The first thought that came to mind when I saw this week's topic, Teams, was of my grandmothers and my dad and the sports that they played. And of course my husband, kids and grandkids and all of the teams that they have been on. I wouldn't say it runs in the family, but it seems that there are/were alot of active people doing their thing.
The most surprising were my grandmothers. They both played basketball and this was back in the 1920's & 1930's when there were not many opportunities for girls in sports. My paternal grandmother, Elizabeth then Arnold, was said to have played on an upper floor above a store if I am remembering the story correctly. It was said that they played the "Morgert girls" ( a family) and they were tough. We do not have any photos of this, just the story. I try to imagine her doing this and just smile.
My maternal grandmother, on the other hand, played on a team. Helen then Boardman, played Guard on her high school team in 1931 as a senior at Lock Haven High School in Pennsylvania. This must have been a new sport at the school, as the yearbook says that there was more turnout that year and the team was improving.
Helen Boardman, front right , 1931
Helen was also on the cheerleading squad in 1929 at a time when men were also. This photo commemorates a win by the Lock Haven High School football team against neighbor Bellefonte.
My Dad, John Heacock, who graduated from high school in 1947, played on both the football and wrestling teams at Bedford High School in Pennsylvania. He was a member of the undefeated 1945 football team that was ranked 7th in the state at the time. Dad also split his football game time by playing the cornet with the band at halftime. He never talked much about playing football but he did tell us all about his time on the wrestling teams, both in high school & college.
John Heacock, #26, third row
Dad was a smaller guy. He wrestled at the 103 lb weight class as a Freshman. By his Sophomore year, John was up to 112 lbs. and wrestled his way to the district championship and won the Pa State championship with an undefeated season. John also wrestled well in his following two high school years in the 120 lb weight class and came close to states both years but fell just short. He continued wrestling in college at Lock Haven State Teachers College and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in his Junior year. After college and the Army, John returned to Bedford to teach and assistant coach both the wrestling and football teams for 4 years.
You might ask what about you Ann? Well, I was not athletic at all and never made it past tryouts. But both of my children took after their dad who ran track and cross country. They both participated in Track and Soccer, as did all of their children, some adding other sports such as baseball, basketball, and karate. One of them even made it to the Pa State Track championships just this year.
Our daughter is currently coaching a Girls Middle School soccer team and both she and her brother have coached many recreational youth soccer teams over the years.
Team sports are great for so many reasons. Lots of memories for one.
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