Sports History Network May 1, 1883 – Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the New York Athletic Club. The NYAC opened up in 1868 after founders William Buckingham Curtis, John C. Babcock, and Harry Buermeyer had a conversation about the rise of athletics in England. They decided to open … Read more
April 30, 1921– The Akron Pros were declared the champions of the 1920 season the NFL’s predecessor, the American Professional Football Association meeting in Akron, Ohio, months before their second season commenced. The APFA was reorganized, with Joe Carr of the Columbus Panhandles named as president. Remember that Jim Thorpe had been the president in … Read more
The 2021-22 season has been a somewhat eventful one for one Brad Marchand. As of the night of February 8, 2022, Marchand had scored 21 goals and added 28 assists for 49 points in 39 games. Back in November of 2021, he had been suspended for three games for slew-footing Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Vancouver … Read more
April 29, 1961 – It was the beginning of the “Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat,” as ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” made its historic debut. This iconic program generally shown on the network on Saturday afternoon exposed Americans to athletic events in some cases we had never witnessed before. Skiing, boxing, bowling, Rattlesnake … Read more
April 28, 1887 – Auto racing has its humble beginnings. French toymaker and engineer, Georges Bouton won what many consider to be the world’s very first car race. Bouton’s steam-powered quadricycle. Georges was not only the winner but the only competitor in the “test run” that was organized by French newspaper Le Velocipede. Bouton and fellow French countryman … Read more
