THE JOY OF EFFORT THE STORY OF GYMNASTICS AT WkM i]

•¥BVr^yl;^HM

v /J P w IH 1&

The mosf famous tableau of all, "Aspiration Of Youth". The photo was taken by Life Magazine in 1939.

— 2 — THE JOY OF EFFORT The story of gymnastics at Springfield College

FOREWORD This narrative is a minute piece of contemporary history. The references to men and women who have earned A man must possess more than just a bit of temerity to special recognition, who were team captains, or who presume to tell the story of gymnastics at Springfield College. represented the College as gymnasts is arbitrary at best. This has been no idle attempt to chronicle a series of events, Since records we researched are incomplete, important but rather an effort to capture the very heart and soul of a names may be missing. We hope you will accept such most exciting and colorful story. omissions as accidental and unintentional. Also we hope As usual, reality proved more stimulating than romance. you will tell us about any omissions, so records can be Thus, there was no need to improve on those shining hours up-dated. in Springfield's gymnastic history. Since our efforts in gather­ A publication of this sort costs money . . . money the ing information were in no way notable, we have recorded Alumni Office does not have. But for the remarkable fund- ail details of our findings. Af times we were dazzled during raising talents of Emerson Dun ton '56, this publication our research as we came upon a deep treasure and knew it. would never have seen the light of day. Thus all followers We must confess to a feeling of melancholy satisfaction of Springfield gymnastics owe Emerson a large vote of as the last word of this narrative was put on paper. While thanks. we have always respected gymnasts and their coaches, The 1969 Fall Homecoming Committee also comes in for writing this story doubled this respect and admiration. To its share of laurels for its imagination and diligence in gather facts we interviewed selected gymnasts from various planning this first All-Gymnastic Reunion. The knowing decades, reviewed numerous "Massasoits" and "Student" voices of the men and women who served on the committee publications, and studied many old and new films of Spring­ should result in pleasurable memories for all. field's gymnastic teams. Another source of invaluable in­ And so we present to you the dramatic story of gymnastics formation was a doctoral thesis, prepared by Dr. Walter F. at Springfield College from 1905 to 1970. Oh yes . . . the Ersing '54, entitled, "The Life and Work of Leslie James lovely young lady gracing the cover of this publication is judd." Ersing, a former Springfield gymnast and team Judy Markell '72 of Montclair, New Jersey. We have captain, is now a professor in Physical Education at Ohio come a long way, indeed, since 1905. State University. We express gratitude and appreciation to Ersing for his splendid publication, combining, as it does, presence and persuasion. - Harold G. Lynch '41

