Ski patrol during the 1941 Silver Skis race held on Mt. Rainier in early March. Six of the seven unidentified skiers carry American flags. TPL-1383

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1940-1950; Paradise Inn (Wash.); Skiers; Winter sports; Flags--United States;

Army football game at Clover Park High School. Large crowd at Walter J. Thompson Field. (T. Times)

Sports - Ball Games - Football Facilities - Sports Facilities Military Personnel

This was the powerful Teamsters softball team photographed at Jefferson Park in July of 1942. The Teamsters were the City League champions and one of eight teams participating in the Pierce County Sectional State Playoffs. The winner would represent the County at the state playoffs later in the summer at Seattle. The Teamsters roster consisted of Robert Myles, Warren Parkhurst, Tom Cross, C. Edmunds, Bob McWilliams, Gus Harkey, Paul Scott, Harley Jensen, Frank Pavolka, Frank Morrone, Heine Hademan, Wally Brebner, Marvin Pease, Willard McWilliams, Marty Besaw and Robert Huegel, manager. The Teamsters were defeated by the Quartermaster All-Stars 1-0 in the playoffs. (T. Times 7/20/1942, p. 10-article; 7/18/1942, pg. 8-article)

Softball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Softball--Tacoma; Labor unions; International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Tacoma);

Hoyt, Pat at Ice Arena. Pat Hoyt was one of Tacoma's skating stars in 1944. Photo taken at the Lakewood Ice Arena, Tacoma's only ice skating rink.

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Hoyt, Pat;

Hoyt, Pat at Ice Arena. The talented Pat Hoyt was one of Tacoma's skating stars in 1944. Photo was taken at the Lakewood Ice Arena, Tacoma's only ice skating rink.TPL-7768

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Hoyt, Pat;

Metropolitan Park District announced that the playgrounds were officially opened for Summer. Many recreational and educational activities have been planned. View of playground leaders and supervisors for Tacoma Parks. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 6/19/46, p. 3).

Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Physical education--Tacoma; Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma);

Tommy Gibbons, the former heavyweight title contender from St. Paul, Minnesota who went 15 rounds with Jack Dempsey on July 4, 1923, visited the Tacoma Boys Club in April of 1947. He spent some time with the boys giving them boxing tips and signing boxing gloves. Gibbons, the 13-year Sheriff of Ramsey County, Minnesota, had long been interested in boys club activity. He had stopped in Tacoma on his way home from touring the West Coast. He was trying to sway the 1951 American Bowling Congress to St. Paul, Minnesota. The boys in the photograph were not identified in the newspaper articles. (T.Times, 4-30-47, p. 13-article; T. Times, 5/1/47, p. 18-article on visit to Tacoma).

Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Publicity photographs; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma; Gibbons, Tommy;

Tommy Gibbons is back in the ring, only this time he is giving the boys at the Tacoma Boys Club boxing tips. Gibbons is now the Sheriff of Ramsey County, Minnesota and is very active in aiding to prevent juvenile delinquency. Tommy's stop in Tacoma was one of many throughout the West Coast, he was campaigning to get support for the 1951 National Bowling Congress (T. Times, 5/1/47, p. 18).

Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Publicity photographs; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma; Gibbons, Tommy;

Tacoma Rockets were ready to begin another winning season. They beat Portland and West Minster and were now getting ready to play against the Vancouver Canucks. Team manager, Dave Downie, felt his team would continue their winning streak. The Tacoma Rockets had their home games at the Tacoma Ice Palace. View of hockey player trying to block the other player's aim.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Skaters; Skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

In this photograph from October, 1947, Rudy Filion of theTacoma Rocket hockey team practices at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Ave. The Rockets played their season opener on Tuesday night, Oct. 21st, against the Portland Eagles. The Rockets won 6 to 1 in one of the roughest stick swinging duels ever witnessed at the local rink. (T. Times, 10/20/47, p. 6).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Skaters; Skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Filion, Rudy

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);

Gretchen Fraser points out her name in the decorations during a Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in honor of her victory at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser, a former Olympian, is to her right in this April 5, 1948, photo. Gretchen, the daughter of W.A. and Clara Kunigk, was also welcomed back home as she rode in the weekend's Daffodil Parade. She had won both gold and silver medals in Alpine during the Winter Olympics which were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Flower arrangements;

Gretchen Kunigk Fraser accepts flowers from Mayor C. Val Fawcett during a Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in honor of her victory at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser is far left in this April 5, 1948, photo. More than 600 people jammed the Top of the Ocean to pay tribute to the hometown gold & silver medalist. Mrs. Fraser won her medals in skiing at the Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roses; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);

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;

