James H. McCurdy and Jim Thorpe (November 23, 1912)
Description:
This small photograph, "James H. McCurdy and Jim Thorpe (November 23, 1912)," is mounted on cardboard and shows James H. McCurdy, Faculty member and football coach at Springfield College, standing with athlete and Olympic star Jim Thorpe on Pratt Field at Springfield College. Thorpe is wearing a football uniform and McCurdy is holding a hat at his side. This photograph was likely taken around November 23, 1912, when the International YMCA College (now known as Springfield College) played against the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. The game captivated the local residents, drawing a crowd of seven thousand people to Pratt Field. Ultimately, Springfield lost 30-24. Jim Thorpe scored all the points for the Carlisle Indians. Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was an American athlete who played football for the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. Considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals for the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played football (collegiate and professional), and also played professional baseball and basketball. Thorpe retired from athletic competition at the age of 41. James Huff McCurdy graduated from Springfield College in 1890. Dr. James H. McCurdy returned to Springfield in 1895 as a faculty member. He contributed to the field of physical education in many ways, including his studies on the relationship between heart rate, blood pressure, and motor tasks in adolescent boys. In 1924, he published one of the first texts for Exercise Physiology. He also coached football for 19 seasons, compiling a record of 68 wins, 42 losses and 14 ties. Text on back reads, "At (?) Jim Thorpe Carlisle Indian; 1/2 back x46"
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