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Washington, D.C., 1923. "Catholic University basketball team." An interesting array of affects here. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.
The picture was taken in the gymnasium that is now the School of Architecture at CUA
And the early "Chuck Taylor" Keds are really great!
Chuck Taylor wore Converse All-Stars as a player. Later, he sold them for Converse and after adopting his suggested changes the shoes were renamed Chuck Taylor All-Stars.
Look at all the buttons. The coach seems overly concerned with making sure a sudden gust of wind doesn't rob him of his overcoat.
This does not look like a very happy group. The man standing back row extreme left was destined to be a funeral director, I've rarely seen a more somber looking mug than his. Did they ever win? Did they use bigger balls in 1923? Inquiring minds want to know. (Do you know why firemen have bigger balls than policemen? Because they sell more tickets.)
reminds me of Pat O'Brien in the 1940 movie "Knute Rockne - All American." Wonder if he ever said, "Let's win one for the Gipper"?
Speaking of Chuck Taylor, he was reportedly born and lived as a kid in Azalia, Indiana. Which just so happens to be my hometown. Not much there though. Closed down (and recently burned) school, grain mill, Friends Church and about four stop signs.
I wonder what happens when the basketball bounces on the laces.
Looks like they're holding a dance in the gym after (before?) the big game.
As a more recent graduate of C.U.A., I wonder where this photo was taken. And the early "Chuck Taylor" Keds are really great!
Cool pic. My great-grandfather was the head security guard at Catholic U. the same time this photo was taken.
A lot of "strong" noses there. Some look like they've seen the end of a fist. Or maybe it's just the shadows.
The knee pads stand out, as well as the belt buckles. I suspect that players must have tripped and fallen a lot back then, but that the game was not otherwise as physical (in terms of bodily impact) as it is today. Elastic waistbands must not yet have been available. I sorta like the rolled-down socks, too. Reminds me of the ladies and their stockings in the period.
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