Max MacLevy rented the property from James L. Ewell and moved to the old 65 acre Babylon Westminster Kennel Club estate around 1915. MacLevy was well-known for his vaudeville boxing exhibitions and gymnasium in Brooklyn. In addition, “Professor” MacLevy was a health mentor to Teddy Roosevelt. As a physical culturalist, MacLevy turned Westminster’s once-glorious clubhouse...
The origins of Swedish Massage are credited to a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling, who lived from 1776-1839, and was a highly respected master fencer and gymnast. He believed that the therapeutic massage technique that consisted of gliding strokes and gentle touch promoted relaxation and well-being by encouraging circulation in the body and softening...
The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports is a nonprofit that receives the funding to preserve and provide access to archival materials in the fields of physical culture and sports through the generosity of private donors. This being said, there are so many wonderful collections that are inventoried but not completely processed....
Dennis Tinerino was a prominent bodybuilder in the 1960s and 1970s. He won the Mr. Universe title four times in 1968, 1975, 1980 and 1981 and Mr. World in 1971 in the tall man’s category, and Mr. America in 1978. He was an inductee of the National Fitness Hall of Fame, IFBB Hall of Fame and National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. These are...
Early in my career at the Stark Center, we developed an exhibit about the 1914 football team, an undefeated, national-championship-winning squad, which was an easy choice of subject given the 100-year anniversary in 2014, the team’s remarkable dominance (they outscored their opponents 358 to 21), and the way the roster had become a veritable “who’s...
This scrapbook was compiled by Leona Kellum and includes events and people from the 1920s during her time as a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Leona Kellum married George A. Harris in 1927. George Harris was a track athlete at UT who earned his letter in 1924-’25 and 1930. Harris also assisted...
On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. Title IX had a significant impact on women’s sports by increasing participation opportunities, promoting equal treatment, and expanding scholarship opportunities. In 1973, University of Texas President Stephen Spurr formed a subcommittee titled the Council...
Strength & Beauty are a series of booklets published by Rosslyn News out of Studio City, California. These booklets showcase Strongwomen who not only have strength but are beautiful. These Strongwomen come from a variety of athletic backgrounds and are shown in different poses. Here is one example from the series: Strength & Beauty No....
In December 1953, the Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation published an article, “Muscular Fitness and Health,” coauthored by Dr. Hans Kraus and Bonnie Prudden that sounded an alarm about the poor state of youth fitness in America. Within two years, another article by Dr. Kraus and Bonnie Prudden (under the name...
