This black-and-white photograph that shows two Springfield College gymnasts, David Porter, Jr. (left, class of 1935) and Robert A. Burcaw (right, class of 1935), dressed as clowns. One is standing on the ground and leaning against the parallel bars; the other is standing on the parallel bars and holding a club above his friend’s head. This was part of a routine that the Springfield College gymnasts performed during exhibition shows. After the exhibition team performed at Madison Square Garden in February 1937 between a doubleheader basketball event, the local newspapers wrote that they couldn’t believe the clown act wasn’t a professional group hired from an agency. The history of gymnastics at Springfield College stretches nearly as far back as the school’s founding in 1885. Leslie Judd, widely considered a father of modern gymnastics, was the team’s first coach. Dr. James Naismith, the creator of basketball, was an early member of the team. For biographical information on Frank Wolcott, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/54.
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.