DEDICATION

This publication is in honor of Springfield's first All-Gymnastic Reunion held on Saturday, November 8, 1969 at the Highpoint Motor Inn in Chicopee, Mass. The event, held as an important part of Fall Homecoming, was planned by the following: Emerson Dunton '56 Douglas Verney '67 Willard St. Cyr '59 Frank Wolcotf '52 Reg Alden '21 Kathy Tetreault '63 Irvin Schmid '43 Richard Aronson '58 Pamela Dameron '67 Ian Heller '68 Thomas Auchterlonie '67 Robert James '54 Mimi Murray '61 Robert Dixon '60 Peter Bacon '65 Diane Potter '57 Ha! Lynch '41 At the Committee's suggestion, the publication is dedicated to Dr. ! J. Judd '20, Coach, Teacher, and Friend to Springfield men and women everywhere. THE JOY OF EFFORT Now and then an incident will occur which puts one in the ball to the half-back rather than sending it back end the mood of those old-fashioned narratives set in a London over end as was the custom in all college football at the club, all port and porters and brandy after dinner, in which, time. There was no erosion of imagination at Springfield after three pages of good living, some silver-haired old during those early days. buffer says, "It's odd that you should mention Rutherford's Much later, in 1941, the College was to introduce disappearance, because there is an interesting story behind another idea info the field of intercollegiate athletics. In it." Such is the situation at a time when men and women that year Irvin Schmid, now varsity soccer coach, buf then who have represented Springfield College in gymnastics on exceptionally brilliant soccer player, served in one over the years get together for a reunion. If you listen football game as the team's kick-off specialist, thus intro­ carefully, you will hear these reunited gymnasts asking ducing the soccer player os o football kicking specialist, about Wilbur Batchelor, George Garniss, Reg Alden, Earl now an idea copied by many colleges ond professional Taraldsen, Turner Dickerson, Rene Kern, Mac MacGregor, football teams. Tony Yuasa, Lyle Welser, Joe Mixie, Clive Smith, Bob So there were giants on the Springfield campus who Parsons, Henry Etheridge, Sam Correnti, Bob Freeman, Jeff made an impact important enough to gain some distinction Cardinali, Kathy Corrigan, Andrea Hyland, Bruce Wright, around the country for the small college on a sandy hili in Tommy Auchterlonie, Bob Cargill, Willard Ashbrook, Springfield. It's interesting to note that had it not been for Francis Luoma, John Seeley, Hartley Price, Clyde Shotz- o change in philosophy and policy very early in the history barger, Rudy Matousek and so many other great gymnasts of the school, gymnastics may never have gained prominence in the history of the College. at Springfield. Started in 1885 as a School for Christian The dramatic story of gymnastics of Springfield can't be Workers, in 1890 it became the YMCA Training School, fully told without a brief look at the campus and the College and a year later the International YMCA Training School. in 1905, the year of the first organized team. The school Until 1 891 only those who aspired to become a professional wasn't much to look at in those days. The sandy hill area in YMCA work could enter, but then the program was overlooking Lake Massasoit wasn't conducive to the growth opened to qualified men who intended to enter any field of grass, consequently, the small maintenance crew then a of service for youth. According to Springfield's ninth Presi­ part of the Training School, worked long hours trying to dent, Wilbert E. Locklin, "If that bit of evolution had not encourage a good growth of grass. Only three buildings taken place, we would have denied admission to Amos were on the campus — one gymnasium, now known as East Alonzo Stagg, one of the great Springfield men in the Gym,-Woods Hall, then a dining hall,-and a dormitory which history of physical education, and , who also doubled as an administration building. This dormitory, invented on this campus." in fact, is today (1969) the Administration Building. There The College would also have denied admission to those were less than 300 students, all men, on campus at the time. men who brought gymnastics to Springfield. David Allen Reed, the founder of the College, was The year 1905 is remembered for another reason in motivated to do so because he saw the need for courses of addition to its significance in the history of gymnastics. In study in Bible and church history for young men. Thus the that year the school was given the power to grant degrees school was opened on January 5, 1885 in the old Hope of Bachelor and Master of Humanics, and Bachelor and Church Chapel. Local churchmen and a physician were Master of Physical Education by the Department of Education pressed into service as instructors. of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but that is not our After a move to Winchester Square for a brief period, interest in this brief history of gymnastics at Springfield. In the Training School became firmly established on a newly purchased thirty acre tract of land overlooking Lake Massasoit. By 1905 the course of study had been extended to three years and a thesis based on original research was required of every student to earn a diploma. Despite the small number of students and the unattractive appearance of the new campus, the Training School had made an impact in its twenty years of life. For example, a man named Luther H. Gulick, a combination of the reflective and the active, who joined the faculty in 1887 as Director of the Department of Physical Education, was beginning to gain national fame for his research and discovery on the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. This was many years before a similar announcement by the Surgeon General of the United States. Under his leadership in those days, physical education as a profession was beginning to gain important status, at least in New England. Also in those early days the game of basketball was invented by a faculty member, Dr. James Naismith. Another alumnus, John Morgan, had invented volleyball at just about this time; and football coach, Dr. James McCurdy, had recently The 1917 team: top row; Harry Abbott, Charles Dahlgren, Herman started experimenting with an entirely new concept. He Hillebrandt, Coach Louis Schroeder, Frank Lenhardt. Middle row; Fred Bode, Leon Kranz, Captain Les Judd, Clifford Horton, John Jefferson. suggested to his varsity football that he spiral-pass First row,- Carroll Bryant, Charles Wilson. The J932 team, one of the best: Back row; Tony Yuasa, William Footrick, Peter The Balancing Trio in 195J: fop fo bottom; Pretka, George Pauff, George Syme, Bernard Toan, Carl Slader, William Tangley. Wolcott, Bob James, Jim O'Brien. Front row; Coach Judd, Arthur Conn, John Seeley, Captain Lyle Welser, Clyde Shotzbarger, Elmer Stasse, Clarence Miller, David Bewick.

Memorable Moments

Eastern Intercollegiate Champions in 1967-. left to right; Dr. Edward Steitz, Director of Athletics, Coach Frank Wolcott, President Wilbert E. Locklin, The Balancing Trio in white powder in 1940: top fo bottom; and Robert Whitelaw '50, Associate Commissioner of E.C.A.C. Bill Rappaport, Bill Lewis, Clive Smith.

