Ten boys wear the uniforms marking them as "Cheney Studs" as they pose in the Wilson High School gym on February 22, 1969. The beaming man standing next to the team is presumably their coach. Thanks to Ben Cheney's generosity, thousands of area youngsters were able to participate in amateur team sports. Color photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

Pictured under the basketball nets at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 15, 1969, is four-year-old Suzy Jo who is being held by Mrs. Marguerite Cousins, director of the Hilltop Day Care Training Center for Mentally Retarded Children. Suzy, a student at the center, and Mrs. Cousins jointly hold a basketball. They are joined by Mel Jackson, associate director of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center (L), and Al Roberts, UPS co-chairman of an upcoming charity match between the University of Puget Sound Loggers and the University of Alaska. Ticket sales for the February 1st game would benefit the "kids on the hill" enrolled in the learning center. A followup story in a January, 1970, News Tribune indicated that proceeds totaling approximately $3000 were raised for the day care center by the 1969 game. Several local firms stepped forward to buy blocks of tickets to distribute to Hilltop youngsters, allowing nearly 1,000 children to view a collegiate basketball game, many for the first time. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-26-69, D-14, TNT 1-25-70, B-6)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Girls--Tacoma--1960-1970; Jackson, Mel; Roberts, Al; Cousins, Marguerite; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Four-year-old Suzy Jo, a student at the Hilltop Day Care Training Center for Mentally Retarded Children, has her eyes fixed on the bouncing ball while three adults kneel behind her in the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 15, 1969. Mel Jackson, associate director of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center, jubilantly holds aloft two fund raising tickets to the upcoming UPS-University of Alaska basketball game to be held on February 1, 1969, at the Fieldhouse. Next to Mr. Jackson are Al Roberts, UPS co-chairman of the upcoming charity event, and Mrs. Marguerite Cousins, director of the training center. Proceeds from the benefit match would go to the help students at the learning center. The following year would see the nationally-ranked cagers from UPS play California's University of Redlands, with ticket sales directed once more to the learning center. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-26-69, D-14, TNT 1-25-70, B-6)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Girls--Tacoma--1960-1970; Jackson, Mel; Roberts, Al; Cousins, Marguerite; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The 1966 Cheney Studs basketball team posed for a group picture on March 9, 1966, at the Bellarmine gym. They would soon leave for Denver for their second consecutive appearance at the AAU basketball tournament as the Northwest representative. The team would lose to the top-seeded Armed Forces All Stars. The Studs finished their season with a 23-6 record. Jim Van Beek, #22, led the team in individual scoring for a 21.9 point average. Clint Names, #20, was the total Studs scoring champ at 587 points in 29 games. The Studs were led by player-coach George Grant. From L-R, front row: Gus Kravas, Dave Wortman, Jim Van Beek, Clint Names and George Grant. Back row: Curt Gammell, Ray Kinnaman, Tim Cousins, Clint Peeples, Don Rae and Lynn Nance. The Studs were sponsored by the Cheney Lumber Co., one of the many amateur league sporting groups under the wing of lumberman/philanthropist Ben Cheney. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-17-66, C-9)

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Grant, George; Van Beek, Jim; Names, Clint; Kravas, Gus; Wortman, Dave; Gammell, Curt; Kinnaman, Ray; Cousins, Tim; Peeples, Clint; Rae, Don; Names, Lynn;

Seven exuberant Cheney Studs Courteers demonstrated their basketball skills during a session in the Western State Hospital gym on November 5, 1966. The Courteers were a collection of local middle school basketball players sponsored by philanthropist Ben Cheney. They put on fast-paced performances at high school, college and professional half-time shows. This photograph was used by the News Tribune in their March 5, 1967 edition; the Courteers had been invited to perform at the NCAA regional basketball tournament in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 18th. The Courteers were identified as: (foreground) Tim McDonough and Jeff Wilson. In back: Bob Thomsen, Ed Orr, Steve Shamberg, Dennis Franklin and John Yingling. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 3-5-67, C-22)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); McDonough, Tim; Wilson, Jeff; Thomsen, Bob; Orr, Ed; Shamberg, Steve; Franklin, Dennis; Yingling, John;

ca. 1964. Compilation of articles on the Cheney Studs Courteers; copy made from customer's negative. These Tacoma youngsters, sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, were roving basketball ambassadors in the 1960's. Aged 11-15, and small in built, they were known for their basketball wizardry, especially their precision dribbling. George Brown and Ricky Stewart were two boys highlighted in the Medford, Oregon and Tacoma News Tribune's articles. There were also group pictures of the Courteers, including one where they are dressed in suit and tie, clutching small trophies. Photograph ordered on May 4, 1967, by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Members of the Cheney Studs Courteers basketball troupe share a laugh at practice on the floor of the Western State Hospital gym on December 2, 1967. The smallest member on the right deftly dribbles his ball without sparing a glance downwards. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

