T H E D E V E L O P M E N T O F ATHLETICS AT THE Union Club of the City of T H E D E V E L O P M E N T O F ATHLETICS AT THE Union Club of the City of New York

Dedicated to the gentlemen of the Union Club

What would life be without games

by Brendan J. Contant

Copyright © 2009, The Union Club THE DEVELOPMENT of ATHLETICS AT THE Union Club of the City of New York

In the Beginning Between the soup and saddle of mutton, the three men entered into a difference of opinion over their respective yachts. Osgood Prior to the construction of the present clubhouse, suggested the shallow centerboard design of the Vesta could never survive, the idea of sport for our members was relegated to much less compete, in the open ocean. Rising to the challenge, Lorillard the outdoors, confined to universities or left to those and Osgood wagered $30,000 each, a sum greater than the cost of institutions that existed purely for the benefit of athletic their yachts. For the $60,000 purse they would race from New York endeavors. That being said, there was a natural evolution across the Atlantic to the Needles off the Isle of Wight, winner-take- that took place as the interests of the Club members all. They planned to depart in December during the most inhospitable changed from the initial need for “convenience and season of the year. Soon after, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., the twenty- advantages of a well kept hotel” to larger facilities that six year old heir to the New York Herald, entered his 107-foot schooner were equipped with impressive rooms dedicated to parlor Henrietta. While this raised the stakes to $90,000, the press estimated games and billiards. that bookies handled a million dollars in additional bets on the outcome. while indoor sport was still beyond comprehension, Eight days out, Fleetwing encountered a furious gale and heavy the confines of the warm and elegant Union Club dining seas which swept the entire night watch overboard. In a disturbing, much room provided the perfect backdrop for concocting what discussed detail, two spokes were missing from the wheel, having gone was to become known as the Great Ocean Yacht Race that over the side in the grip of the steadfast helmsman. Six men were lost. is credited as the genesis of Ocean Racing: After thirteen days, the winning yacht arrived off the Isle of Wight. The On October 26, 1866, at the Union Club’s fourth clubhouse at Fifth Henrietta rounded the Needles on Christmas day, nine hours in the lead. Avenue and 21st Street, three men dined together: George Osgood, a son-in-law of Commodore Vanderbilt and owner of the 106-foot keel This poignant story captures a glimpse of how men of schooner Fleetwing, Osgood’s brother, Franklin, and Pierre Lorillard, a certain means were able to dream big, innovate and Jr., owner of the 105-foot yacht Vesta. compete during the Club’s formative years. In many ways

Previous page: The sixth and current clubhouse of the Union Club of the City of New York. Opened August 28, 1933. Delano and Aldrich, architects. Left: The fourth clubhouse of the Union Club (1855-1903). The Challenge which began Ocean Racing was made in its dining room. Above: The Great Ocean Yacht Race, won by Henrietta, foreground, followed by Fleetwing and Vesta.

3 we live in a completely different world today; however, Welcome to the Fifth Floor the basic interest in competition has not changed one bit. Whether in a game of bridge, on a backgammon table, The exterior of the Union Club, a quiet, limestone over a round of poker, or during a billiards tournament, Georgian design, clothes a complexly organized, elegantly the tenets of a friendly contest have always been embraced proportioned set of classical rooms including squash by our membership. This booklet has been dedicated to courts and locker rooms housed behind a high mansard the history of athletics and how this particular form of roof. The dressing-room lounge, one of the most union has been most instrumental to the development of astounding rooms in , has been treated as our Club. a tented sanctuary adorned with two fireplaces and rattan furnishings. T h e H i s t o r y o f T w o Exceptional Institutions A New Game for Members