— 5- the school yeor, 1904-05, an organized gymnastics team representative team from the College. The 23rd St. YMCA with a coach, a team captain, and manager brought about was not entirely foreign to the College, for Dr. James the birth of the present day gymnastic exhibition team. McCurdy, Director of the Graduate School of Physical We must keep in mind, however, that gymnastics actually Education at the time, had previously served as Physical got its start at Springfield on an informal basis in the school Director of that branch. year 1891-1892. In 1891 faculty member Dr. H. F. Kallen- The purpose of the early exhibitions intended to show berg brought together a group of men interested in the nothing more or less than the work of the College. As the sport of gymnastics. The team had such members as Dr. College developed the purpose took on a new meaning. James Naismith, the originator of basketball, Amos Alonzo Team members, with a restless, compulsive urge to rectify Stagg, the grand old man of football, and Dr. Frank N. the sameness of the times, not only demonstrated an im­ Seerley who became Dean of the College and served in portant phcse of the activities program of physical educa­ that capacity for more than thirty years. Dr. Lufher Gulick, tion, but also served as an incentive for many groups of who originated the inverted triangle signifying the phil­ Alumni along the east coast to meet and organize as osophy of the development of the whole man in spirit, Alumni chapters. mind, and body, was also affiliated with this early gymnastic Creative work in any historical review tends to come in group at the College. It's interesting to note that today, concentrated bursts of activity during identifiable periods. in 1969-70, Springfield College has o Seerley Room, a The history of gymnastics at Springfield indicates these Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and a Gulick Hall. imaginative bursts to have coincided with the arrival of great men on campus. These men were abundantly endowed The Boys from Cleveland with that rather mysterious and elusive quality of con­ Four students from Cleveland, Ohio came to Springfield temporaneity which brought about results that still reach in 1900 with experience and interest in gymnastics. These down the years to touch Springfield men and women students demonstrated their skills at various campus functions, everywhere. and soon influenced others to become interested in this comparatively new activity. They soon began putting on It was customary during the early days of gymnastics at exhibitions in neighboring communities, as well as on the Springfield for faculty members to give explanatory talks as campus. the work was demonstrated, telling of the value and meanings of the drills performed. Dr. Luther Gulick had John H. Scott, remembered for his sagacious maturity, this chore for the Springfield gymnastic team. was elected captain and manager in 1904, and the ex­ hibition team was formally organized. This first team was The Demand Grows also coached by Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott has been credited As might be expected, it wasn't too long before the with introducing gymnastics to the Brooklyn Central YMCA demand for more exhibitions increased. There were many in 1905. In later years, when Frenchy Kern '28 was Brooklyn lively moments for those gymnasts as they planned, with Central's Physical Director, Mr. Scott was in the insurance utterly convincing imagination, more and more features to field in Brooklyn. The first full time coach was Louis C. make for an interesting program. The style of demonstrations Schroeder '12, who was appointed in 1915. Jim Summers inevitably changed. As each new season started, the 11, the man who brought Springfield to South America a program was improved and enlarged. The number of ex­ few years later, helped with the coaching of the first team. hibitions and the amount of territory covered by each team He taught o calisthenic drill routine and gave an individual increased each season. Even though the record shows that exhibition of club swinging. Schroeder was succeeded five in 1903-1904 J. H. Scott organized on informal team years later by Leslie J. Judd, a member of the team prior which scheduled exhibitions in Springfield, Holyoke, Pitts- to and immediately following World War I. Under his field and Windsor Locks, the first formal organization tutelage the gymnastic exhibition team really came into its occurred during the 1904-1905 school year. At this time, own as the young coach instilled in his athletes a desire A. E. Metzdorf '05 was named as the team's leader. He to learn with a fierce and exciting curiosity. was responsible for the organization of the first circus A bit of contemplative research on gymnastics at Spring­ which was given in May of 1905. During this season, field reveals the surprising fact that the gymnastic team fencing, wrestling, and torch swinging were added to the actually was the first team to make its appearance as a program as the year progressed. The first College-approved part of the College varsity sports program. The 1891 travel schedule appeared during this period. Mr. Metzdorf informal gymnastic team preceded all other varsity teams earned a glowing reputation years later in the fund raising at Springfield. business. He died in 1955 in Rochester, New York. When we consider that Coach Leslie J. Judd, then living In 1904, Henry H. Reinhardt '07 was named captain in Australia, was three years old in 1891, we realize that and manager. Reinhardt, a student from Orange, New 1891 was not so long ago as one measures time, but far in Jersey was an athlete of note at Springfield. In addition to the past as one measures change. How long does it take gymnastics, he played varsity football and was a star for the past to become history? Even today in 1969-70, we fencer. In inter-class play, he captained both field and ice are not out of the great shadow cast by gymnastics at hockey teams. Yet this active young man still found time to Springfield. finance his way through school by working at a Springfield During the season 1891-1892 the original organizer, laundry. While he was captain the team started its com­ Dr. Henry F. Kallenberg, on expert gymnast of the German petitive work. A meet was arranged with Amherst to mark school, arranged a competitive gymnastic meet for his the first intercollegiate gymnastic competition for Spring­ athletes. He had received his training in Germany through field. This event in 1906-1907 signaled the beginning of the Turn Vereins. Under his direction, two preliminary the dual nature of the team, a fact which has added teams from the College held a gymnastic meet with the distinction to all Springfield gymnastic teams from that date 23rd St. YMCA Leaders Corps in New York City. This is to the present. Several college gymnastic teams have believed to be the first competitive gymnastic meet for o aspired to this type of programming, but none have matched The popular Philippine Bamboo Dance in 1953: left to right; Paul Maddox, Bernie Capili, Bill Ditzler, Don Relyea, Erik Kjeldsen, Paul Roberts, Lou Primmer, Bob Denoncourt.

