerry Geehan, and Howard R. Smith, T.A.C. president. A gift of silver candelabras was presented to Mrs. Fraser by Mr. Smith and Mr. Geehan. Mrs. Fraser in the same busy weekend also rode in the 15th annual Daffodil Parade and attended the Tacoma Ski Club's first annual Daffodil races. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

In October of 1947, "Irish Bob" Kelly of Seattle admired his fighting stance as he prepared at Amundsen's Gym for his upcoming welterweight battle with Tacoma's Charley Johnston. The fight on October 16th at the Tacoma Ice Palace was the third meeting for the happy-go-lucky, debonair Kelly and the stoic, nordic looking Johnston. The first bout was a 6 round near draw awarded to Johnston and the second ended in the second round when Johnston landed a technical knock-out, opening a severe gash over Kelly's left eye. In front of 2100 fans, Johnston knocked out Kelly in the 4th round of the Oct. 16th fight. Johnston went on to have a career total of 17 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws. (T. Times, 10/14/47, p. 6; also 10/16, 10/17 sports section; www.boxrec.com).

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Kelly, Bob;

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;

Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in April, 1948, in honor of Gretchen Kunigk Fraser's victory in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser is to her left in photo, Mayor C. Val Fawcett is in background at far left. Olympic rings are hung over a winter backdrop. Mrs. Fraser captured the gold medal in women's slalom. Howard R. Smith, president of the T.A.C., and Jerry Geehan, chairman of the ski committee, present Mrs. Fraser with a pair of silver candelabras. The woman to the rear of the Frasers is believed to be Mrs. Fraser's mother, Clara (Mrs. W.A.) Kunigk. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-6-48, p. 1)

Athletes; Skiers; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Candelabras;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrates the victory of Olympic Gold and Silver Medal winner Gretchen Kunigk Fraser by holding a dinner in her honor at the Top of The Ocean restaurant on April 5, 1948. Mayor Val Fawcett escorts Mrs. Fraser under a salute of crossed ski poles held by an Honor Guard representing the Tacoma Ski Team. Tacoma-raised Gretchen Fraser won in the Alpine skiing races at the 1948 Winter Olympics held in St. Moritz, placing first in the Slalom for a Gold Medal and second in the Alpine Combined race for a Silver Medal. TPL-5699, TPL-5049. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tacoma Ski Club (Tacoma);

Bowling team in studio, Tug Boat Annie bowling team, Bill Herdman. The Tug Boat Annie bowling team, sponsored by Henry Foss of the Foss Tug and Boat Company, were champions of the Tacoma Major league two successive years. They were such strong competitors, somewhat feared throughout the Northwest bowling circles, that they went on to take first place in the Northwest Pin Classic - the NIBC (Northwestern International Bowling Congress). The champion bowlers were: L-R, seated, Red Wakefield, Frank McGee and Len Thomas; standing, Kelcy Allen and Ted Wakefield. (T.Times, 5/6/1948, p.16; 5/12/1948, p.11)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tug Boat Annie Bowling Team (Tacoma); Wakefield, Red; McGee, Frank; Thomas, Len; Allen, Kelcy; Wakefield, Ted; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

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);

Spectators at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's August, 1950, water carnival have a good view of the day's festivities as they stand and perch on the dock in Commencement Bay. A man in a small boat under the dock has chosen a unique viewpoint. The water carnival is an annual event located near the T.A.C.'s waterfront headquarters.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man is captured in mid-dive onto a large trampoline during the Tacoma Athletic Commission's August, 1950, water carnival festivities. Phil Skiff and George Lewis of the Ski-Quatic Follies of Seattle demonstrated stunts on the trampoline. There were seventeen acts to entertain the large crowds gathered on Ruston Way.(TNT 8-25-50, p. 20, 8-27-50, p. B-10))

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bedecked with Hawaiian leis, entertainer Alfred Apaka and members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission enjoy an evening at the Top of the Ocean. Mr. Apaka, shown here in white shirt and cloth lei, was asked to bring his orchestra to Tacoma to perform at the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance in October, 1950. Smiling for the camera are J.J. Petrich (in background); others seated are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wannberg, Mr. Apaka, Elsie Pitzen. Standing are Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lichtenwalter. (TNT 10-8-50, p. D-8)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Apaka, Alfred; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

A woman contortionist performed on the dance floor with her legs elevated on two tables on either side of her body in a split formation . Her body is lower than her feet. Groups of people who are seated at tables around dance floor applaud her performance during the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Stunt performers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma;

Awarding sweaters to high school allstar football team on November 29, 1950. Football players and families listening to speaker. Presentation at Pontiac automobile dealership.

Awards; Football--1950-1960; Football players--1950-1960; Automobile dealerships--1950-1960;

Ray Kanzler and one of the bowling teams posed for this studio portrait during the 1951 leagues.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling balls;

On May 1, 1951, to mark the opening of the summer season at the Fircrest Golf Club, 1000 Regents Blvd., the club's women came dressed in costume. Four of the weird, wonderful and well dressed women seen at the links were: (l to r) Mary E. (Mrs. Frank H.) Murray, as a jailbird; Laura E. (Mrs. Roy L.) McGinn, pioneer woman; Freida (Mrs. Ben) Rome, Hindu; and Louise (Mrs. Frank) Severson, as Daniel Boone. First prize for best costume went to Mrs. M.C. Thompson who came dressed as a Fiji islander, complete with grass skirt. (Ordered by the Tribune.) (TNT, 6/6/1951, p.D-1)

Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest); Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golf--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murray, Mary E.; McGinn, Laura E.; Rome, Freida; Severson, Louise; Costumes