Reporting from the Records

Home / Reporting from the Records
Joe Bonomo on a boat surrounded by men, lifting one man over his head with one arm.

Strength in the Silent Era

How does a strong man make a living? For Joe Bonomo (1901-1978), his strength opened doors for several career paths, including work as a stunt man and actor in Hollywood. Thanks to the Victor (Vic) Boff collection at the Stark Center, we can all enjoy a glimpse into Hollywood’s silent era and early “talkies” through...

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025
Black and white photograph of Vic Boff and Paul Bragg in swimsuits hand wrestling on Coney Island Beach. They are standing in front of large rocks with beach goers and the pier in the background.

Preserving Legends: The Victor (Vic) Boff Collection

Victor “Vic” Boff (1917-2002) was a strongman, athlete, editor, entrepreneur, author, historian of the Iron Game, and friend to the Stark Center. He was not only interested in physical fitness, nutrition, and health, but wanted to preserve the history of strongmen, bodybuilders, and weightlifters. The Victor (Vic) Boff Collection documents these interests through newsletters, catalogs,...

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025
A photograph of Dr. Mary Evelyn Buice Alderson as she stands in front of a class seated on a gymnasium floor. She is teaching or lecturing.

All About the Aldersons

The latest collection processed at the Stark Center is the Doctors Curtis Jackson (Shorty) and Mary Evelyn Buice Alderson Collection. The Aldersons were both faculty of what is now the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education (KHE) at the University of Texas (UT). Between the two of them they taught at the university from 1939...

July 29, 2024August 9, 2024