Tiger Leaping, one of the team's most popular numbers. Rick Block clears nine gymnasts.

Specialty Numbers

-7 — Springfield's significant success in exhibitions and in inter­ his graduation that he had been appointed to the faculty. collegiate competition. As we now know, the gymnastic team coaching responsi­ A few deserving comments must be made concerning this bility was but a part of Professor Schroeder's regular historic gymnastic meet with Amherst. Those who know duties. The major reason Mr. Judd was hired was to serve Amherst and its excellent reputation as a liberal arts as coach of the gymnastic team. Thus we can say without college of major distinction might well wonder at such a fear of contradiction that the first faculty coach of the school sponsoring a gymnastics team in 1906. It may come Springfield College varsity gymnastic team was Leslie J. as a surprise to many to learn that Amherst included in its Judd, and the year was 1921. curriculum a physical education program long before A New Era Springfield College was founded. The arrival of Les Judd as varsity coach signaled the The father of college physical education was Dr. Edward beginning of a new and distinguished era for Springfield Hitchcock, an Amherst alumnus and professor of physical College gymnastics. Under his leadership, the varsity ex­ education. This early leader in a field later developed to hibition team attained international fame. Nobody knows full fruition at Springfield, eventually earned an honorary exactly how many miles this peripatetic group actually has doctorate from Springfield in 1907. He is responsible for traveled. Under Coach Judd, the exhibition team became the introduction of gymnastics as a varsity sport at Amherst more than a group of performing gymnasts. All types of at the turn of the century. rhythmic patterns, Morris dances, sword dances, and various Diane Potter '57, the first coach of the Coach Les Judd and Coach FranklWolcott during a tense moment Dr. Charles Weckwerth '31, assistant In 1909 the record shows that the first regular pianist, women's team. in the 1967 Penn. State meet. coach during the '30's. kinds of national dances from Russia, Spain, the Philippines, Fred Gale '11, traveled with the team. Mr. Gale now and Hungary became part of the exhibition team program. owns a farm in East Lebanon, Maine. Up to this time the Numerous types of team drills such as glittering wands, demonstrations included calisthenics and heavy apparatus fundamentals of fencing, judo, balancing trios, Indian club exercises. The work was performed in a formal, rigid style swinging, clown acts, and many other marvelous features with strict cadence counting. With the addition of a piano, that now are so familiar to all who follow the Springfield a more colorful and rhythmic pattern of work was adopted. College varsity exhibition team were added to the team's Much of the success of future programs can be attributed repertoire. Apparatus work did not take a back seat to this imaginative idea of adding a pianist. During those during this period of introduction of new and exciting early days, the pianist was more than just a piano player. features. Rather, every member of the team was requested He had to have some gymnastic skills, During the final to maintain high standards of skill and ability on various pyramid act on the parallel bars, the last man up was the pieces of apparatus. Proof of this development of talent is pianist. As a rule, the audience responded with surprise the fact that prior to World War II, the Springfield gymnastic and applause to see this unusual versatility on the part of team won the New England AAU Gymnastic Champion­ a musician. ship eight times.

