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The history of hockey is the story of human cultural interaction and geographic migration. It is a game that spread worldwide from its original home in ancient Mesopotamia, along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, moving over the centuries across much of the ancient and modern world. As human society developed, the game of hockey became closely associated with practices of religion. At one point, ancient hockey and religion merged. The result being that these two disparate elements of ancient society became part and parcel of one. Ancient hockey became a celebration of religion. Later it became the game of legends, a celebration of man and his gods. [ more... ]
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11/17/2008: WILFRED JACKSON NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK ICE HOCKEY AND SPORTS HALL OF FAME
11/17/08. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Black Ice Hockey And Sports Hall Of Fame Conference has elected Wilfred Jackson as the new President of the Black Ice Hockey And Sports Hall Of Fame. Jackson, the former Chairman of the Hall Of Fame's Halifax Conference Committee, is the organization's second president, replacing Craig Smith who held the title for three years.
Wilfred A. Jackson has a Master of Science from Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Science from Sir George Williams University in Montreal, Quebec.
From 1980 –2005 (Retired), he was the Executive Director for the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children in Preston, Nova Scotia. [The Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children was founded in 1915 by James A.R. Kinney and James Robinson Johnston two of the original officials of the Colored Hockey League.] Prior to 1980, Mr. Jackson served thirteen-years as Director for the Camps and Conference Centre, Catholic Community Service, Inc. in Montreal.
Among his many activities and titles, he is the current President of the Canadian Camping Association; President for the Council of Canadian Child & Youth Care Associations; and serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth.
11/17/2008: BOXING FEATURE: NAME THAT WEIGHT CLASS
By Charles Saunders
SONAHHR Vice-President, Boxing
In 1900, boxing boasted a grand total of seven weight classes, with one world champion in each. The divisions were, in descending order: heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight. A new division, light-heavyweight, was created in 1903, to accommodate fighters who were too big to be middleweight, but not big enough to compete with the heavyweights. Light-heavyweight was soon recognized as the eighth “original” weight class.
Since then, the number of weight classes has ballooned, as has the number of title-sanctioning organizations. We now have 17 divisions, some separated by only a few pounds. And for each division, there are four “world” title belts, not to mention that of The Ring magazine.
The upside of this proliferation of titles is that deserving fighters who may have been denied a shot at a title in the old days now have more of a chance to win a belt and make big money defending it. The downside is that only rarely do “true” champions emerge from a gaggle of title-holders so numerous even a Jeopardy contestant couldn’t identify all of them.
The profusion of weight divisions is a cash cow for fighters and promoters alike. So we can’t expect consolidation or dropping of classes. If anything, more divisions may be on the way. Already, there’s talk of creating a “super-heavyweight” division to make ample room for the behemoths of boxing.
If the current classes are here to stay, one way to make them more palatable would be to give some of them catchier and more compelling names. Because the newer divisions had to be wedged between the original eight classes, they were called “junior-” this and “super-” that and “light-” something else. All these compound names have led to confusion, making it even more difficult for fans to identify champions. Even worse, some divisions are known by two or more names.
The exception to the naming dilemma is light-heavyweight, because that name made sense at the time the division was created, and it has historical provenance. The “original eight” classes are recognizable brands, and should not be changed. But most of the other “in-between” divisions are in dire need of updated labeling.
Here are some suggestions.
HEAVYWEIGHT
201 lb. and above
If the heavyweight division ever does split into two classes, “super-heavyweight” would not be the best choice of name for the heavier half – even though that’s what it’s now called in the amateurs. The term “heavyweight” has a mystique all its own, which should not be tampered with. If a separate division for fighters weighing more than, say, 230 lb. is established, it should be called “heavyweight.” The heavyweights should continue to be at the top of the boxing heap. The suffix “super” doesn’t really add anything to the division’s appeal.
So, if 230-plus pounds defines today’s heavyweights – and it does, as a look at any organization’s Top 10 will tell you – then a new division for fighters between 201 and 230 lb. would need to be established. What to call it? Maybe “powerweight, because punching power is the calling card of the heavier divisions.
