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Page 17 text:
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GOLDEN YEARS J T Backward, tiini backward, 0 Time, in your fliuhti G olden years Hfty of tliem, rich in tradition and filled with memories characteristic ot the unique growth of our own Alma Mater. From the northernmost frigid village in North America to the sultry and isolated habitats of Southern climes can he found the ineradicable trace of the service of Springfield men. In Christian living, education and all of the intricate phases of that vast held of human engineering, the college at Sprmgheld is saluted in tribute this year for her ideals and tremendous contribu- tion to mankind. l o see the campus today with its splendid buildings, well-kept grounds, cement walks, and beautiful shrubbery, then to try to visualize the much different college of years past is a difficult task, d hough such was actually e.xistent, for m 1884 intense plans were being formulated for the establishment of a school for the training of M. C. A. secretaries. Reverend Allen David Reed was the dominating hgure in this movement. Due to his efforts, the school was officially opened January 5th, 1885, m the old Hope Church Chapel. During the same year, a building was erected on the corner of State and Sherman streets. Lhis included a dormitory, class- rooms, a gymnasium and a suite of rooms for the Armory Hill Y. M. C. A. During this period, a very famous group of young men were formed, functioning under the title of the “Men of Good Hope.” There were no longer any doubts lingering as to the sincere ambi- tions and positive growth of this institution. Development was ap- parent. New buildings and equipment were being acquired. Gifts and financi al endowments were prominent signs of growth. From this embryo a successful college was inevitably evolving. The early rapid growth of the college showed that it was wise to orient courses m the physical directorship and secretaryship for the . M. C. A. Dr. Luther Guhck was called from Oberhn to help or- ganize, and m 1886 the department for physical training was estab- V hshed by him and Reverend Reed. In 1890 the school for Christian w orkers was separately organized. Here was where the foundation for the later school was developed. Very early the need for more V specialized training was seen. Although athletics had always been a major interest, it was not until 1887 that Dr. Roberts finally organized an active and efficient athletic program. Here it was that Springfield initiated itself into 13
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Page 18 text:
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▼ Golden Years T T the work in which it has since so dehnitely contnhuted a systematic code of ethics. Also out of this interest in the sport world developed the games known as volley hall and basketball (the latter being de- veloped by I ames Naismith ), two games which have since grown into tremendous popularity m gymnasiums, summer camps and recrea- tional groups evervwhere. In 1891 the title of the new institution was changed from the . M. C. A. I raining School to the International . M. C. A. I raining School. From then until the present day, the attendance of international students, foreign exchanges, and active interest in world affairs have been considered of major importance upon the Springfield campus. I he early part of the nineties found the same campus we now know a barren wilderness. It was not such for long, however, as pioneers began clearing and leveling the grounds on which now stands the structures we boast. Thirty acres of property bordering the calm waters of Lake Massasoit were purchased. Then the primary bit of construction was the creation of the gymnasium. Fhis structure, which cost some S-4,000, was being built during the panic of 1893- 97. This crisis rigidly and sourly tested the new institution as to Its financial stability. Fhe college withstood the terrirtc strain, and the gymnasium was completed and dedicated to the study and prac- tice of Physical Education in 1894. During this period of storm and stress the students were smcerelv cooperative and anxious to help. I hey were always ready to assist m any duty which would help the Alma Mater become a better institution, and as a result of their manual labor, m the same year that the gymnasium was completed an athletic field was equipped. Interesting because of the seeming p aradox is the informa- tion that during these early years winter classes were often dis- missed because of the immense amount of snow surrounding the h uildmgs. Peculiar by way of analogy is the fact that Elmer Berry decided to come to Springfield at the opening of the I ' w entieth Century. After graduating m 1902, he returned as an assistant instructor m 1903. With him and the new centurv came many changes. An outstanding development of this period was the raising of the endow- ment of Sioo,ooo, and the considerate gift of the social hall by Mrs. Elinor Woods. Once more a philanthropic activity helped the growing college. After the purchase of five more acres of land, an- other gift of twenty-five acres on the south side of the lake was do- nated to he reserved for purposes of expansion. In this first decade of the new century much history m the world of sport w ' as made. Alonzo Stagg, the “grand old man of football,” who had come to the college earlv in the nineties, was turning out T T T 14
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