Louis C. Schroeder '12, Teacher-Coach During the Twenties while gymnastics was taking great Although the gymnastics team had a student manager as strides on its journey to maturity, a young man named Rene early as 1906, it was not until 1913 that the team had a Kern joined the team. Known as Frenchy, he made his mark faculty advisor. It wouldn't be quite fair to call this gentle­ as a gymnast and as a man to whom humor was never a man a coach, since his experience was rather limited. He missing ingredient. As a student and alumnus Kern proved did, however, serve as a director for gymnastic activities. that a cheerful approach to a serious situation can add to This man was Professor Louis C. Schroeder '12, who had Three assistant coaches of the '50's, Erik Kjeldsen '54, Walter Johnson '51, Irvin Schmid '43. Mimi Murray '61, Coach of the 1969 national cham­ the grace of humanity. Kern was a member of the team served as the team captain during his undergraduate days. pionship team. which traveled to Mexico in 1925 to interrupt a revolution, Now that he was a member of the faculty, he was ap­ meet the presidents of two countries, and teach Mexicans pointed to specific duties with the gymnastic team in addition a few things about "Gringo" humor. to his regular teaching responsibilities. His teaching assign­ For three years (1931-33) the Springfield team was a ments centered on practice and theory of coaching various member of the Eastern Gymnastics League with such schools sports. The start of World War I in 1917 brought about as Dartmouth, Princeton, M.I.T., Navy, and Temple. many changes on the Springfield campus. Students were The Statuary Story recruited for the Armed Services right out of the classroom. Perhaps the greatest contribution Coach Judd made to Classes were accelerated in order to graduate men early. the exhibition team has to be the world-famous living Varsity sports were virtually eliminated. Faculty members Statuary of Youth. Professionals in the field, however, have became involved in the war effort. In 1918 Professor honored Judd for his contribution to such forms of artistic Schroeder obtained a leave of absence to become a physical education as emphasis on the dance, rhythmic member of the United States Armed Forces. Thus from 1918 gymnastics, and the use of various types of hand apparatus. to 1920 the varsity gymnastics team remained inactive. The story of the birth of the living statuary tableaux is One of those whose college career was interrupted by more than interesting. As a young man in Australia Les World War I was Leslie J. Judd, a brilliant young athlete Judd had witnessed competition in music, drama and from Australia who entered Springfield in 1914. Judd pageantry at the annual interstate festivals held in Victoria, served overseas in combat with the Australian Army Medi­ the cultural center of Australia. It was here, while viewing cal Corps as a YMCA representative. He saw action on Greek scenes in marble, that he first conceived of the idea the western front and almost lost his life on one occasion. of the tableaux. According to the record, the first Springfield Perhaps the brightest thing that happened to Judd during College living tableaux were in connection with Com­ this period was the fact that he met his future wife, Muriel. mencement Weekend pageantry and canoe carnivals Returning to Springfield after the war as a student, Les around 1934. The posing athletes were then covered with Judd became captain of the 1920 team. The fact that a snow white marble substance. Neither Coach Judd or his freshman gymnastic coach, Charles F. Weckwerth '31, Judd's unusual leadership ability was recognized by the The 1925 team in Mexico City, left to right; Everett Ellinwood, Bob Brown, Wayne Barnes, Paul Miller, T. P. Roberts, Al MacCullough, Oscar litjenstein, Mrs. Les Judd, College is given credence with the announcement upon Coach Judd, BUI Finn, Ray Heidtoff, Henry Klaubert, Lew Braden, Wilber West, Larry Ludwig, Rene Kern. were satisfied with this white makeup,- consequently, they Top Gymnasts of the 1950s