Founded in 1836, the Union Club is the oldest urban In the early 1900’s squash began to grow in popularity, social club in the country. It has often been referred to especially in cities where demands for space and time as the Mother of Clubs because it was from the Union made this an ideal sport for those in pursuit of athletic Club and its membership that many other private clubs challenges. The introduction of squash into the Club in New York and elsewhere have sprung. Patterned after was not accomplished without effort mainly due to Enos the great London clubs that had begun forming in the Curtin, for whom the fifth floor changing lounge has eighteenth century, the Union Club was organized to been named, and who was elected a Member in 1929. In promote social intercourse among its members. While the book, History of the Union Club 1836 to 1986, Mr. Curtin, squash was not initially part of this plan or even in a former World War I ambulance driver for the American existence when the original members set out to build Field Service in France, a member of the civilian staff this venerable institution, it too was derived from of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in World War II and an a noteworthy establishment in London . . . debtor’s investor who helped direct advocacy groups for the blind, prison. was interviewed in 1986 and recalled: Never officially born, but having evolved out of a need I forget just how I got involved, but soon after I became a Member for sport and scarcity of space, a game called “racquets” I was asked to explain to the Building Committee why I thought we was played in the early eighteenth century at the Fleet needed squash courts…younger members were moving away from the Prison, London’s notorious debtor’s jail. Played in an city but they wanted someplace to play squash before they went home open courtyard, it would be hard to recognize racquets in the evening. Eventually I was asked to see the President of the Club, as the predecessor of our current brand of squash, had it so I went to his very impressive office downtown, where I was ushered not been for the use of a racquet, ball and wall. In time, in by his secretary. He motioned me to a chair next to his desk and the game of racquets increased in popularity and moved invited me to speak . . .which I did, about the younger generation indoors. Then it began to be played in schools. In the wanting to play squash, and to bring in new and younger members, late 1800’s Harrow School developed a new version of and so forth. I finally ran out of breath, and paused, and he said to racquets for underclassmen as a means to develop skill me, “Mr. Curtin, evidently you do not seem to realize that the Union and keep the youngsters out of the way of more seasoned Club is not interested in attracting the type of person who wishes to players. The new game was called “squash racquets.” In play squash.” That cooked my goose for the moment. However, others the late 1880’s squash arrived in the United States, via joined me and I continued to talk to the committee, and finally it was St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. agreed that three singles courts would be installed in the new building.

Top right: Debtors playing rackets in Fleet Prison (1827). Bottom right: Fifth Floor dressing-room lounge.

4 We also lobbied for a doubles court, which would have cost $15,000 Ever since its introduction to the Union Club, squash at the time, but that was turned down. has more than paid its own way. Having proven to be a most popular activity in the Club, there are more than The present clubhouse at 69th Street was opened to the 350 members who play squash, of whom over 150 play Members in 1933, with three singles squash courts on the regularly. Over the course of a month, there are, on Fifth Floor, together with their adjoining and unique average, more than 1,000 matches played on the courts. changing-room and Turkish Bath facility. It was the first It is hard to imagine the Club without the influx time in the history of the Club that provision had been of new members at least partially drawn to our courts, made for a pastime which could be described as more let alone the revenue and entertainment value of this physically active than the playing of billiards. facility. Many of these individuals have gone on and lent support to other activities within the Club from serving Foresight on committees, to establishing new societies, to acting as Governors and even becoming President. Since the Enos Curtin was not alone in his vision on how athletics beginning of the squash program in August of 1933, we could prove to be more than just a modest diversion for suspect that 11 of our last 16 Club Presidents have been club members. In a most prescient letter, dated July 20, squash aficionados, including our current President 1929, from Union Club member, David McAlpin, to Samuel L. (“Tony”) Milbank. Building Committee member, Reginald T. Townsend, Today, on theFifth Floor you can see a history of squash McAlpin points out the following: as chronicled through the past champions whose names . . . the athletic facilities should receive careful consideration in light have been preserved with gilded calligraphy on wood of the changing conditions . . . from the experience of other clubs, one, panels: a lasting memorial to the drama that is guaranteed two or three courts has never been a very satisfactory arrangement. once the court door has been shut and the first serve Sufficient revenue is not obtained to attract the proper type of decided. supervision . . . and pay its own way. Offhand I would say that such a department could be efficiently and economically maintained with Building Traditions four or five singles courts and one doubles court . . . The only point that I am anxious to bring to your attention is that the one thing that Much in the same way as Ocean Racing was conceived brings most of my generation to a city club these days is to play such a in the dining room of the clubhouse on game. Once a fellow is there he will often sit around in the lounge or at 21st Street, the squash lounge on the Fifth Floor of other rooms of the Club, have dinner and perhaps spend the evening; our current facility has hatched more than a few notable but unless he has made specific arrangements to meet and play a game traditions. Interviews conducted for the History of the Union he is apt to go to some other club. Club 1836 to 1986 feature recollections of Philip M. Brett, Jr., who was elected in 1934: True to form, demand surpassed supply and in 1950 The Sunday Round Robin was started in the fall of 1935 by C. Arthur a doubles court was installed on the roof, and in 1980 Richards and remained active until the war, during which period Laurence another singles court was added, adjacent to it. The last Marks kept it going . . . we had a locker up there where everybody could modification to the facilities involved the conversion to get a drink-for twenty-five cents a drink, plus an initiation fee of one the international standard of squash “softball” which dollar. After the War, when the doubles court was installed, there were took place from 1996 and culminated in October 2006 twenty-five to thirty-five players every Sunday morning. In the course with the refurbishment of the first court, pro shop, new of time the group collected quite a few thousand dollars to buy the many sauna and steam room. framed prints and engravings which embellish the walls on the Fifth

