This photograph, circa 1959, shows the Springfield College students who performed a soft shoe number during a SC gymnastics exhibition team performance, most likely during their annual Homeshow. Tom Waddell, class of 1959, is on the far right in the top row. Soft-shoe, a style of tap dancing, is a relaxed, graceful dance done in soft-soled shoes and popularized in vaudeville. It preceded what is currently considered to be modern tap, but has since declined in popularity. The soft shoe number is just one of many types of dance, gymnastics and physical feats of strength, art and agility that the gymnastics exhibition team still perform to this day. For biographical information on Tom Waddell, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/155. Photograph appears in the Souvenir Program for the 1959 Springfield College Gymnastic Exhibition Team.
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.
