The Sports Banquet Circa 1948

I do the “Looking Back” Column and am always finding interesting stories that concern the town and its then citizens. I stumbled on one of those this week and I hope you find it interesting too.

Seventy-five years ago, athletic banquets were a big deal. There were guest speakers. People dressed up, yes gentlemen…suits and ties, and tickets were sold that included a meal…potluck would come later, much later. There was even a toast-master. This was true even in a town the size of New London. The Journal’s write-up is a glimpse into the past and how things have changed.

The date is March 15, 1948. The speakers were John O’Donnell, editor of the Davenport Democrat, and John Lundgren, the sports editor of the Burlington Hawkeye-Gazette. O’Donnell discussed the importance of athletics. He said, “Only in the United States where athletics leads all entertainment have we avoided the military trend. Athletics were forbidden in Germany before the war. All other nations don’t learn the lesson of give and take. From the time our kids are knee high there is a continuous flame of competitive spirit.” The point he was making, three years after the end of WWII, is that sports will keep this country on an even keel. By “even keel,” he seems to infer that athletics are a deterrent to a country becoming bellicose. A certainly unique philosophy…

He continues his talk discussing venues such as the Iowa Field House. Built just a few years ago, they were quickly running out of room as the “interest in sports is growing faster than present facilities.”

O’Donnell’s remarks also praised the skill and ability of former NL Tiger great and Iowa Hawkeye Burdell “Oops” Gilleard who left Iowa, enlisted, and was killed in action in WWII. He also praised former New London Coach Harold Tackleson for his contributions to NL athletics. O’Donnell attributed the success of the football program to Tackelson and the boys who came out in 1930, 12 strong. Interest grew from there and by 1948, there were 34 out for football.

It was reported that “to a man and boy in the audience, O’Donnell was the best speaker appearing before the banquet crowd in years.” They hoped he would be invited back by the Chamber for next year.

Lundgren, the second speaker, reviewed the origin of basketball and outlined the difficulties in formulating a set of uniform rules for the nation.

Then the current Tiger coach, Emmett Barton, discussed the season. He singled out Coach Bill McKinnon and other previous coaches for the success of the 1947 team. He talked about each player and presented them with their hard-won awards.

Irving Synnes, president of the Chamber of Commerce, the group that sponsored the banquet and program, welcomed the guests. The honored guests were, of course, the high school athletes. He then turned the program over to E.E. Wessel, the Mayor and Journal editor.

The meal was prepared by Mrs. Harms, the homemaking instructor and the lunch ladies. It was a fine ham dinner. The meal was served to 147, with only 10 reservations going unfilled. The girls of the homemaking classes served the meal. The tables were decorated in school colors with candles and flowers and each person received a black and gold program.

It was reported that Supt. Roy Wise, E.R. Leedham, and S.P. Shores and Mr. Synnes contributed much to the success of the banquet.

As the years passed, sports banquets changed. In 1948, there were only boys being honored. Girls’ sports would eventually became a big part of the athletic landscape in New London, which was certainly needed and a definite improvement.

But Banquets changed. Everyone now brought food to share and their own table service, Eventually there were no special speakers and no outside sponsors. Attendance by both parents and athletes waned over the years. Today the banquets are for individual sports and arranged by the coaches. They eat at a restaurant and have a little program. Sometimes parents attend, but not always.

We keep what we deem important and maybe banquets fell by the wayside. But for me, I would have loved to attend this one… it would have been a great night out!