Visit of North Wind to Tacoma and reception at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tribune & TAC. Several naval officers and their wives were in Tacoma for observance of Navy Week. They were greeted at a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Commission on November 7, 1948, at their facilities at the Top of the Ocean. Several of the navy wives and members of the TAC are shown at the reception, L-R, Mrs. Steven W. Calloway, Ethyl A. (Mrs. Howard) Smith, Mrs. Charles W. Thomas, Mrs. George Fritschmann, Genevieve L. (Mrs. Frank T.) Walters, and Myra J. (Mrs. E.R.) Fetterolf. (T.Times, 11/8/1948)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Ethyl A.; Walters, Genevieve L.; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Bob Sanders. The Tacoma Athletic Commission honored two of Tacoma's sports heroes October 28, 1948. Bob Martin, left, and Marv Rickert, center, are shown with Howard R. Smith, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They each received the newly created Tacoma Athletic Commission award of merit, emblem, and cigarette lighter as well as having their photographs hanging at TAC's Hall of Fame. Martin won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympic games held in London as a member of the U.S. rowing team in the four-oared shell competition. Rickert played outfield in the 1948 World Series for Boston. He went 4 for 19 in the six game series with one home run. (TNT, 10/29/1948, p.26)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Martin, Bob; Rickert, Marv; Smith, Howard R.; Awards; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletes;

The Lakewood Ice Club was sponsoring a fundraising event in support of young ice skaters from Washington. Local champion ice skaters would participate in the program; the performances would include: dance, duets or solos. View of Patsy Hamm and Jackie Boyle, champion ice skaters from Tacoma; last year they won National Recognition in the major league events held at Colorado Springs, Colorado (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16).

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Hamm, Patsy; Boyle, Jack;

Figure ice skaters from Tacoma joined ice skaters from the Lakewood Ice Club for a special event held in support of young ice skaters throughout the State. These skaters have returned with trophies galore and would perform between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. for spectators at the Lakewood Ice Arena. View of Nancy Roberts, 13 year old champion ice skater from Tacoma. Nancy performed at the Lakewood Ice Arena in the solos program (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16).

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Roberts, Nancy;

On August 29, 1948, the Tacoma Athletic Commission (TAC) sponsored their second annual water show in Commencement Bay, in front of the TAC headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. Spectators lined the decks of the restaurant and the Old Town dock to watch the free water skiing show. Boats also formed a rectangle around the area where the skiers performed. The barge in the center of the picture was probably used as a staging area for the skiers. Some of the skiers from the Seattle Skiquatic Follies can be seen behind the speeding boat left. The show ran from 4-6pm.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Mr. Frank Walters, President of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, and Mrs. Walters posed with a publicity poster for the organization's 4th annual birthday party to be held at the club's headquarters at the Top of the Ocean on February 20, 1950. The party celebrated four years of active promotion of the city's athletic programs. The TAC was unique in the U.S. Organized as the Tacoma War Athletic Commission in 1942, it raised funds for athletic equipment for the thousands of US servicemen stationed in the Pacific Islands. Equipment was sent to fighting forces from Alaska to Australia. Following the end of the war, the group directed its policies to the civic and athletic betterment of Tacoma, particularly in the support of sports activities for youth. (TNT 2-26-1950 D-1, TNT 3/23/1956, pg. 1)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Frank; Walters, Frank--Family;

Tacoma Athletic Commission's 1950 St. Patrick's Day party at the Top of the Ocean. Patrick Steele is on the left, Mrs. Mary Steele is on the far right. Four hundred members and guests of TAC attended the annual dinner and program on St. Patrick's Day. Diners had a choice of prawns or roast beef, with each plate adorned with two fresh rainbow trout.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Saint Patrick's Day; Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holidays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Steele, Patrick; Steele, Mary;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission held a Hawaiian dinner-dance on October 2, 1950, at the Top of the Ocean for members and guests. Alfred Apaka, popular Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band were the featured performers. T.A.C. members (L-R) Mrs. Jack S. Roberts, Mrs. Dillard Howell and Mrs. Howard R. Smith hold up a grass skirt and flower lei for the approval of (standing L-R) Mrs. James J. Mellinger, Mrs. L.R. Ghilarducci, Mrs. Joseph Lehman and Mrs. Frederick A. Haines, Jr. (TNT 10-1-50, p. D-6)

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

People who attended the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean enjoyed the entertainment as well as the company. Ordered by Will Maylon.

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

People enjoyed the floorshow at the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. A group are seen here wearing party hats and holding party favors. Ordered by Will Maylon.