Jeff Cardinali, one of Springfield's greatest Emerson Dunton '56

-10- carried on several experiments. At the Winter Home­ coming in 1935, the statuary group was presented to the large audience. The same white substance was used. Usually no more than three men prepared for the display. The tableaux depicted were imitations of famous Greek statuaries such as "The Thinker" by Rodin and "The Dying Gladiator." Other tableaux illustrated the joy of effort and the love of competition that characterized the Springfield philosophy and tradition. R. Tait McKenzie, the famous Canadian sculptor, was a great inspiration to Coach Judd both personally and pro­ fessionally. Tait McKenzie's "Joy of Effort", a bronze wall piece, now hangs in Carlisle Foyer on the Springfield College campus. Some credit for the first break-through in the use of metallic bronze should go to Charles Weckwerth. Many years before he entered Springfield, he had seen metallic bronze paint used in a display at one of the clubs he attended as a youngster. Hence, he knew it could be done. The Balancing Trio in 1942: top to boffoi Roger Burke. Jack Farquhar, In May of 1937 Weckwerth asked Coach Judd if he could and Abe Friedman. be responsible for the demonstration portion of a convoca­ In 1939 the team was invited to present its living statuary tion entitled, "Symbolism in Expression as Applied to as a finale of the International YMCA Championships in Physical Education and Recreation." Coach Judd was Detroit at the Olympia Stadium. The program was presented happy to comply with Weckwerth. At this time Weckwerth before an audience of more than 18,000 and was received passed along to Coach Judd information regarding the use enthusiastically. An interesting sidelight to this 1939 team of bronze paint for the living statues. The result of this is the fact that it presented an exhibition at Johns Hopkins suggestion led to Judd making the first bronze concoction University in Baltimore that year. One of the Johns Hopkins for the program. Later, seeking a more effective color for students in the audience that night watching the electrifying the paint, Mr. Judd discovered that a silver makeup could exploits of the gymnasts was a young freshman named easily be produced and was more adaptable to various Wilbert E. Locklin. This was his first contact with Springfield colored lighting combinations. The team still uses the silver College. As we know, he later became the 9th President National Recognition of the College and is today serving in that capacity. From the beginning in 1937, the popularity of this "Men The late thirties and early forties saw the team continuing in Bronze" feature spread rapidly. In just a few years its busy travel schedule. It was during this period that the Coach Judd's themes won national and international team traveled to Canada for a very special exhibition. The acclaim. Several national film studios made short subjects story of the bus being snowbound in Canada and then of the tableaux. The editors of Life magazine, realizing the pushed across the border by gymnasts in order to meet an uniqueness of the statuaries, published a feature story on engagement in Bangor, Maine is worth listening to. the tableaux and the College in their January, 1939 issue. Members of that team welcome the opportunity to retell Many other national magazines have followed suit. the story. Prior to World War II Time Magazine produced a During this period three remarkable students of the Class number of film features known as, The March of Time," a of 1942 are especially remembered by coaches and class­ series featuring vital issues and developments of the period mates alike for their skill as gymnasts. They are Abe Fried­ in dramatic and picturesque form. These short features are man, Roger Burke, and Jack Farquhar. These men formed now priceless and are filed for posterity in the Museum of what Coach Judd has called the greatest balancing trio Modern Art Film Library's precious archives in New York in the history of the College. They had a habit of climaxing City. Few of those old enough to have seen and heard their part of the program by falling out of a three-high those films will ever forget the voice of Westbrook Van feet-on-shoulder position to a roll-out and then rolling Vorhees, the narrator for the series, closing each feature back up to the three high position. No other Springfield in stentorian tones repeating, "Time Marches On!" gymnasts have been able to duplicate this feat. One of those famous films featured Springfield College, Dr. Roger Burke is now Professor of Physical Education with specific focus on the traveling exhibition team and the at Occidental College in Los Angeles, while bottom man Statuary of Youth tableaux, truly a highlight of Springfield's Abe Friedman is on the faculty of San Diego State College. gymnastic history. Jack Farquhar, the middle man, is a salesman with Pioneer One of the most interesting engagements for the gym Paper Stock Company in Philadelphia. team during this period was its appearance at Madison World War II led to the cessation of all varsity sports at Square Garden in New York City in February of 1937. Springfield and, in fact, the closing of the school for the The promoter of the mid-week basketball games at the duration. Garden, Mr. , was in need of an attraction Immediately following the conclusion of World War II between the double headers. Thus he invited the Spring­ in 1945, plans were introduced to reorganize gymnastics field gymnastic exhibition team to perform. The show was at the College. Coach Judd returned to the campus, and, an unqualified success. The Madison Square Garden thrill once again, Springfield's gymnasts started traveling around seekers applauded loud and long, and the New York the country. A number of fine athletes were featured as papers headlined the event the following day in their members of this post-war team, but none was greater than sports pages. Henry Etheridge '48. Henry was probably one of the finest