These nine young athletes from Holy Rosary won the 1954 parochial track championships. The boys are dressed in track uniforms with the initials "H.R." on their tank top shirts. Don Holmberg (left center) and Serge Grant grasp the trophy awarded to the recent parochial track kings. The Holy Rosary team scored 49 points to win the meet for 7th and 8th graders. Front row, from left to right are: Teddy Fick, John McCarthy, Don Holmberg, Serge Grant, Dick Zimbrick, Tom Hulscher. Second row: Jim Rubattino, Larry Loughlin, Kenneth Miller. Holy Rosary's school was the first Catholic elementary school in Tacoma, started in 1891 by Father William Eversmann. It is still in existence today. (www.holyrosarytacoma.org., TNT 5-30-54, B-5-alternate photograph)

Track athletics--Tacoma; Holy Rosary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Holmberg, Don; Grant, Serge; Fick, Teddy; McCarthy, John; Zimbrick, Dick; Hulscher, Tom; Rubattino, Jim; Loughlin, Larry; Miller, Kenneth;

Jack Walters Night at the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Jack and Jeanne Walters pose with an unidentified couple plus a statue and caricature of Jack after his triumph in the National Left-handed golf championships. Jack, a winning southpaw golfer since he was 16, won on his seventh attempt at the championship. The golfer, known for his long drives, competed in his first national in 1937. In the 1940s, he took time out from golf to serve with the infantry as a sergeant during the Philippines campaign. He contracted malaria in the tropics and recuperated before returning to golf. His wife was a former city womens and Champion of Champions titlist. (TNT 7/19/1953, pg. B-9)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Jack J.; Walters, Jeanne; Golfers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Four unidentified young players on the hockey team sponsored by the Barbecue Inn take a milk break in front of the Tacoma Arena, 3801 South Union Avenue, in February of 1953. In 1953, Hockey in Tacoma wasn't confined to Tacoma's professional team, the Rockets. Thanks to the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Hockey Club, approximately 250 boys and young men in Tacoma were able to compete in three leagues that played at the Arena on Monday and Thursday nights. No other town on the pacific coast had a hockey program that compared to Tacoma's. The Barbecue Inn was at 8102 Maple Street S.W. in Lakewood. (TNT 2/22/1953 p.B-5) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A member of the I.O.O. F. hockey team prepares to enter the game as he swings open the heavy rink door in this February, 1953, photograph. A small, but intent, group of supporters sit behind the team bench. This may be a mixed practice or game as a member of the Barbecue Inn team is on the same Tacoma Rockets bench. It would be expected that the "home team" be assigned the Tacoma Rockets section. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

A young hockey player modestly signs an autograph for two admiring fans in this February, 1953, photograph. He apparently took time off from practice to chat with the spectators as he is dressed in full hockey gear, sans helmet. Hockey was very popular in the 1950's in the Tacoma area; there were many teams involved in the sport ranging from the Under-12's to high school teams. The Tacoma Rockets was the area's semi-pro team whose players and scores were reported on in the daily newspaper on a regular basis. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin. TPL-8262

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

Tacoma Rockets coach Murray "Muzz" Patrick gives advice in February of 1953 to forward Jack Stewart (age 7) and goalie Dick Boedecker (age 10) as the young players listen intently. The coach, a former NHL player and member of a well-known hockey family, may be giving pointers to the forward on how to get the puck past the goalie. Jack Stewart's North-End I.O.O. F. team would be in action in February against the Studs for the first-half Pee-Wee League title. The Pee-Wee title match would be the preliminary game before the Tacoma Rockets and Tacoma Amateurs played in an exhibition contest. (TNT 2-4-53, p. 24) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for the King Feature Syndicate.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Stewart, Jack; Boedecker, Dick; Patrick, Murray;

A young goalie, believed to be Dick Boedecker, sprawls on the ice with his right glove clenched in front of a hockey goal. He may have just caught a puck shot at him by the opposing forward. His coach, hands on his knees, watchs while a photographer, sans skates, films the action. This photograph was probably taken at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Ave. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for King Feature Syndicate in February, 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Photographers--Tacoma;

All eyes properly follow the puck as it seems to be heading past the goalie toward the open net in this February, 1953, photograph. The goalie is on his knees in front of the net as a member of I.O.O.F. 232 completes his shot. Several players have lost their footing and are resting on the ice. This scrimmage or game apparently took place at the Arena on South Union Avenue. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma;

Even young hockey players get bumped and bruised and deserve a massage. Here a trainer or coach rubs some liniment onto the boy's back while a teammate looks on in this 1953 photograph. The player is lying on a thin mattress placed on a long table in the team's dressing room; uniforms and equipment are hanging from cubicles. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Massage;

A small group of admiring young fans surround three junior hockey players in a February, 1953, photograph shot for King Feature Syndicate. The goalie and two other players sign autographs while standing near the large goal. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Sports spectators;