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

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;

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);

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);

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;

Cupid, victory cigar in mouth, draws back his bow to attempt a fifth arrow at the telephone target on January 10, 1958. He has already successfully hit the target four times. He does appear to be rather close to the designated target. The archer is dressed in a towel covering his waist and part of his suit wound around his shoulder and hip. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Archery--Tacoma; Bows (Archery); Targets (Sports); Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Cupid retrieves his arrows in a January 10, 1958, photograph. He has apparently hit his target, a telephone in a circle, with all four arrows at a rate of 100%. The smiling archer has a towel wrapped around his waist and perhaps part of his suit draped over his shoulder. He is clutching a large bow. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Archery--Tacoma; Bows (Archery); Targets (Sports); Telephones; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Interiors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. An instructor ties his skates surrounded by smiling young students. Although the home of several competitive skaters, the rink also offered affordable lessons to children and adults at all skating levels from beginners on up. Public free skating time was also available and if you didn't own your own skates, they could be rented. ("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;

Fight promoter Ethel Seifert sponsored the Semi-Final All-Heavy Wrestling Show at the Starlight Athletic Club at So. 11th Street and Market St. in 1948. Tacoma Times newspaper carriers were invited as guests of Ethel Seifert. Left to right view of Rocco Toma, known as the wild bull of the Argentine Pampas, Nick Zvolis, the referee, and Pierre LaSalle, former Canadian amateur champ (T. Times, 12/2/48, p. 6).

Wrestling--Tacoma; Wrestlers--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Referees; Fighting--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Toma, Rocco; LaSalle, Pierre; Zvolis, Nick;

Jerry Fodey, one of two goalies on the 1948-49 Tacoma Rockets, demonstrated his technigue for the cameras in December of 1948. The Rockets were in second place in the Pacific Coast Hockey League, seven points behind the league leading New Westminster Royals. In November they had won five straight games, the longest winning streak in club history. The Rockets played in the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 South Union Avenue. (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 21).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma);

The second Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission and was held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Teams entered from Seattle, West Seattle, Portland, Everett, Bremerton and Vancouver, B.C. Fort Lewis made formidable entries in all the weights from the fly-poundage to the heavyweights. McChord Air Force Base and Madigan Hospital likewise entered competitors. Ordered by Mr. Metcalf. (TNT, 1/22/1950, p.B-7)

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

Group of TAC & Elks, TAC, Metcalf. A group of six men who are all members of both the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the Elks are reviewing a poster announcing an evening at the Tacoma Athletic Commission headquarters at the Top of the Ocean honoring Emmett T. Anderson, the newly named Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. They are, L-R, standing, Will Maylon, Frank Walters, and Frank Gillihan, TAC president. Seated are Leo McGavick, John Heinrick and Al Whitman. (TNT, 8/5/1949, p.29)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Maylon, Will; Walters, Frank; Gillihan, Frank J.; McGavick, Leo A.; Heinrick, John; Whitman, Al;

The Tacoma Boys' Club Rovers were the winners of the first annual Boys' Club basketball tournament hosted by Tacoma in April of 1949. Boys' Club teams from Ballard, Bellingham, Everett, Spokane and Tacoma faced off against each other in the two-day meet. The Rovers defeated Bellingham 62 to 47 in the tournament finals. Center Jerry Harding led the scoring for the Rovers with 17 points. Back row, (l to r): Joe Karpach, Ray Boen, Director E. S. Ostberg, Charles Miller, Benny Barker, and Manager Jerry Mulscher. Front row, (l to r): Larry Olson, Jerry Harding, Team Captain Johnny Bartenetti, Dick Schermerhorn, and Joe Seaberger (T.N.T., 4/13/49, p. 28).

Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma);

April 5, 1948, Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in honor of Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, 8th from L, after her victory in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Seated next to Mrs. Fraser is Tacoma mayor C. Val Fawcett. Others at the head table during the Top of the Ocean reception are Leon Titus, 2nd from L; W.A and Clara Kunigk, honoree's parents; her husband Don Fraser, 6th from L; Jerry Geehan of the T.A.C. ski committee, 6th from R; T.A.C. president Howard R. Smith, 4th from R. Mrs. Fraser had won both Gold and Silver medals at St. Moritz. Prior to her award winning performances, Mrs. Fraser had appeared on the silver screen as the skiing double for Sonja Henie in "Thin Ice," filmed at Paradise Inn in 1937. ALBUM 9.

Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Titus, Leon E.; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kunigk, W.A.;

This group outside Callender's is part of the group that took the Tacoma Athletic Commission's "Fight Special" to Portland via Northern Pacific Railroad on April 7, 1948. Fight and train tickets were on sale at Callender's. The "Fight Special" was an official TAC civic promotion. Mayor Val Fawcett is standing at right, wearing an overcoat. Howard Smith, current president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission is standing at left, with his hand in his jacket pocket under his top-coat. Ordered by Howard Smith, TAC. (T.Times, 4/1/1948, p.20)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Callender's Restaurant (Tacoma); Smith, Howard R.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950;