— 11 — Shining Stars of the Sixties

Tom Avchterlonie '67

Rick '65 and Judy (Pyh) Block '68

-12 — gymnasts ever to attend Springfield College. The news of his sad and sudden death a few years after his graduation came as a shock to all who knew him. Shea Stadium in 1965: top to bottom; Ron Peek, Steve The College Goes Co-Ed Ross, Co/ Minor. The College became co-ed in 1951, thus indicating a new day at Springfield. It wasn't too long before these young ladies began clamoring for a role in varsity gym­ nastics at Springfield. Finally, with Frank Wolcott and Betty Wiesner '58 setting the pace, in 1958 a small group of girls did become a part of the varsity exhibition team. However, they were given the privilege of performing at Winter Homecoming only. The girls became a part of the traveling exhibition team in 1962 under the coaching of Diane Potter. The honor of being the first woman captain of a Springfield College varsity exhibition team belongs to Katie (Wallace) Tetreault, of the Class of 1963. The addi­ tion of girls to the varsity exhibition team roster added a new dimension, new beauty, new grace, and in general, a new and bright future for Springfield gymnastics. Truly, the appearance of girls on the program can be described as an aural and visual delight. Under the leadership of Miss Diane Potter '57, and later Miss Mimi Murray '61, the girls soon became an inter­ collegiate competitive powerhouse. Such top gymnasts as Kathy Corrigan '66, and Andie Hyland '66 were respon­ sible for leading the girls competitive team to national distinction. Miss Corrigan, who represented the United States in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, was one of twelve gymnasts from the United States who represented this country at the fourth annual Gymnaestrada in Vienna, field. At the risk of overlooking some of the great names, Austria. Kathy also participated in the U.S. Pan American the amber light shone proudly during this period on such Gymnastics in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1963. While a student as Tom Dunkley '50, Ray Chinn '51, Sam Correnti '51, at Springfield College, Kathy Corrigan was ranked as the Walter Johnson '51, Dan Rene '51, Frank Wolcott '52, Ted third leading woman gymnast in the United States. Today Hunt "53, Jim O'Brien '53, Walter Ersing '54, Bob James she is Mrs. Mance Ekas, owner of the Kathy Corrigan '54, Erik Kjeldsen '54, Tom DeCarlo '55, Joe Dischino '55, School of Dance and Gymnastics in Weymouth, Massa­ Emerson Dunton '56, Bob Freeman '56, Dick Aronson "58, chusetts. Andie Hyland, a med-tech specialist, is married Joe Dorsey '58, Tom Waddell '59 and Bob Pataky '60. to Edwcrd Reed '65, varsity swimming coach at Tufts There were many other outstanding gymnasts at Spring­ University. field during this decade, but the names presented in this In July of 1965, the gymnastic exhibition team was arbitrary listing are those most often mentioned when invited to put on an exhibition in the United States Pavilion Alumni of that period get together. Jim O'Brien, strong at the New York World's Fair. The record shows that the man of the balancing trio, was versatile enough to star in two performances at the United States Pavilion by the entire the flying rings, parallel bars and tumbling. Erik Kjeldsen's team were witnessed by the largest crowds in the Pavilion's solo performance in a series of Scandinavian individual two year history. But the biggest thrill to the gymnasts was exercises usually brought the audience to its feet in long its exhibition at Shea Stadium, home of the darlings of and deserved applause. National League baseball and New York City, the Mets. It's interesting to note the large number of gymnasts of Here some fifty thousand fans filled the air with applause the '50's decade who also starred in other varsity sports. for the seven members of the team who performed during Skip Sutherland was leading ground gainer on the football the break of a double-header between the Mets and the team and a track team point getter. Tom Waddell, who Cincinnati Reds. many Feel to be the greatest all around athlete in Spring­ At the World's Fair the team, 37 members strong, per­ field's history, was another three letter man. In 1968 formed in the open air beneath the main course of the Waddell, now an M.D. and an Army Captain, represented Pavilion with the first half of the visually beautiful exhibition the United States in the Olympic Games in Mexico City. consisting of women vaulting, floor exercise, parallel bars, His event was the grueling and demanding decathlon. the balance team, and a Japanese dance. In the late '50's and early '60's, the Springfield gymnastic The second half of the show highlighted performances team was featured by the performance of Jeff Cardinal!. on the uneven parallel bars, the trampoline, the high bar, He was good enough to win a berth on the U. S. Olympic and the rhythmic exercises. Squad. In 1960 he was rated 12th in the nation, while in A special video tape of the team was taken at the RCA 1961 he was declared NCAA parallel bar champion. Pavilion to be shown at the Fair for the remainder of the Later he served as assistant coach to Frank Wolcott and is 1965 exhibition year. today varsity gymnastic coach at the Coast Guard Academy The Gymnasts of the '50's in New London. To return to our chronological history, the decade of the In 1955 Frank A. Wolcott '52 became the varsity gym­ 1950's saw exhibition gymnastics reach its zenith at Spring- nastics coach. Under Wolcott's leadership the team has