Some smaller heavyweights can hold their own against the giants. For the most part, though, a fighter like 6-foot-7, 240 lb. Wladimir Klitschko has too many advantages for significantly smaller challengers to overcome. A “powerweight” championship would be a good alternative for fighters who can’t comfortably make the 200 lb. cruiserweight limit, but lose effectiveness when they bulk up for the big boys.
CRUISERWEIGHT
200 lb.
This division started nearly 30 years ago, with a 190 lb. limit. At first, its name was confusing because it was the one by which the British used to refer to light-heavyweights. The new division was also called “junior-heavyweight.” That term eventually fell into disuse. It’s a necessary division, especially now that the difference between heavyweights and light-heavyweights has widened to a chasm. The name “cruiserweight” is taken from a type of warship that is the next class down from a battleship. It’s an example of the right name for an “in-between” division, and there’s no need to change it. In this case, the authorities got it right the first time.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
168 lb.
Skipping over the light-heavies (175 lb.), we come to our first division in need to a name change. Thankfully, all the alphabet groups use the same name for the class. But it still needs a more evocative label. “Pantherweight” would be an interesting name. After all, a panther isn’t as big as a lion or tiger, but it can do just as much damage.
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT
154 lb.
Again, we skip an original class, the 160 lb. middleweights – a perfect name, by the way. The 154 lb. division is also known as “super-welterweight” and “light-middleweight.” That’s too many names, and they’re all a mouthful. The division needs a shorter name; a name that packs a punch. “Cloutweight” fills that bill.
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT
140 lb.
Another class with too many names, this one is also called “super-lightweight” and “light-welterweight.” It was one of the first “junior” divisions, created to fill the gap between welterweight (147 lb.) and lightweight (135 lb.). It took two tries to get the division going, and now it’s a mainstay. It shouldn’t be “junior” anything. So, what should it be called now? Let’s try “cobraweight,” after the deadly hooded serpent that strikes fast and hard.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT
130 lb.
This division, also known as “super-featherweight,” has a history similar to that of junior-welter. It was meant to be a bridge between lightweight and featherweight (126 lb.). It also took two tries to become established. An appropriate name for it would be “flashweight,” in honor of one of its greatest champions: Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT
122 lb.
Also called “super-bantamweight,” this is one of the many divisions that now crowd the low-weight district. Since it ranks above bantamweight (118 lb.), which is named after a rooster, a more formidable bird should define this class. “Falconweight” fits the bill.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT
115 lb.
This class is also known as “super-flyweight.” Taking a cue from junior-featherweight, let’s call this division “hornet-weight,” because even though its denizens are small, they can sting 112 lb. flyweights.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT
108 lb.
Also called “light-flyweight,” this division is perfect for a name from the past. Back when there were only seven divisions, flyweight was sometimes called “paperweight.” That name eventually fell out of use. But it should be revived for this modern class.
STRAWWEIGHT
105 lb.
The littlest division is also called “mini-flyweight” and “minimum-weight.” It deserves better. One alternative would be “atomweight,” in honor of Jimmy “The Mighty Atom” Wilde, an early flyweight champion who weighed only a little more than 100 lb., but is considered one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers of all time.
SUMMARY
Heavyweight
231 lb. and above
Powerweight
230 lb.
Cruiserweight
200 lb.
Light-heavyweight
175 lb.
Pantherweight
168 lb.
Middleweight
160 lb.
Cloutweight
154 lb.
Welterweight
147 lb.
Cobraweight
140 lb.
Lightweight
135 lb.
Flashweight
130 lb.
Featherweight
126 lb.
Falconweight
122 lb.
Bantamweight
118 lb.
Hornetweight
115 lb.
Flyweight
112 lb.
Paperweight
108 lb.
Atomweight
105 lb.
Now, you’re probably wondering whether the above is tongue-in-cheek. Only slightly. Even so, the least boxing authorities can do is agree on one name per weight class, to help ease the confusion.
