Growing up in the 40’s and 50’s, when “go outside and play” was almost our parents’ daily mantra, we participated in all sorts of physical activities – from neighborhood kick-the-can, softball and hardball catch, and HORSE under the garage-mounted basketball hoop to organized team athletics such as swim clubs and Little League baseball. By the time we got to high school, boys could choose interscholastic and intramural team sports, while girls had fewer options. Nonetheless, athletics and its variety of great American pastimes continue to engage and entertain us both for personal exercise and as opportunities for us to enjoy being fans.
It’s March Madness time, so in March the Class of 1960 website will feature stories about athletics in our lives. You will find stories from high school team members, personal experiences in sports, and photos of sports enthusiasts over the decades. Some of these stories have been published here during the past six months, but many will be new – supplied by you.
Share your stories about –
- Athletic teams –East or other – experiences, teammates, coaches
- Gym classes – the ones you enjoyed most, physical fitness benefits or social skills developed, amusing incidents in class
- Individual or team sports during other times of your life
- Experiences as a fan at games or watching sports on TV, major sporting events attended (Indy 500, World Series, Super Bowl, Tour de France, Chicago to Mackinac race, other)
- Days before Title IX – ways you participated without interscholastic competition, the rewards and frustrations
- Lifelong lessons you learned, however you participated and your current physical exercise (golf, walking, running, skiing, biking, hunting, other)
Send stories to Marilyn (mbellert@niu.edu) or Diane (ddzinn@aol.com). Or contact us to discuss story possibilities.
What’s on deck to read now?