Top left: Architectural detail of changing room. Top right: The original Member/Guest tournament cup bequeathed by William Shippen Davis Jr. Bottom: Original lockers, fashioned from chamfered panels, aided in storage of athletic gear, personal effects and, on occasion, distilled spirits.

7 Floor. The very handsome cup for the Member-Guest Tournament was 2006 The Union Club won at Piping Rock and in 2007 the R & T given by William Shippen Davis Jr., and it was said to have been made captured the event at Meadowbrook. The Edward E. Connor Memorial by the silversmith to the King of Sweden. Trophy has been around since 1974, chronicled by the plaque in the East Mr. Brett recalls what he believes to be the origins of the Room, and has been fully resurrected through the efforts of the Golf Annual Ball. Committee. We have had three official trips to Ireland, Misquamicut In the early 1950’s the squash group invited a few ladies to dinner prior to and Fishers Island. the Member-Guest Tournament. There was some music and impromptu dancing. The following year the dancing was less informal, and when Union Club Golf Society 2008 Schedule the membership heard about it many members complained that they had not been informed. Next year the invitations went out to the entire Tuxedo Park* Chevy Chase Club** membership, whereupon six hundred and thirty seven members and their Hudson National Stanwich Club ladies appeared: We had three bands, one on the Fifth Floor, one in the Apawamis Rockaway Hunting Club West Room, and one in the East Room. The party lasted until 5:30 am. Sebonac National Golf Club It was such a success that the first Club Ball was held the following year, Congressional** Piping Rock Club*** and it continues to this day. * Played twice – the second time as the Edward E. Connor More recently, Joseph C. Hoopes provided additional Union Club Golf Classic color on the impact of demographics on the Fifth Floor: ** Trip to Washington, DC The Sunday Round Robin really got going after the Second World War. *** Morris Cup That generation played through the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s and then, on account of age had to stop. Phil Brett, after he could no longer play, In addition to providing the impetus for the Annual Ball, would drive in from the Hamptons every Sunday to sit with the players the Union Club squash program also established the and have a drink from the honor-bar. I remember a necktie with a Robin following annual events: holding a martini glass . . . anyhow, a few years ago, as part of our new locker project, we asked Blair to open up all of the wall lockers and sure The Barry C. Good Memorial enough one of them contained the remnants of the Sunday Round Robin The annual Member/Guest Tournament was launched in – rusty cans of tomato juice, bitters and liquor. 1951. This tournament was officially named in 1988 to While it has not been documented that the Union Club honor Barry C. Good, a respected Wall Street energy analyst, Golf Society was formed within the walls of the Fifth Floor who was instrumental in the promotion of this event. The lounge, there is no evidence to the contrary. A cursory review Member/Guest is a handicapped tournament that begins in of the Golf Society roster, and one could confuse it with a October of every year with a doubles exhibition and dinner. daily court sheet. With respect to the history of this particular The dinner, known for its auction featuring colorful tradition, Peter C. H. Brown reflects on the following: descriptions of team members, handicapping system and Unfortunately I have no idea when the Golf Society was begun. I festivities that follow have made this one of the premier have asked, but the sources seem to be all over the place in terms of doubles squash events in New York City. On average, over their recollections. While I did not start the Golf Society, our current fifty teams enter. committee was formed in 2005 and has made the program more robust and deeper than years past. It used to be one outing a year, now it is up The Lindsay C. Herkness III to eight with some pretty impressive venues. This entire thing has been Memorial Mixed Doubles championed by Tony Milbank. In 2006 we started a new tournament Thought to be the first and longest running mixed between the Racquet & Tennis Club and Union Club and named it the member/guest tournament in New York City, the event Morris Cup, in honor of past Union Club President John A. Morris. In dates back to 1977 and was named after Lindsay C.

Right: Invitation to the first Annual Ball.

