Wolcott, Frank (MS 514)

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In 1955, Frank A. Wolcott, Class of 1952, began working at Springfield College as a physical education professor and varsity gymnastics coach. Coaching the men's varsity gymnastics team through the 1980-81 season, he ended his career at Springfield College as the Assistant Director of Athletics in 1996. Gymnastics innovator, including the use of the parachute in exhibition performances, and educator, this collection primarily contains materials relating to his coaching of the gymnastics, in particular the men’s team and exhibition teams at Springfield College. Included within are photographs, schedules, newspaper articles, rosters, scores, and equipment. The photographs show students competing, practicing, enjoying exhibition trips, forming Tableaux, and performing during competitions and exhibition performances, including Springfield College’s Home Show. The Tableaux series has documents that describe the specific Tableaux poses, two folders of “inspiration” materials, and index cards with narration for the Home Show. This collection also includes championship information (e.g. scores, photographs, pamphlets, schedules) from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division for Girls' and Women's Sports (DGWS), and Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (EIGL). While coaching at Springfield College, Frank Wolcott co-founded the New England Gymnastics Clinic and there are some materials relating to this organization, including letters, pamphlets, schedules, and budgetary notes.