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;

University of Hawaii Basketball Team, TAC, Bob Sanders. The University of Hawaii's unbeaten basketball team visited Tacoma twice during February, 1948. They came to Tacoma as they began their five-game tour of the Pacific Northwest on February 19th. They left Tacoma that day and returned February 25th to play the Pacific Lutheran College's Lutes. The Lutes defeated the Hawaiians 65 - 54. The team, coached by Art Gallon, is shown here at the Tacoma Athletic Commission with TAC's president Howard R. Smith,second from the right in the back row. (T.Times, 2/19/1948, p.8)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Howard R.; University of Hawaii (Hawaii); Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball players--Hawaii; Group portraits; Students--Hawaii--1940-1950;

On Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1948, a few spectators returned to their automobiles, holding tight to their small children, after watching part of the two hour water show in Commencement Bay. The show was held in the waters of the Bay in front of the Top of the Ocean restaurant and club and was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, which had its headquarters at the Top. People crowded the decks of the Top, as well as the Old Town Dock. The show featured the talents of the Seattle Skiquatics Follies.

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;

Cars lined the intersection of Ruston Way and McCarver St. as spectators flooded Old Tacoma on August 29, 1948 to see the second annual water show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Club. Water skiing entertainment would be provided by the Seattle Skiquatic Follies in the waters in front of the Top of the Ocean, which housed the TAC headquarters.

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;

Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;

In jest, William Gazecki was wrapped in resplendent robes and crowned the new " king" of the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 12, 1963. Four TAC officers posed with their newly elected president as one member places a gilded crown on his head. William Larson, Peter Stojack, Marv Tommervik and Bob Danhausere form a half-circle around William Gazecki . A more traditional picture of this group was chosen to run in the February 17, 1963, edition of the News Tribune. The TAC is a local volunteer-run sports and civic booster organization. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 2-17-63, B-10)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Crowns; Larson, William C.; Stojack, Peter; Tommervik, Marv; Danhausere, Robert; Gazecki, William;

Two girls in ski rental shop at Paradise, Mount Rainier Park. This is a closer cropped print of D745- image 9. (T.Times).

Skiing; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

In April of 1935, Paradise on Mount Rainier was home to the national downhill and slalom competitions. This was the first time that this major skiing event had ever been held in the west. Seventy skiers were scheduled to compete. The flags of four of the competing nations waved proudly above the snow. They are the flags of, left to right, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.The men's alpine competition was won by Austrian Hannes Schroll who delighted the crowd of spectators by yodeling as he sped down the course. Stock negative.

Skiers--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Flags;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne ("Skit") Smith (later Babson) smile broadly for the camera on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever Women's Downhill and Slalom national titles. The national championships were held for the first time in the west April 13-14 at Mount Rainier's Paradise Valley. The competition was also part of the trials for the 1936 Olympic team but at that time women did not compete in the Olympics in either event. The sisters, who had only been skiing for a couple of years, had attended Stadium High School, the University of Washington and were members of the Washington Ski Club. (T. Times, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne "Skit" Smith posed for photographers on Mount Rainier on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever women's National championships in downhill (Ellis-Ayr) and slalom (Skit) on April 13-14. The two day national competition, held at Paradise on Mt. Rainier, attracted skiers from throughout the United States and Canada and from several European countries including Switzerland and the Netherlands. The pair had only been skiing a couple of years but were devoted to the sport. They skied every weekend by hiking up Mount Rainier to the glaciers where there was snow year round. The all around athletes also rode horses, played tennis and golf, and swam. (TNT 4/15/1935, pg. 1) TPL-9424

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethelynn; Smith, Ellis-Ayr;

ca. 1936. Skiers waiting in line and watching a skier maneuver through the snow. Flags mark the ski trail.

Sports - Winter Sports - Skiing

ca. 1939. Three female skiers at Mount Rainier, possibly Annie Wright students. They are tentatively identified as Lois Fisher, Peoria Ill., Jean Lenham, Bozeman Mt. and Jane Snider.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. A female skier pulls herself hand over hand up the mountain using the tow rope provided for skiers at Paradise, Mt. Rainier. Mount Rainier had a ban on mechanical ski lifts, feeling that they would mar the scenery.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Winter sports; Snow; Ski lifts;

Skiers pose for the camera at the 1938 Winter Carnival. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

One skier gets assistance with her boot at the 1938 Winter Carnival at Paradise, Mount Rainier. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the two day festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

February, 1938, ski races in Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. A large group of skiers wait on the sidelines by the lodge for the races in the seventh annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival to begin. Although much attention was garnered by the winners in the men's and women's open slalom races, there were races for all abilities and ages. The Washington Ski Club was in charge of the junior level races on the second day of the skiing carnival.

