Gymnasts practicing in Judd Gymnasium

This photograph shows members of the Springfield College gymnastics team practicing in Judd Gymnasium. The gymnasts are doing a variety of activities: handstands on the parallel bar, practicing on the pommel horse, forming triples (a balancing act involving three people), and climbing a rope.The history of gymnastics at Springfield College stretches nearly as far back as the school’s founding in 1885. Leslie Judd, widely considered a father of modern gymnastics, was the team’s first coach. Dr. James Naismith, the creator of basketball, was an early member of the team. The Exhibition Team has appeared before thousands of spectators in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In fact, in 1941 the team appeared before thirty-five-thousand spectators in twenty-five cities. For biographical information on Frank Wolcott, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/54