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  Italian Athletic Club "Lions" (1932-1938)

 

Years of Operation: 1934-1938

 

Overall Record

 

First Game:

 

First Win:

 

Final Game:

League Affiliation:  

Puget Sound Community League (1934-1936)

 

 

Team Headquarters:

620 Union Street

Seattle, Washington

Sponsor:  Italian Athletic Club

 

General Manager:

 

Coaches:

Leon Brigham (1932-1937)

Joe Wiatrak (1938)

 

Home Field(s):

Titles Won

 

1932 Seattle Community League Champions

1935 Seattle Community League Champions

1936 Seattle Community League Champions

 

 

 

 

 

Honors

 

All-League


All-America

 

The idea for founding the Italian Club (originally the Italian Commercial Club) was born at a Christmas party at the home of the late Nicola Paolella in 1919 in Seattle, Washington. Among those who attended that get-together were the Italian Consul, Mr. Unti , Drs. August J. Ghiglione and Xavier DeDonato, Judge George Donworth, Messrs. Ambrose Chiappa, Frederico M. Bassetti, Idrano Ive, Henry Q. Cervi, Fred Federici, James Rigo, Victor Nasenga, James Scavotto (Seattle City Councilman), John Madonna, Felix Rosaia, Albert G. Vena, Alphonso LaSalle and Captain Charles M. Ferro. Others attended, but their names are not available.

As a result, Mr. Federico Bassetti, editor of La Gazzetta Italiana, published a notice inviting all those interested to attend a meeting at the Fraternal Hall, which was located at the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Pike Street. It was there, on January 20, 1920, that the Italian Club of today held their first meeting. It was officially founded on April 26 of that year.

 

*  *  *

Played as "Atlantic Street Merchants" in 1931.

 

1932 Players: Tom Murray (C), Gene Glaser (C), Johnny Burton (G), Angelo Constantino (G), Ernie Campagna (G), Leo Leonetti (G), Paul Kimball (T), Dom Constantino (T), C. Weber (T), Harold Wieland (T), Larry Ryan (T) Lawrence Constantino (T), Bill Chatalas (E), Dusty Rhodes (E), Harold Hoyt (E), Alex Calder (E), Frank DeCaro (HB), Bill McGarrigle (HB), Rollie Niebauer (HB), Ike Calhoun (HB), Ken Putman (HB), Ray Rickles (HB), Clint Heppenstall (HB), Walter Dann (HB), Frank Richards (HB), Marvin Ware (HB)

 

Bill McGarrigle scored 3 TDs and 3 PAT kicks (21 points) in a 39-0 rout of Broadway that was capped by Ike Calhoun sprinted 90-yards for the final score.  He followed that up by scoring all 9 points (TD and FG) against Everett on 11/27 to claim the championship.

 

After finally laying claim to the 1932 Community League Championship, the Italians took the challenge from the West Seattle Athletic Club "big team" for the title of "City Champions".  West Seattle overwhelmed IAC by the score of 31-0, but did not dampen spirits as the celebration at Casa Italiana echoed in the Rainier Valley.

 

1932 Players: Bill McGarrigle (FB), DeCaro (HB), Richards (HB), George Neibauer (QB), Calder (E), Kimball (T), Burton (G), Murray (C), A. Constantino (T), D. Constantino (G), Chatalas (E), Leonetti, Aronen, Relgent, Rhodes, Dann, J. Rickels, Calhoun

 

Struggling through the 1934 season, the Italians came back to win the Community League championship of 1935, losing to the Olympia Senators in a challenge match against the Irish laden "Shamrocks" of the Northwest League.

 

1935 Players: Brennan King (E), Art Carlson (E), Alex Calder (E), Ray Willis (E), Johnny Burton (T), "Tubby" Graves (T), Constantino (G), Carkonio (G), Bob Musselman (C), Switchy Height (FB), Sammy Bruce (HB), Mike Koblyk (QB), Remford (HB), Robinson (HB)

 

James Scavotto had his name attached to the Commercial League trophy in 1937.

 

Coach Brigham was coaxed away to coach the West Seattle Yellowjackets for the 1938 season, winning the Northwest Championship there. Former University of Washington player Joe Wiatrak coached the Italians to the league championship of 1938 losing to the Guardsmen.

 

1938 Players:

Colasurdo (E), Cenioli (T), Morelli (G), Prosperi (C), Gilliam (G), Ghiglione (T), Carlson (E), Rapovich (QB), Mitch Gallo (HB), Hay (HB), Monk Mason (FB)

 

1932 Schedule/Results (4-1-1):  
Oct 9 - Woodland Heights  7-0
Oct 19 - Broadway Athletic Club 39-0
Nov 6 - Ballard Foresters 22-0
Nov 13 - Woodland Heights 0-0
Nov 20 - West Seattle Yellowjackets 0-31
   ^ Seattle City Championship   
Nov 27 - Everett Wildcats * 9-0
* Commercial League Championship   
1933 Schedule/Results (2-2-2):  
Sep 24 @ West Seattle Yellowjackets 0-18
   
   
   

1934 Schedule/Results (2-2-2):

 
Sep 30 - Wiseman's U-District 0-0
Oct 7 - West Seattle AC Yellojackets 0-7
Oct 14 - Uptown Athletic Club 0-6
Oct 21 - Broadway Athletic Club W FFT
Oct 28 - Happy Peppy Brewers L FFT
Nov 4 - Broadway Athletic Club W FFT
Nov 11 - Happy Peppy Brewers 20-6
Nov 18 - Wiseman's U-District 0-0
Dec 2 - Uptown Athletic Club 18-0
Dec 9 - Wiseman's U-District  
   
1935 Schedule/Results (7-1-2):  
Sep 22 - Brewster's Cigar 14-0
Sep 29 - Uptown Athletic Club 6-0
Oct 6 - Wiseman's U-District 0-0
Oct 13 - New York Bakery 7-0
Oct 20 - Port Townsend Cougars 25-0
Oct 27 - Brewster's Cigar 20-0
Nov 3 - New York Bakery 24-0
Nov 10 - Wiseman's U-District 6-0
Nov 24 - Uptown Athletic Club * 7-7
  * Community League Championship  
Dec 8 - Olympia Senators 6-15
   
1936 Schedule/Results ():  
Oct 25 - Port Townsend 25-0
   
   
   
1937 Schedule/Results (0-3-1):  
   
Oct 3 - Ubangi Blackhawks 0-0
Oct 10 - Ranch Mustangs 0-6
Oct 27 - Bremerton Destroyers 0-20
Oct 31 - Doghouse Bowwows  
Nov 14 - Ubangi Blackhawks PPD
Nov 21 - The Ranch Mustangs

7-9

   
1938 Schedule/Results (4-1-4):  
   
Oct 2 - Black and Tan Blackhawks 6-0
Oct 23 - Black and Tan Blackhawks 6-0
Nov 13 - Black and Tan Blackhawks 27-0
   
Dec 4 - WA National Guardsmen * 0-6
 * Seattle Community League Championship 
   
   
   

 

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