— 13 — developed into a strong competitor in the Eastern Gym­ His team-mates and fellow students have not and will nastics Intercollegiate League. Although the team still not forget Larry Solomon. continues its program of traveling exhibitions around the In the spring of 1969 the student body, with varsity country, it also has a reputation as a competitive team. gymnasts setting the pace, raised over $1,400 in contribu­ Coach Wolcott is today president of the National Associa­ tions to aid Larry in his struggle for rehabilitation. In late tion of Collegiate Gymnastic Coaches and has twice been April the varsity exhibition team, in a benefit show at named Coach of the Year in his division. Competing against Queens College, New York, performed before 5,000 such teams as Penn State, Syracuse, West Point, Annapolis, spectators. Every member of the team, the bus driver, and U. Mass., Temple, Pittsburgh, and Cornell, the team cap­ each coach bought a ticket to enter the Queens College tured a tie for first place honors in 1967. Two of the great gymnasium that night. All income from this exhibition was gymnasts who participated on this team were Bob CargiN, added to the Larry Solomon Fund. all-around, and Tom Auchferlonie, side-horse. There are are few gymnastic buffs who will ever forget Auchterlonie, Story Without End in a do or die situation, capture first place over Penn State This is a story which has no ending. Gymnastics at with a 9.6 side-horse routine. The entire audience of Springfield will go on for ever. The rich tradition estab­ 3,000, including the Penn State team, arose simultaneously lished by so many men with so much foresight so many as Tom completed his perfect performance. The applause years ago will continue, as long as there is a Springfield was deafening. Auchterlonie still gets goose pimples as College. relentless memory recalls that magic moment. There is an unusual human yearning in everyone for something permanent and enduring, without the shadow In recent years the men's gymnastic team has finished of change. Each year the varsity gymnastics exhibition team, second and third in the NCAA College Division National Championships, while the women's team in 1969 captured both men and women, rekindles the spirit of Springfield, a the National Championship in their division. In addition to changeless presence on the campus by the lake, alive Cargill and Auchterlonie, other bright stars of the '60s today as it was in 1905 when the first gymnastics team have been Ron Peek, Lou Riccitello, Bob Elsinger, Tim was organized at Springfield College. Rogers, Bruce Wright, Patti Corrigan, Karen Stewart, Mary Late last summer, while walking along a sandy stretch Ni, Kothy Anderson, Linda Beyer, and Judy Markell. of beach on the Rhode Island coast, we found ourselves No history of gymnastics can be complete unless mention reflecting on the saga of gymnastics at Springfield. Some­ is made of the tragedies and mishaps which occurred how the message of hope as expressed in the statuary of during the development of gymnastics as a varsity sport at youth tableaux overshadowed all other thoughts on the Springfield. In 1951 on March 30th, Dan Rene '51 received gymnastics team's history. As far back as 1937, when the a fractured spine when he fell at a gym meet at the Uni­ bronze tableaux were first introduced, each number repre­ versity of Michigan. The courageous story of Dan, his sented a dream of mankind—-Peace, Love, Brotherhood, serious back injury, and his fight for adequate insurance Aspiration, Cooperation, Freedom, Faith in God, and a coverage for college athletes was featured in the October, United World. 1951 issue of "Redbook", a magazine of national reputation. The college student of 1969 questions almost every Estimated medical bills for Dan Rene totaled $3,500. tradition and value held sacred by the "over thirty" The College insurance was able to pay for only $500 of generation, but he continues to express a plea for peace, this amount. Somehow it didn't seem fair. A stranger in love, brotherhood. He does this by wearing beads, peace Atlantic City, New Jersey didn't think so either. He symbols, Flowers, long hair, and beards. The Springfield offered Dan a check for $3,000 for the sake of sports. Dan refused the offer, however, feeling that it would hurt gymnast has expressed his idealism through the tableaux. the campaign he had launched to secure more adequate In the 1940's we spoke of Shangri La, a place of perfect insurance coverage for college athletes. peace and harmony. When John Kennedy was President As the result of Dan's determination, the NCAA has he described a Camelot which was available to those rulings for all member colleges that adequate insurance who would work for it. Today youth is diligently searching must be placed on each and every competing athlete. for Nirvana. Dan Rene has recovered completely, and is now with One thing is certain . . . youth today cannot accept re­ the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. ligious wars in Ireland and Israel. He cannot accept a The second great tragedy to hit the Springfield College political war in Vietnam. He will not accept social and gymnastic team took place on February 26, 1958. At that racial injustice; nor will he accept the present time Donald W. Marshman '59, a pre-med student, a priorities used in distributing our nation s natural resources. campus leader, and one of the most popular students at Perhaps Springfield's statuary of youth best reflects the Springfield, was killed in a fall from the flying rings. dream of all mankind. Perhaps the Springfield idea has Marshman was warming up on the flying rings in Judd come of age. The Springfield concept of friendliness, a Gymnasium just prior to the regular 4:00 P.M. practice concern for others, and a sense of purpose goes back to when the accident occurred. Don was an honor student, 1885. Since 1937 the gymnasts of the college have ex­ president of his class and president of the pre-med majors pressed this concept through dramatic tableaux, While club. some have ridiculed these tableaux as pure camp, corn In the fall of 1968, just before the opening of a new and Pollyana thinking, anyone who has ever seen the gymnastic season, Larry Solomon '70 suffered a broken displays has been touched, at least for a moment, with the vertebrae during a practice session. At the time he was thought that perhaps life can be better than if is. attempting a Yamashita vault on the long horse. As this Perhaps the proper name for the best known tableau history of gymnastics is being written Larry Solomon is should be "Aspiration of All Mankind". confined to a wheelchair. — H. G. L

-14- THE DISTAFF SIDE

Springfield's Girls

Kathy Corrigan '66 Andrea Hyland '67

t: National champions in 1969: left to right; Linda Beyer, Judy Markell, Mary Ni, An experimental girls team, 1962: back row; Ruth Stevens, Lynn Patti Corrigan, Captain Bonnie Remo, Karen Stewart. Gregory, Gail Williamson, Unidentified, Dana Loomis. Third row; Bonnie Bessette, Lynne Bryant, Peggy Lance, Katie Wallace. Second row; Carol Nissley, Sandy Swanson, Sue Eberhardt. Front; Mary Holsapple.

A co-ed balancing team in 1963: Carol Nissley, Karen Stewart '70 Steve Ross, Leon Mackiewicz. -15- — 16-