Junior High School boys come in all sizes and members of the Cheney Studs Courteers were no exception. Sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, the ability to master basketball drills and put on entertaining half-time programs was more important than height. Five Courteers are pictured smiling on December 2, 1967, on the floor of the Western State Hospital gym, as they greet a much smaller teammate. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

Standing on top of a traveling Cheney Studs trunk is one of the smallest members of the Courteers basketball troupe. The exuberant youngster with the large grin shows that he can balance a basketball just as well as taller members. Gazing upward with a surprised look is another Courteers teammate. The junior high school students were practicing at the Western State Hospital gym on December 2, 1967. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Luggage;

Captured in print for all time is a portrait of youth in action. Six Cheney Studs Courteers are pictured in various poses, mimicking the frenetic activity of their half-time basketball shows. The junior high school boys would entertain crowds gathered at high school, college and even professional games, with their high potency basketball skills. They were sponsored by lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

Two Cheney Studs Courteers flash large grins as they palm basketballs on the Wilson High School court on December 2, 1965. Sponsored by lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney, the Courteers performed dazzling routines during half-times at various high school, college and professional basketball games. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

In this photograph from November, 1963, eight Cheney Studs Courteers demonstrate some of the sparkling personality and court wizardry that made them a popular half-time attraction at high school, AAU, and college basketball games throughout the Pacific Northwest. Founded by Ben Cheney, and sponsored by the Cheney Lumber Company, the Courteers performed a 9.5 minute routine that showcased coordinated ball handling and dribbling set to lively rock n' roll music. They appeared on national television during half-time of the January 25 & January 26, 1964, Lakers-Warriors basketball games. Kneeling from L-R are: Billy Herd, Pete Wonders and Eddie Herd. Standing: George Brown, Tom Rogers, Rickey Stewart, Denny Karna and Jeff Smith. The boys ranged in age from 11-15 and stood 4'5" - 4'11." Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 1-19-64, B-13)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

An exuberant Wayne Hoff of Mason Junior High shows off his basketball skills by twirling his ball in this November, 1962, photograph. He was a member of the Cheney Studs Courteers, one of the many youth groups sponsored by Ben Cheney. Each team member, in whatever sport, seemed to be well equipped with proper safety equipment and stylish uniforms. The Courteers were especially selected to provide half-time entertainment at high schools, AAU and college basketball games. Their 9.5 minute act showcased coordinated ball handling and dribbling set to rock n' roll tunes. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 2-4-62, A-8)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Hoff, Wayne;

The eight-member Cheney Studs Courteers basketball team was photographed in November of 1962 in the Wilson High School gym, with coach Gene Anderson, a Cheney Lumber Co. executive, at left. The members of the Courteers were junior high students who provided half-time entertainment at various college, AAU and high school games. These youngsters showcased their ball handling and dribbling skills in exhibition numbers set to lively rock 'n roll. Kneeling at extreme left are Wayne Hoff of Mason Jr. High with Rob Norwood at his side. Tom (Hummingbird) Mack of McCarver is in the center of the second row. Ben Cheney continued his generosity in sponsoring youth sports teams, not only in his favorite pastime, baseball, but also in football and basketball. Tacoma's traveling goodwill ambassadors would perform in December, 1962, for audiences at the San Francisco Cow Palace and also in Los Angeles. Ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 2-4-62, A-8, TNT 12-16-62, C-19) TPL-9880 (Additional i.d.provided by a reader)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms; Hoff, Wayne; Mack, Tom; Norwood, Rob; Anderson, Gene;

ca. 1928. A copy of this photograph was ordered in October of 1958 by the Cheney Lumber Co. In the photograph, the members of the "Decimo Club" posed in their basketball uniforms. It appears to date from around 1928; the "Decimo" Club participated in the City League basketball league that year. The player holding the basketball in the front row is believed to be Ben Cheney. In 1924, Mr. Cheney arrived in Tacoma from South Bend at the age of 19. He loved sports and participated in several, including basketball. He drew a cartoon for his 1920 South Bend High School yearbook of himself dreaming of basketball glory, but at 5'8" tall he did not play varsity basketball. His true skill was in business. In 1936, he bought his first lumber mill and began building the empire that became the internationally known Cheney Lumber Co. He donated generously to allow local children to have the opportunity to participate in sports. Ben Cheney died in 1971. (The Ben Cheney Story by Med Nicholson, The Sou'wester, Fall 2000)

Basketball players--Tacoma;

Stadium High School basketball team. This is part of Stadium's first team in basketball for the 1923-24 season. There were two captains that year: Cliff Bergman and Neil Yingling. From L-R (top row): Walter Dow, Lon Crosthwaite, Neil McDougall, Ed Dow. The Dow brothers were newcomers from Montana. On the bottom row, L-R: Bayard Mosher, Neil Yingling, Clifford Bergman, Herman Brix. Coached by Will Duggan, the Tigers went down to defeat three times at the hands of Lincoln High School. (1924 Tahoma- various pages; TNT 1-14-24, p. 24) G46.1-017