8 Herkness III, a ladies’ man and fun-loving bon vivant who members…I had to play six of them myself. When I left in 1993 we had was taken from us before his time on September 11, 2001. over 150 playing members. Played in April, this is always a highly anticipated event. As the physical plant needed an occasional sprucing up, The Kratovil Cup James M. Lyon mentioned: Named after Emil A. “Tovi” Kratovil Jr., a squash When it came to preserving their sanctuary, the Union Club squash enthusiast who among other things was responsible for community was always quick to raise money for new courts, the three reviving the Bigelow Cup tradition, this event dates back Caucasian rugs in the changing lounge and other improvements. to 1991 and is awarded to the winners of the Member/ Summer Guest competition. And there were times during the City’s history when conservation efforts affected Club amenities. Paul The Bigelow Cup Fitzgerald remembers the water rationing efforts of the Beyond intra-club competition was the role the Union seventies and the Union Club shower fiasco: Club played in establishing The Bigelow Cup in 1961, an I don’t remember exactly when this happened, but at some point, Union annual squash doubles competition among the Union, Club member Alex Salm thought he would do his part to bring our Racquet & Tennis and University Clubs. This prestigious showers up to code. At the time, we had the biggest, most luxurious event was resurrected by Union Club Member Tovi shower heads that dropped water by the drum. They were legendary. Kratovil, after a ten year “Greco Hiatus”* during which The city was making a big push for water restrictors, so one day Alex time the trophy served as a tip jar at Elaine’s restaurant on decided to replace the old heads with a smaller variety. While the Mayor the . of New York City may have applauded his efforts, no one on the Fifth

*The term “Greco Hiatus” refers to the disappearance of the Bigelow Floor was clapping. In fact, shortly after the incident, they sent a search Cup, both the competition and trophy. Legend has it that former party out to the garbage cans to rescue the old heads, but alas, the trash University Club squash professional, John Greco, took the cup home had already been collected.” after a heavy night of celebrating. Sources reveal that shortly thereafter his live-in girlfriend decided to move out and took the cup with her Yes, most conservation efforts have been met with resistance. to her place of employment, Elaine’s, a “watering hole” on the Upper Past President Henry J. Clay would have told you as much East Side, where it functioned as a tip jar for close to 10 years. Union when he decided to retrofit many of the reading lamps Club member Paul Fitzgerald and fellow squash veteran John Leathers with lower wattage bulbs. Shawn E. Atkinson has more apparently recognized the cup one night over cocktails and rescued it vivid recollections of how the membership reacted to the from obscurity, thereby resuscitating this long lost tradition. replacement of several incandescent bulbs in reading lamps on the Fifth Floor with more economical compact fluorescents. Preservation The point of these anecdotes is that our membership has never been beyond rolling up its sleeves to fix something T he Union Club, as t he case w it h most long-lived New York that needed attention. For example, in addition to City institutions, has not existed without an occasional plumbing work, Mr. Salm contributed time and energy buffeting from economic forces. Aidan (“Scotty”) to restore much of the rattan lounge furnishings, some of McLernon, former Head Squash Professional, recalls: which may be the original pieces designed by Delano and When I started at the Union Club in 1960, having come over from Aldrich, and wouldn’t exist without his care. the University Club, the athletic facilities were not in good shape. The Joe Hoopes also did his part when it came to clubhouse courts were in disrepair, and somewhat dingy. The game had for some repair. Just recently Joe recounted the following story reason become less popular. There were something like twelve playing about a covert maintenance operation on the sixth floor:

Top center: The Bigelow Cup, won by the Union Club ’61, ’66, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’99 and ’06. The event was not played from 1967 – 1977. Bottom left: The Union Club cardiovascular room. Bottom right: The Union Club strength training room.

