Art Linkletter seated looking at program

Item Information

Title:
Art Linkletter seated looking at program
Description:
A photograph of Art Linkletter. Linkletter is seated in a chair with a group of other people and appears to be looking at a program of some sort. Charles Silvia can be seen behind him. The event is not known, but it could've been taken during the dedication of the Linkletter Natatorium in 1967. Art Linkletter was accepted to Springfield College in 1929, however due to financial reasons, he was unable to attend; yet he kept the dream of Springfield College alive. He was awarded the college's highest honorary degree, the Doctor of Humanics, in 1960. It was Arthur Gordon Linkletter, also known as Art Linkletter, who suggested that the college build a new swimming and diving facility. Art Linkletter was afamed entertainer best known for his TV series "House Party" that ran on CBS from 1952 to 1969. Art Linkletter believed so much in the project that he sold his house for $250,000 and donated the money to the project. Another $250,000 was raised by the student “Work Week” in 1967,where students worked jobs such as trimming hedges or moving telephone poles for donations. Other money was supplied by a federal grant, alumni gifts, and friends of the college. Groundbreaking took place on April 30, 1966. The natatorium had steel arches rising to 45 ft at theirpeaks. The pool was 1691' long and 44' wide, and was 4' deep at the south end and 126' deep at the deep end. With a movable bulkhead that could shorten and lengthen the pool, it was the longest indoor collegiate pool in the Eastern US at that time. The Olympic-sized pool hadpermanent bleachers that could seat 490 spectators and roll-out bleachers that could seat 510. There were two classrooms with underwater picture windows that allowed coaches and instructors to observe the swimmers. Underwater speakers allowed them to correct swimming technique as they were swimming. There was also a closed circuit television system to further analyze swimming skills. On the day of the dedication, October 21, 1967, the former Swimming coach, Charles E. “Red” Silvia and Linkletter raced each other in the new pool. Linkletterbeat Silvia by a tenth of a second. Later it was revealed that Linkletter had trained for three months prior to the event. The Art Linkletter Natatorium is still in use today as the main swimming and diving facility on campus, having been incorporated into the new Wellness andRecreation Complex that opened in 2008.
Creator:
Grimaldi, Matthew F.
Date:
[1967?–1972?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Trustees
Linkletter, Art, 1912-2010
Silvia, Charles E.
Meetings
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/23599
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
ms536-01-30-008