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;

St. Leo's basketball team were the 1940 parochial champions and also winners of the Knights of Columbus trophy. They had a 8-1 record in the six-team league with Holy Rosary coming in second at 7-2. The boys are standing in a room with photographs and banners denoting championships awarded to Bellarmine High School. From left to right are: George Strobel, Ted Garritone (captain), Jack Hersmsen, Jack Kellly, James Nordi, Grant Carbone, Bill Cassedy and Rocky Minnitti. (T.Times 3-21-1940, p. 19)

Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma);

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;

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;

Preparing for a run, Jim E. Jones cradles the football with both hands as he poses for a November 1, 1955, photograph. Jones was on the varsity squad at Lincoln High School. Lincoln suffered only one loss in the 1955 season which was to the co-titlist Olympia High School Bears. Jim E. Jones also served as the manager of the varsity track team. (1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 51, 69)

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Jones, Jim E.;

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;

Royal Magnus takes a stance as the letterman prepares for another season of Lincoln football. Lincoln had another successful year as it rebounded from losing all but three first-stringers to winning the City Title and splitting the Capitol League crown with Olympia High School. Magnus would also participate in the decathlon intramurals, Hi-Y Club, and the Forestry Club. (1956 Lincolnian, p. 53, 71, 117, 120) TPL-8473

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Magnus, Royal;

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;

All eyes are focused on the well-dressed speaker at the awards banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team which was held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. The large trophies won by the amateur team at the American Baseball Congress tournament the previous month, along with smaller individual trophies, are on display before the head table. There is a portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney which is leaning on a chair in front of the stage. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Banquets;

A trio of young ladies appear to be crooning into the microphone at the Seattle banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team. The October 30, 1955, gathering was to acknowledge the feats of the young amateur players, and award them with trophies and new jackets. A portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney graces the occasion. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banquets; Awards;

Group portrait-- Washington Cheney Studs. Members of the Cheney Studs baseball team and their coaches gather in front of a portrait of benefactor Ben Cheney and the massive trophies awarded them at the September American Baseball Congress tournament. The players were being honored at a banquet held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. Trophies and new jackets with the Cheney Studs logo were given to the team at that time. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banquets; Awards; Group portraits;

Three of the winners in the 9th Annual Tacoma Winter Carnival races posed with Orville Stewart, the general chairman of the carnival, on January 28, 1940 at Paradise on Mt. Rainier. Shirley McDonald was the first "Tacoma girl" to win the Rhodes Brothers trophy for the women's slalom. From left to right are: Don French of Portland, winner of the junior downhill; Orville Stewart; Shirley McDonald; and Carl Neu of Seattle, winner of the men's slalom. Mr. Neu skied for the University of Washington. Approximately 3,500 fans watched the races. The field of competitors was one of the largest in the history of the races; 116 total skiers, with 76 of those entered in the men's slalom. (T. Times 1/29/1940, pg. 14- picture; 1/25/40, pg 14; 1/29/40, pg.1)

Skiers; Athletes; Paradise Inn (Wash.); French, Don; Stewart, Orville; McDonald, Shirley; Neu, Carl;

The Cheney Studs were the proud recipients of the Coca-Cola Bottler Award as the 1955 American Baseball Congress National Runner-up. Here sponsor Ben Cheney (R) stands with Studs coach, Joe Budnick; they are jointly gripping the large and heavy trophy. Cheney owned and operated Cheney Lumber but was also well known for his love of sports and generosity in sponsoring teams in a variety of activities. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Budnick, Joe; Awards;

Team photo of Cheney Studs. A beaming Ben Cheney (L, second row) stands proudly with his Cheney Studs amateur baseball team in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 21, 1955. The Studs were composed of local high school and college-level stars. They had journeyed to Michigan to participate in the American Baseball Congress tournament where they concluded as national runner-ups. It appears that the Cheney Studs had also been the Cascade, Washington State, and Northwest Regional champions. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

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

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;

Making a road trip easier and more comfortable, the Cheney Studs baseball team traveled by private railroad car in early September, 1955. The team was sponsored by Ben Cheney, owner of Cheney Lumber. Three young players are shown here enjoying the passing scenery. The team may have been on their way to Watertown, S.D., to compete in the initial rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournament. They would be successful and eventually play in the championship match against defending champs Houston in Battle Ground, Michigan, where the Studs wound up in second place.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma;

Young baseball players attempt to relax as they enjoy the comforts of a private railroad car in a September, 1955, photograph. The men are part of the Cheney Studs, an amateur baseball team sponsored by Cheney Lumber. It is possible that the Studs were on their way to Watertown, S.D., for the first rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournaments.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma;

A member of the Cheney Studs baseball team, believed to be coach Joe Budnick, casually poses for a September, 1955, photograph. Dressed in a striped uniform, he sports the Cheney Studs insignia of a horse on his shirt and cap. Ben Cheney, lumberman and philanthropist, enabled thousands of men and children to participate in sports. Cheney Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 1960.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Sporting goods;