11 A while back the door to the doubles court fell out of plumb and would On the west side, the casual observer could not help but not close completely. Complaints to the Club Manager went unanswered. notice several names that have been repeated, over and So one morning I decided to put together a tool bag, with an electric over, since the first tournament was held in 1934: grinder, and stop by the Union Club on my way to work to remedy the · John P. Humes was Club Champion from 1947-1951 situation. Notwithstanding my past woodworking experience, the door · E. Haring Chandor, 1954-1959 needed much more than I had expected, and after twenty minutes of · S. Wainwright II, 1961-1963, 1965, 1966, 1968 grinding, I had spent the last of my sanding disks and was completely · G. A. Kellner, 1972-1976, 1978, 1980, 1983 covered with sawdust. I had to think quickly, because if I got caught by · Alan Grant Quasha, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984-1986 the Club Manager, there would have been hell to pay. Thankfully, I was · S. C. Ubina, 1993-2002 able to fashion a mop out of wet towels and he was none the wiser. The next day I returned, this time dressed in squash clothes and went at it On the east side of the lounge, dating back to 1951, you again . . . as I was just about to finish a maintenance person caught me . . . can view history as it pertains to the annual Barry C. Good fortunately he was friendly and helped me clean up. To cover my tracks, Memorial Member/Guest Doubles Championship. Being a at the next Squash Committee meeting I asked, “who fixed the door?” handicapped event, the odds of winning it more than once are slim . . . unless you are the team of C. L. Wainwright, Eventually facilities become outdated, usage patterns Jr. and W. T. (“Treddy”) Ketcham, Jr., who managed to win change and new interests affect renovations. In the case the event on three separate occasions 1954, 1960 and 1971. of the fifth floor mezzanine, this part of the Clubhouse Treddy, while not a member of the Union Club, was contained a series of small, dark rooms that had been a fixture at the celebrated Member/Guest Doubles dedicated to a makeshift weight room, laundry facilities, Championship. A United States Squash Hall of Fame an overflow locker area and a lounge for the Club Manager. Member, seven time National Doubles Champion and a Over the years, many of the rooms were combined to World War II veteran, Treddy possessed a love for the game improve the quality of the athletic offerings of the Club. and knowledge of the players (and their idiosyncrasies) Union Club member G. F. Robert (“Rob”) Hanke was that was second to none. The Union Club was fortunate instrumental in helping the Building Committee design to have the most entertaining and charismatic Treddy the new weight room and cardiovascular facility. In Ketcham play the role of “auctioneer” at the Member/ addition, during the most recent renovation (completed Guest dinner for many years. October 2006) the area referred to as the ladies’ locker room was improved upon dramatically. Recollections Of note, during the last renovation there were approximately 290 active squash players therefore the A lot more than squash takes place under the tented Building Committee thought the new rolling locker canopy of the fifth floor lounge. For a good many years the system would be adequately stocked with approximately overflow games from backgammon competitions would 500 baskets. They were able to build 496 units and today be hosted in the changing lounge. For one weekend every they are completely full with a waiting list. Needless to say, April, during the Lindsay C. Herkness III Memorial athletics continues to be a very popular aspect of the Club. Mixed Doubles tournament, women are invited to lunch in the lounge. Then come the stories and memories, the Dynasties sine qua non of any men’s club. The reflections of a few of our senior statesmen are recorded below: The east and west sides of the fifth floor changing lounge Former Head Squash Professional, Aidan (“Scotty”) chronicle the past champions in both singles and doubles. McLernon, remembers being hired by Phil Brett and Mr. Barstow

Top: The eastern wall of the Fifth Floor dressing-room lounge – Barry C. Good Memorial Member/Guest Doubles Championship winners. Bottom: The western wall of the Fifth Floor dressing-room lounge — singles Club Championship winners.