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dow, Walter; Crosthwaite, Lon; McDougall, Neil; Dow, Ed; Mosher, Bayard; Yingling, Neil; Bergman, Clifford; Brix, Herman;

In 1925, this group represented the Pacific Savings & Loan Association in Commercial League basketball. They wore uniforms labeled "PS&LA" and their team name appeared to be the "Thrifty's." The team laid claim to the Commercial League title by virtue of a 33-9 win over the DeMolay team. The PS&LA team had been undefeated prior to the league's closing although their schedule had not been completed. A.J. Pease (back row wearing hat) was team manager. Names of the players were listed under an alternate picture in the March 3, 1925, News Tribune. (G53.1-076; TNT 3-3-25, p. 15-article & alternate photograph)

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pease, A.J.;

This young basketball team posed before a painted backdrop on April 6, 1928. Seated before them is presumably their coach. On their jerseys can be seen a faint outline of a dog. The team members were not identified. G53.1-077

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Five members of an unidentified basketball team posed for a studio photograph on April 6, 1928. The man accompanying them is presumably their coach. G53.1-078

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930;

City league competitive basketball was popular in Tacoma in the early 1930s. The Carstens Packing Company team from 1933 was rated as a strong contender for the Tacoma City Girls' Basketball league championship. The Carstens Vagabonds team members were, seated left to right, Dolly Reese, Freda Weingard, Eleanor Hiller, Grace Thorne and Katherine Rivers. Standing, left to right, Paul Benton (coach), Eleanor Foley, Vera Kemp, Mary Livesley, Dorothy Weingard and Gladys Hult (manager.) There were six women's teams in the 1932 city league sponsored by the Metropolitan Park District including teams representing Hoskins Grill, Pacific Telephone, and Tacoma Poultry and Eggs. (Previously TPL-9000)

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Basketball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Sports--1930-1940; Benton, Paul; Hult, Gladys;

The College of Puget Sound's basketball team is getting ready for the upcoming season of games against Pacific Lutheran College, St. Martin's College, University of Washington and others. C.P.S. basketball coaches feel they have a strong team this year. Their line-up includes, from left to right: Bob Rinker, center; Bob Angeline, guard; Bill Richey, forward; Bill Stivers, guard; and Rod Gibbs, center (T.N.T., 2/13/49, p. B-5). TPL-10483

Basketball players--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Harry McLaughlin has scored a total of 996 basketball points for Pacific Lutheran College in just two short years; he was All-Winco both seasons. McLaughlin played prep basketball at Clover Park and for the Army before entering PLC; he hopes to play professional basketball after graduation. View of basketball court magician, Harry McLaughlin, rolling the ball down his arm, across his back and to the other arm (T.N.T., 12/12/48, p. B-9).

Basketball--Parkland; Basketball players--Parkland; Students--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Balls (Sporting goods); Sports & recreation facilities--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; McLaughlin, Harry;

Jim Barner, a junior at Stadium High School, is currently the scoring leader for the Stadium Tigers' varsity team. Jim Barner was also involved in reserve basketball, varsity baseball, junior football, Spring activity manager, Big S and Bogey Hi-Y. Stadium was getting ready for a big Cross-State league basketball game against the Everett Seagulls, the game would be played at Stadium's gymnasium (T.N.T., 2/17/49, p. 28).

Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public schools--Tacoma; Balls (Sporting goods); Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Barner, Jim;

Cammarano Bros. Bottling Co. sponsored this basketball team in 1938. Photograph of eight players and their coach.

Basketball players--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

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;

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;

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);

Pacific Lutheran College basketball coach Cliff Olson, left, shows team members one sure way to make a basket. Players are, top to bottom, Harry Lang, Marty North, Earl Platt, Sig Sigurdson and Marv Harshman. Mr. Harshman later had a distinguished 40 year career as a basketball coach; coaching winning teams at Pacific Lutheran, Washington State and the University of Washington. This picture ran in the Tacoma Times with overlays so that the goal became the 1941 Winko Hoop Crown and the players passed the ball up a timeline indicating games that needed to be won. (T. Times 2/12/1941, pg. 14)

Basketball players--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Olson, Cliff; Lang, Harry; North, Marty; Platt, Earl; Sigurdson, Sig; Harshman, Marv;

National Guard Basketball team, Company E., 116th Medical Regiment. The team was competing in the military basketball playoffs at the Armory.

Basketball--1940-1950; Washington National Guard, Company E, 116th Medics (Tacoma);

Coach Bill Vinson led the Fife High School basketball team to an 11 and 1 record in 1941. That was good enough for the League Championship. The team included: (back, l to r) Willard Ogden, Bill Haminshi, Frank Spear, Mel Rowe, Frank Evancich. (front) Yahachi Sagami, Bob Vinson, Roy Herting, Frank Dreyer, Dave Wilcox, Coach Bill Vinson. (T. Times 3/3/1941, pg. 11)

Fife High School (Fife); Basketball players--Fife; Vinson, Bill; Spear, Frank;