11/17/2008: Stryker-Indigo To Donate Research Archive To The University of Hawaii-Hilo
11/17/08. New York City. Stryker-Indigo New York has reached an agreement with the University of Hawaii at Hilo Special Collections Library to assist them in efforts to rebuild their Hawaii Studies Collection. Stryker-Indigo will be donating all of their Hawaiian History Books and Videos from the Pele's Children production to the UHH Library as the materials are cleared from the production. In the last two-weeks Stryker has donated three large boxes of books, magazines and videos pertaining to Hawaii and the South Pacific. More materials are expected to be released and mailed out soon.
The collection of books and materials are part of the Pele's Children Soccer documentary production, a nine-part series chronicling the history of Hawaiian Soccer. The production has been ongoing since March 2006.
11/17/2008: BOXING SPECIAL: THE ENDURANCE LEGEND
By Charles Saunders
SONAHHR Vice-President, Boxing
In these modern days of boxing, when no fight goes beyond 12 rounds, the 15-round title bout is remembered with nostalgia – and some fight fans wish the longer distance could be revived. Before the 15-round limit was established, however, fights often lasted much longer. That era is considered ancient history now. No one wants to bring back 20-rounders, or the notorious “fight-to-the-finish.”
Still, there is reason to admire the grit of old-timers who struggled through matches that lasted 30, 40, 50, even more than 100 three-minute rounds under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Those early fighters may not yet have developed fully modern techniques, but their stamina cannot be disputed. Indeed, some historians hold those pioneer pugilists up as supermen, and they bemoan the decline in the quality of today’s ringmen. And they point to the endurance fights of yesteryear as the proof in the punching.
One example of a legendary endurance fight was the May 21, 1891 match between Californian Jim Corbett and Peter Jackson of Australia by way of the West Indies. Both men were leading contenders for John L. Sullivan’s heavyweight championship. Corbett would go on to take the crown from Sullivan the next year. Jackson was denied a shot at the title because he was black.
The Corbett-Jackson battle lasted 61 rounds under Queensberry Rules, which by then were supplanting the old bareknuckle London Prize Ring Rules. Depending on which record book you consult, the result was either a draw or a no-contest. The venue was in San Francisco, and the referee – the sole official – was Hiram Cook.
Sixty-one rounds! That’s three 15-rounders, plus an extra frame for good measure. If Corbett and Jackson had fought full-speed over that distance, they would, indeed, have been supermen. Especially considering that Jackson went into the match with a left-knee injury, while Corbett had hurt his right hand.
But is that what really happened?
In the November 1945 issue of The Ring magazine, Daniel M. Daniel wrote an article titled “Corbett vs. Jackson 4 Hour ‘No Contest’.” In it, he gave an account of the fight. Let’s pick up his description of the action, starting after the sixth round:
On they fought, round after round, minute after minute, clever, crafty, calculating, neither man taking any chances, each respecting the other.
In the fourteenth, Corbett belted a sharp left to the nose. This was Jim’s best punch up to that time.
The fifteenth and the next one were nothing to get excited about, in the seventeenth Corbett hurt Peter with two drives to the neck. The Negro drove right and left to the jaw and scored first blood, a distinction back in those diaper days of glove fighting.
As they answered the bell for round No. 18, Jackson poked a left to the jaw but Jim replied with a wallop to the neck – and just as hard.
Jackson kept going without letting Jim get a moment’s rest. In the twenty-first round, the American, apparently on advice from (his manager Bill) Delaney, shifted suddenly to infighting, but this proved no success.
They went along into the twenty-sixth, which saw Corbett start moving out in front. In the twenty-seventh, the Negro rallied, but in the twenty-eighth, Jim outhit and outboxed his man and showed a slight advantage.
In the thirtieth, Corbett kept right on rushing his opponent. With this session the more interesting half of the contest may be said to have come to a close.
Now they realized that they would go on and on, without any evidence of definite superiority on either side.
