McClymonds track champs
By: usermattw
Tags: Oakland, photography, sports, vintage photography
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What it is:
Photo measuring 6.75 x 4.75 inches.
What I know about it:
Written on the back in pencil is McClymonds Track Team taken year ’31 “O. A. L. Champs”
Comments:
In honor of the opening weekend of the Olympics, I thought I’d post something representing athletics. Sadly, that category is rather underrepresented in my collection. Clearly I need to get working on that. But I thought this photo would do. In keeping with the spirit of the Olympics, what we have here is not just some athletes, but a team. A team of amateurs, no less. And a rather multiethnic one, too, even if the darker faces are stuck in the back. I wasn’t sure what McClymonds was, so I Googled it, and it turns out to be a high school in Oakland, California. It’s just across the bay from me and I had never heard of it. “O. A. L.” would be Oakland Athletic League, the sports league of the Oakland public school district. It may not be terribly patriotic of me, but I don’t really care who wins the Olympics as long as everybody plays well and has a good time. On the other hand, it pleases me that my photo here is a photo of the champs, though I’d be happy with it regardless.
Pics of Then 
Theoretically, the Olympics is supposed to be amateurs too. Like you, I do not care who wins, only that sportsmanship prevails.
Yep, that’s why I thought a picture of amateurs would be appropriate, at least in theory. 🙂
A good percentage of these guys look genuinely happy. I quite enjoy this photo. Yay Oakland!
Yes, they do. Not just smiling, but happy. I’m glad you like it, too.