12 while Mike Kelly was the manager. While reminiscing on his time at the In retrospect, Tony had much to regret upon hearing the elder statesman Union Club, Scotty recalled Enos Curtin and all of his enthusiasm that remark, as he walked off the court, that this was the last thime he would he lent to organizing events on the Fifth Floor. He also remembered that ever play the sport since he had not even won a point in any of the games. Mr. Curtin was in the Guinness World Records for the shot put. Scotty Tony realized he should have at least let him win a few points. also said he would be remiss if he did not mention Pat Gorman, who Russell E. Burke could not forget the party that he hosted for worked with him for 25 years as an attendant and assistant pro, and his wife in the fifth floor changing lounge. In honor of her 60th birthday, John Acosta who made his last few years as a pro easy. he could think of no better place than the Union Club to celebrate. Carroll L. (“Sonny”) Wainwright mentioned While this was not necessarily Mrs. Burke’s first choice of a venue, as wonderful memories of many happy hours on the Fifth Floor and an ardent fan of art deco interiors she acquiesced under the proviso that above, in the doubles court. Once again Enos Curtin was mentioned the party be held on the Fifth Floor (much to Mr. Burke’s chagrin). Up as one of the most beloved players and a keen competitor. “Lindsay to that point in time, the club had not hosted mixed gatherings on the Herkness, remembered fondly by all who knew him, could always Fifth Floor. To pull it off they had the party on a Saturday night and be certain to have a dinner date lined up with a beautiful girl after did their best to make the membership know that the changing lounge his squash match (we were all jealous). Shippen Davis was another was off limits that particular evening. For Mrs. Burke’s celebration, no fierce competitor. I was a member of the Yale freshman squash team, attention to detail was spared. Therefore, Mr. Burke thought it only 20 years junior to Shippen. To my surprise and dismay, he handily appropriate to decorate the lounge in a most authentic manner with less beat me in two out of three games. Guests played a big part in the than resplendent gym clothes, sports equipment and jock straps scattered enjoyment of the game. My partner, Treddy Ketcham, played with me about . . . then without warning several men, clad only in towels, came over many years and we were fortunate enough to win the Member/ out of the shower room apparently unaware of the party that was being Guest in three different decades . . . Maybe our skill lay in negotiating held for Mrs. Burke. Since they were paid actors their shades of color a good handicap . . . ” Sonny also reflected on Scotty McLernon. “His were not as deeply red as that of many of the guests. Everyone had a predecessor Walter Kinsella, was a good teacher but lacked Scotty’s wonderful time that evening . . . humor and charm. Scotty deserves much credit for the success of the James M. Lyon could not help but chuckle when he Club’s squash program. Lastly, our beloved former President, Henry described a proposal that was made by the Colony Club, a prominent Clay, now deceased, deserves special commendation for bravery: His NYC women’s organization, asking permission for their members backside bore many a blue mark the size of a squash ball; his not to utilize the Union Club squash courts while theirs were being insignificant skill did not lie in getting out of the way.” refurbished. “After the initial shock of this request wore off, a past Mr. Alex ander Salm remarked that “while the shower head President of the Union Club, and members of the squash committee, incident is true, the City Inspectors required us to save water, especially sensed that a real opportunity was at hand. Why not make a trade? the showers and dripping faucets. They had a monetary fine set up for Use of the Union Club squash courts in exchange for reciprocity at the re-inspections.” Colony Club’s swimming pool . . . a vaunted oasis that no man had Stuyvesant Wainwright II, Sonny’s brother, remem- ever set foot in.” bered that “Scotty learned to play squash at the University Club and was “The committee members from both clubs made arrangements to the nicest squash pro with whom I ever came in contact. He was a true discuss the Colony Club’s original inquiry over lunch at the Downtown gentleman who ‘made’ squash at the Union Club. He had an assistant Association. There went our fearless leaders, armed with an outlandish for a number of years called Pat Gannon who is deceased. In addition to counter proposal of their own . . . only to be stopped in their tracks taking care of dirty laundry, Scotty kept the courts clean. I don’t believe when our past President realized the woman on the other side of the there was a member or guest who did not think well of him.” bargaining table happened to be one of a few people that changed his Our current President, Samuel L. (“Tony”) Milbank, diapers when he was a baby. Needless to say, the meeting was conducted also recalled a match between him and former President, Henry Clay, with very high level diplomacy and at the end of it all, no horses were during which the much younger future president beat Mr. Clay 3 – 0. exchanged.”

The squash courts #2 and #3 post softball conversion. Photo by Timothy Perot Greer.

15 With Special Thanks

It is not hard to take for granted many aspects of the Union Club. The Governors and past leadership of this organization are to be commended for the careful analysis of pivotal issues. The easy thing for an organization steeped in tradition is to remain firmly rooted in the past. The ability of our leadership to make the right decisions when it has come to adapting to the new realities of a changing society, but also knowing when to refuse to part with tradition on other matters, has been quite remarkable. The upgrading of clubhouses, gradual movement uptown, changing of dining room policies and support of athletics were undoubtedly agenda items fraught with controversy. Wrong choices at any juncture could have carried with them dire consequences. How fortunate we are to reap the benefit of these difficult decisions and find ourselves in a position to continue to be the cynosure of men’s social clubs. Not many institutions can lay claim to an existence spanning nearly 175 years. This was by no means accidental. The governing element of our Club is one that has worked extraordinarily well. With a foundation as deep as the one laid on the northeast corner of 69th and Park, we shall hope that our organization continues to thrive while upholding the very tradition of providing for its members a respite from the pressures of city living.

Courtesy of The Squash Committee 2007-2008 Shawn E. Atkinson, Chairman Richard J. Tutino Jr., Co-Chairman

Funded through private contributions

Interior Union Club photography by Chi Chi Ubiña, Jr.