Corbett now knew that unless Jackson’s knee gave way, he would not be able to stop him, and Peter said to himself, “I won’t win unless his hand forces him to quit.”
Punch and jump, feint and wallop, drive and scramble, they kept it up for ten more sessions, and in the forty-first, Jackson organized a rally with lefts to the head and a hard right to the wind.
After the forty-first, they slowed down to a walk. They fast were nearing exhaustion, and each was afraid he might be overpowered by Nature, rather than his opponent.
The onlookers were getting woozy. They wanted more action. They were not much concerned with anything except the fight, and the referee took his cue and told the men that they would have to tone up the fight or be thrown out.
In these days, the boys would have got the Merry Widow.
In Round No. 60, Cook said to the fighters, “The board of directors has just informed me that if you men don’t show more fight, the purse will be forfeited.”
The men walked about eyeing each other and did not land a real blow, in spite of the warning.
The onlookers were tolerant. They knew that neither Corbett nor Jackson could deliver a telling punch and wanted the referee to stop it and call it a draw.
However, had he done this, he would have recognized it as an official 61-round contest, and each fighter would have been entitled to half of the $10,000 purse.
By calling it “no contest,” the referee saved $5,000 for the California club.
“You can see that these men cannot go on,” Cook announced, “So I call it no contest.”
There you have it. The Corbett-Jackson bout was, indeed, a feat of endurance that today’s fighters – who are not trained to go ultra-marathon distances – would be hard-pressed to match.
9/27/2008: NAME THAT WEIGHT CLASS
NAME THAT WEIGHT CLASS
By Charles Saunders
SONAHHR Vice-President, Boxing
In 1900, boxing boasted a grand total of seven weight classes, with one world champion in each. The divisions were, in descending order: heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight. A new division, light-heavyweight, was created in 1903, to accommodate fighters who were too big to be middleweight, but not big enough to compete with the heavyweights. Light-heavyweight was soon recognized as the eighth “original” weight class.
Since then, the number of weight classes has ballooned, as has the number of title-sanctioning organizations. We now have 17 divisions, some separated by only a few pounds. And for each division, there are four “world” title belts, not to mention that of The Ring magazine.
The upside of this proliferation of titles is that deserving fighters who may have been denied a shot at a title in the old days now have more of a chance to win a belt and make big money defending it. The downside is that only rarely do “true” champions emerge from a gaggle of title-holders so numerous even a Jeopardy contestant couldn’t identify all of them.
The profusion of weight divisions is a cash cow for fighters and promoters alike. So we can’t expect consolidation or dropping of classes. If anything, more divisions may be on the way. Already, there’s talk of creating a “super-heavyweight” division to make ample room for the behemoths of boxing.
If the current classes are here to stay, one way to make them more palatable would be to give some of them catchier and more compelling names. Because the newer divisions had to be wedged between the original eight classes, they were called “junior-” this and “super-” that and “light-” something else. All these compound names have led to confusion, making it even more difficult for fans to identify champions. Even worse, some divisions are known by two or more names.
The exception to the naming dilemma is light-heavyweight, because that name made sense at the time the division was created, and it has historical provenance. The “original eight” classes are recognizable brands, and should not be changed. But most of the other “in-between” divisions are in dire need of updated labeling.
Here are some suggestions.
HEAVYWEIGHT
201 lb. and above
If the heavyweight division ever does split into two classes, “super-heavyweight” would not be the best choice of name for the heavier half – even though that’s what it’s now called in the amateurs. The term “heavyweight” has a mystique all its own, which should not be tampered with. If a separate division for fighters weighing more than, say, 230 lb. is established, it should be called “heavyweight.” The heavyweights should continue to be at the top of the boxing heap. The suffix “super” doesn’t really add anything to the division’s appeal.
So, if 230-plus pounds defines today’s heavyweights – and it does, as a look at any organization’s Top 10 will tell you – then a new division for fighters between 201 and 230 lb. would need to be established. What to call it? Maybe “powerweight, because punching power is the calling card of the heavier divisions.