Skiers; Athletes;

Large gathering of skiers outside Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park, waiting for the ski race events in February, 1938. The windows of the Inn can be seen in the drifts of snow. The Winter Sports Carnival, sponsored by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations, drew many competitors annually from the Pacific Northwest region. 5000 skiers and spectators were expected to attend the two-day carnival, which featured a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races. (T.Times 2-9-38, p. 7)

Skiers; Athletes; Paradise Inn (Wash.);

Paradise was overflowing with spectators gathered to watch the 1938 Silver Skis Race when the race had to cancel due to high winds. A slalom race and ski stunt exhibition were the substitute attractions. (T.Times 3/28/38, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race at Mount Rainier, from Camp Muir to Paradise, was cancelled due to gale force winds above 9,000 feet. A special exhibition slalom race was quickly organized to entertain the crowd of 8,000 spectators. They were also treated to skiing stunts performed by various ski stars on a special jump. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

The 1938 Silver Skis downhill race at Mount Rainier. Skiers maneuver their way through the snow as the trees and mountains cast a crisp backdrop on the scene. The record crowd of 8,000 was disappointed when competing skiers had to turn back at 9600 feet above sea level, near McClure's Rock, due to gale force winds. The race was cancelled for the second year in a row and an exhibition slalom was substituted for the audience's entertainment. (T. Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

Large group of skiers cluster at Paradise on Mount Rainier, disappointed in the bad weather cancellation of the Silver Skis race. The group was entertained by a substitute slalom race and a ski stunt exhibition. (T.Times, 3/28/38, p. 1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race was cancelled for the second year in a row due to high winds above 9,000 feet. The record audience of 8,000 was disappointed, but promoters substituted a slalom exhibition race on the steep Alta Vista slope. Flags have been set for the slalom course surrounded by viewers on skis. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

Fifteen-month-old Jerry Keisler, of Seattle, won the title of "youngest skier on the mountain" at the 1938 Silver Skis competition on Mt. Rainier. (cropped version of D7150 image 6) Using specially made skis and poles, the youngster skied away from the photographer just after his picture was snapped. (T.Times, 3/30/1938, p. 5).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports; Children skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Keisler, Jerry;

Paul (Sonny) Sceva, Jr., of Tacoma, is pictured skiing down a slope on Mount Rainier on January 18, 1939. He was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference champion ski team, the Washington Huskies. At that time, he was one of the top skiers in the Pacific Northwest. He had been a reserve member on the U.S. Olympic ski team in Europe in 1937 and had spent most of the 1937 winter in the Alps, competing in many races and placing high. Mr. Sceva would go on to graduate from the University of Washington in 1941. Sonny's father, Paul Sceva, Sr., was the manager of the Rainier National Park Company which operated the various concessions on the mountain including Longmire. (T.Times, 1/18/1939, p. 7-alt. photograph)

Skiing; Skiers; Sceva, Paul;

Portrait of Eddie Marino, middleweight boxing manager of Al Hostak. Marino, a former United States Marine, was known as "the little sergeant." (T. Times, 6/25/1938, p. 13).

Sports - Athletics - BoxingPeople - Men - Sportsmen - Boxing Managers

Hockey player in Alt Heidelberg uniform with stick, man in overcoat next to him watching.

Sports - Hockey - Ice Hockey

Five ice hockey players on arena floor with criss - crossed hockey sticks. One in Pioneer Beer uniform and one in Alt Heidelberg uniform.

Sports - Hockey - Ice Hockey

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;

After a close competition at the Northwest Archery Tournament, held August 5-6, 1939 at Jefferson Park, Mrs. Pat Chambers of Portland (left) won the Northwest women's title by 9 points over Mrs. Belvia "Billy" Carter of Seattle. Billy Carter was the current women's national champion. (TNT 8/7/1939, pg. 11)

Archery--Tacoma--1930-1940; Awards; Carter, Billie; Pacific Northwest Archery Association (Tacoma);