Pictured on September 6,1955, is a member of the Cheney Studs, a baseball farm team. The young player appears to be looking intently off in the distance as he leans on a wooden bat. Until his death in 1971, Ben Cheney sponsored thousands participating in the sports of baseball, football, basketball and bowling in the Pacific Northwest. Cheney was instrumental in obtaining the Pacific Coast League franchise for Tacoma in 1960; the team would be called the Tacoma Giants with the San Francisco Giants as their parent club.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Sporting goods;

A young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is possibly Fred Emerson who played outfield for the Studs. During the school year, Fred attended the University of Washington. He was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and a native of Kent, Wa. After a stellar winning season, the Studs finished second at the American Baseball Congress in Battle Creek, Michigan, behind the team from Houston, Texas.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team, possibly Dick Minice. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The average age of the team in 1955 was 19 years of age. The Studs finished second nationally in the American Baseball Congress from an original field of 2,500 teams across the country. They qualified for the nationals by winning the Cascade League flag with 16 wins and no losses, the state tournament in 4 straight wins and a 5 game sweep at the Northwest series. They lost at nationals to Houston, Texas, who won for the second year in a row.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ron Dodge; baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college players in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Ron Dodge was one of the catchers for the 1955 team. He was 19 years of age, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. During the school year he attended the University of Oregon. He was a native of Olympia, Washington. The 1955 Studs team placed second in the nation at the 1955 nationals of the American Baseball Congress from an initial field of 2,500 teams.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Dodge, Ron;

Unidentified young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The Studs began the season by playing exhibition games against professional farm teams and also the amateur city league. They ended the season by finishing second in the nation, behind Houston, at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

A young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is possibly Fred Emerson, outfielder, for the Studs and student at the University of Washington. Emerson was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and originally from Kent, Wa. The Studs finished second in 1955 at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress. They were scouted heavily by the professional teams. Those scouts felt that the team was the best behaved, quietest and had the most major league prospects of any team in the playoffs. Ben Cheney emphasized that the young men on his team finish college before turning professional to better prepare them for life.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

George Kritsonis; young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. George was one of the pitchers for the team and attended Seattle University. He also played outfield for the Studs. He was 18 years old during the season, 6'1" tall and 160 pounds and was a native of Issaquah, Wa. George was voted "Most Valuable Player" of the Northwest series of the American Baseball Congress at Watertown, S.D. The Studs defeated Omaha 12-3 to clinch the Northwest title.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kritsonis, George; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

College of Puget Sound Basketball team. Referee going over rules of game with team members. (T. Times)

Basketball players--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (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);

Two Stadium High School yell leaders and twelve Lincoln High School majorettes pose below the Stadium Bowl's football-shaped scoreboard. Despite being on the losing end of the Thanksgiving Day game between Stadium and Lincoln, the Lincoln students sport brave smiles. The game was held on Thursday, November 23, 1939. A crowd of 12,000 to 15,000 spectators watched as the Stadium Bengals beat the Abes for the sixth year in a row. Stadium would retain the city crown although it did not win the Cross-State League trophy. Standing between the two unidentified Stadium cheerleaders is Josephine Ludwig of Lincoln. The other Lincoln students are, L-R, Myrtle Gordon, Betty Yenne, Ann Scopoli, Bernice Berhartsen, Doris Long, Virginia Griffin, Helen Sandquist, Beverly Steele, Lois Ammon, Dorothy Warter and Evelyn Lannigan. (T. Times 11-24-1939 p.11)

Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cheerleading--Tacoma--1930-1940; Scoreboards-- Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1930-1940

In June of 1955, while a member of the Washington Cheney Studs, Luther Carr demonstrated his bunting technique for the camera. Luther Carr played for Lincoln High School and had aroused the interest of several major colleges and professional teams. He played baseball, football, basketball and competed in track. An all around athlete, Carr in May of 1955 broke the state prep broadjump record that had stood since 1938. His jump was 23 feet, 9 5/8 inches. Carr turned down many professional sports offers after high school, choosing instead a college sports scholarship with the University of Washington Huskies. While a Husky, Luther scored on some of the most dazzling runs ever seen in Husky Stadium. The Studs, an amateur team made up of the most talented baseball players in the Puget Sound area, played 60 games during the summer of 1955 including several against professional players. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. B-14)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseballs; African American baseball players; Carr, Luther; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Morley Barnard (left) and Bill Anderson (right) of the Griffin Fuel Company hockey team warm up for their game against the team fielded by Cammaranos. On Wednesday November 15, 1939 the Griffin Fuel hockey team set a new league record at the Lakewood Ice Arena when they defeated the Cammaranos 19 to 16. In 1938, the Oakes Pavilion at 7310 Steilacoom Blvd. was converted into the Lakewood Ice Arena. The Ice Arena was torn down after its roof collapsed in October 1982.

Ice hockey--Lakewood--1930-1940; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Ice hockey players--Lakewood;