Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 16 text:

JTljr Jtfassasott normal course in physical training. In August, 1887, Mr. O. C. Morse was secured as Corresponding Secretary and Superintendent of the Bible Depart- ment. In 1890, it was decided by the trustees to form a separate corporation for the Association department, which was accomplished in [une, 1890, under the name “Young Men’s Christian Association Training School,’’ to which, the following year, was prefixed the name “ International.” The land owned by the d raining School includes about thirty acres, lying east of the old New England Railroad and on both sides of Alden street. Fifteen acres are used by the school for an athletic field and building purposes. At a special meeting held February 10, 1892, the building committee was authorized to secure estimates and specifications for the erection of a dormi- tory and gymnasium. In the fall of 1894, the gymnasium was duly completed

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Historical Sketch Prior to 1871 the Association movement was a volunteer agency. Since that time, however, it has passed into the hands of expert leader- ship, which has resulted in diversified interests in accordance with the needs and characteristics of young men. The broadening of activities demanded men whowere trained to assume the responsibilities of practically a new profes- sion; the Training School was founded to furnish these men. In 1880 the Association at Newburgh, N. Y., J. T. Bowne, Secretary, was selected as a training station for men who desired to become secretaries. In 1885, when the School for Christian Workers was established at Springfield by David Allen Reed, Mr. Bowne took charge of a course devoted to the preparation of men for the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association. This course has been steadily developed, covering both the theory and practice of the As- sociation effort. In 1886 Dr. Luther H. Gulick was secured to establish a

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' 3 Tfjc itfassasoit and opened. With the completion of the gymnasium the need of a dormi- tory was felt more than ever. The temporary rooms were over a mile distant and the work suffered greatly through inconvenience and loss of time to the Boathouse students. Strenuous efforts were at once put forth to secure the money to make possible the erection of this building. On May io, 1895, the corner- stone was laid. The construction was delayed for various reasons, and it was not until the latter part of January, 1896, that the students began to move into the new rooms in the dormitory. The total cost of the building with its fur- nishings was $41,000. Through the efforts of the students and the generous gift of Mr. Frank Beebe of Holyoke, a boathouse was erected in the fall of 1901, on the borders of Massasoit Take. This boathouse is equipped with a fleet of boats, and Massasoit Lake furnishes an admirable opportunity for training in aquatics.