Head Synchro Coach Julie Then-President Harold Weiss protested, “Let me fi rst dispel of
Thaden notes that athletic members any fear ... that we are moving toward de-emphasis of athletics.
allow synchro to have complete In 1955 we had a more varied program, spent more money on
teams and to level the playing this activity, and had greater member participation than any year
fi eld against other clubs that have in history. This to me does not sound like liquidation of the depart-
full teams. ment.”
“Athletic members usually Fortunately for the countless athletic members the club has
bring a focused and high level welcomed in the past 50-plus years, Weiss’ opinion was valid.
of commitment, since the only
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
ATHLETIC
reason they are here is to partici-
One of the benefi ts of the program is the opportunity to apply
pate in their sport, rather than to
for member status after serving the required amount of time as an
be in multiple activities,” Thaden
athletic member. Whether the athletic member is a junior, inter-
explains. “They often bring expe-
mediate, or adult, he or she must follow a detailed process that
rienced sport parents with them,
Athletic members represent
includes applying for membership, recommendation by the respec-
MAC at all levels of compe-
which enrich our boosters organi-
tive sport committee, and approval by the Athletic Committee and
tition. Several athletic mem-
zation.”
bers played tough at the
Board of Trustees.
In addition to Merki, at least
World Handball Champion- When an athletic membership terminates and the athletic
ships in October 2009.
two other well-known and beloved
member does not transfer to another membership category, all club
MAC icons joined the ranks of
privileges cease. However, an athletic member who relinquishes
the club as athletic members: Al
his or her membership to attend college and who continues to
Tauscher and Joe Loprinzi.
compete in the sport may be granted limited use of club facilities
Tauscher became an athletic
during school vacations. The training privilege is restricted to the
member in 1915 as a result of his
MEMBERS
same workout times as the athlete’s respective team.
wrestling talents. He was named
The complete athletic membership policy, which includes details
assistant athletic director in 1923
on the processes for both membership application and obtaining
and rose to the position of director
training privileges (Policy No. A-5) is available online at
in 1928.
theMAC.com. WM
Loprinzi became an athletic
— Jennifer Brown
member in 1934, competing in
weight lifting. He took the state
ATHLETIC MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
amateur title in weightlifting in
Nancy Merki, one of the
1936, was hired as an employee
•
Junior athletic member candidates must be willing to make at
club’s famed Cody Kids,
least a three-year commitment to promote the sport within the
in 1937, and retired from the club
fi rst joined the club as an
club and represent the club in competition.
athletic member.
more than 60 years later.
Former athletic members who •
Adult athletic member candidates must be willing to
complete a three- to fi ve-year commitment to promote the
are or have been prominent in the MAC committee system include
sport within the club and represent the club in competition.
Dennis Thompson, former Athletic Committee chair; and Jerry Powell,
former Cycling Committee chair and present Athletic Committee
•
Athletic members pay dues of an amount determined by the
Board of Trustees, but are exempt from paying initiation fees
member.
while an athletic member.
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE PROGRAM
MAC trustees created the club’s fi rst “offi cial” athletic membership
•
Athletic members are entitled to the same privileges of the
club as other members of corresponding age, except they
policy in 1965. According to Legacy of the Twenty-Six: “Though may not vote, chair a committee or be elected to the Board
such benefi ts were as old as the club itself, they had never been
of Trustees.
regulated. Now recipients were required to be talented athletes,
complementary to club sports needs and otherwise unable to join.”
•
Athletic members are eligible for inclusion on the Wall
of Fame. Spouses and immediate family members of
The Legacy book makes another interesting reference to athletic all membership classes are also eligible at the time of
memberships. Following the Depression and World War II, social
conversion to full membership.
activities at the club gained attention. Dances grew in popularity,
the dining room increased its patronage, and club travel no longer
•
Athletic members who qualify for the Gallery of Champions
may be recognized after transferring to a senior
centered around athletics.
membership. Spouses and family members of athletic
Because of this, in the early 1950s there was a proposal to elimi-
members are excluded from this recognition.
nate athletic memberships, which “prompted boardroom skirmishes
against erosion in the role of club sports.”
•
Parents of junior and intermediate athletic members are
issued parent pass cards to facilitate their involvement as
volunteers and as members of booster organizations.
JANUARY 2010 | The Wınged M | 35
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