Some smaller heavyweights can hold their own against the giants. For the most part, though, a fighter like 6-foot-7, 240 lb. Wladimir Klitschko has too many advantages for significantly smaller challengers to overcome. A “powerweight” championship would be a good alternative for fighters who can’t comfortably make the 200 lb. cruiserweight limit, but lose effectiveness when they bulk up for the big boys.
CRUISERWEIGHT
200 lb.
This division started nearly 30 years ago, with a 190 lb. limit. At first, its name was confusing because it was the one by which the British used to refer to light-heavyweights. The new division was also called “junior-heavyweight.” That term eventually fell into disuse. It’s a necessary division, especially now that the difference between heavyweights and light-heavyweights has widened to a chasm. The name “cruiserweight” is taken from a type of warship that is the next class down from a battleship. It’s an example of the right name for an “in-between” division, and there’s no need to change it. In this case, the authorities got it right the first time.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
168 lb.
Skipping over the light-heavies (175 lb.), we come to our first division in need to a name change. Thankfully, all the alphabet groups use the same name for the class. But it still needs a more evocative label. “Pantherweight” would be an interesting name. After all, a panther isn’t as big as a lion or tiger, but it can do just as much damage.
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT
154 lb.
Again, we skip an original class, the 160 lb. middleweights – a perfect name, by the way. The 154 lb. division is also known as “super-welterweight” and “light-middleweight.” That’s too many names, and they’re all a mouthful. The division needs a shorter name; a name that packs a punch. “Cloutweight” fills that bill.
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT
140 lb.
Another class with too many names, this one is also called “super-lightweight” and “light-welterweight.” It was one of the first “junior” divisions, created to fill the gap between welterweight (147 lb.) and lightweight (135 lb.). It took two tries to get the division going, and now it’s a mainstay. It shouldn’t be “junior” anything. So, what should it be called now? Let’s try “cobraweight,” after the deadly hooded serpent that strikes fast and hard.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT
130 lb.
This division, also known as “super-featherweight,” has a history similar to that of junior-welter. It was meant to be a bridge between lightweight and featherweight (126 lb.). It also took two tries to become established. An appropriate name for it would be “flashweight,” in honor of one of its greatest champions: Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT
122 lb.
Also called “super-bantamweight,” this is one of the many divisions that now crowd the low-weight district. Since it ranks above bantamweight (118 lb.), which is named after a rooster, a more formidable bird should define this class. “Falconweight” fits the bill.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT
115 lb.
This class is also known as “super-flyweight.” Taking a cue from junior-featherweight, let’s call this division “hornet-weight,” because even though its denizens are small, they can sting 112 lb. flyweights.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT
108 lb.
Also called “light-flyweight,” this division is perfect for a name from the past. Back when there were only seven divisions, flyweight was sometimes called “paperweight.” That name eventually fell out of use. But it should be revived for this modern class.
STRAWWEIGHT
105 lb.
The littlest division is also called “mini-flyweight” and “minimum-weight.” It deserves better. One alternative would be “atomweight,” in honor of Jimmy “The Mighty Atom” Wilde, an early flyweight champion who weighed only a little more than 100 lb., but is considered one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers of all time.
SUMMARY
Heavyweight
231 lb. and above
Powerweight
230 lb.
Cruiserweight
200 lb.
Light-heavyweight
175 lb.
Pantherweight
168 lb.
Middleweight
160 lb.
Cloutweight
154 lb.
Welterweight
147 lb.
Cobraweight
140 lb.
Lightweight
135 lb.
Flashweight
130 lb.
Featherweight
126 lb.
Falconweight
122 lb.
Bantamweight
118 lb.
Hornetweight
115 lb.
Flyweight
112 lb.
Paperweight
108 lb.
Atomweight
105 lb.
Now, you’re probably wondering whether the above is tongue-in-cheek. Only slightly. Even so, the least boxing authorities can do is agree on one name per weight class, to help ease the confusion.
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