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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
From The Desk Of Clarence Bass
By Clarence and Carol Bass
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What we're reading
IRON GAME HISTORY: The Journal of Physical Culture (Summer 2025)
If you haven't seen this twice-yearly journal founded in 1990 by Terry and Jan Todd to "promote academic scholarship related to the history of the strength sports, exercise, nutrition, training for sport, and other aspects of physical culture," you might be interested in taking a look at it, online at the Stark Center, or by supporting its work and purchasing your own copies as we do (US subscription rates $25.00 for 2 issues or $45 for four). Subscribe at https://starkcenter.org/research-2/iron-game-history/
The current issue is 68 pages and contains seven articles, among them: "Why Are Long Jumpers No Longer Jumping Long?" - If athletes today are superior to those previously, why has the long jump record of Mike Powell's in 1991 never been equaled? "No Pain, No Gain," - Cultural and Psychological Dimensions of Overcoming Bodily Limits In Strength Athletes "The Renaissance Origins of Fencing As A Strength-Enhancing Practice," a surprising essay with some fascinating circa 1500 copies of etchings showing fencing figures with low body fat and strong muscle definition. "Barbells on Campus," the "transformative period when barbells on campus became an accepted norm."
Rounding out this issue is an article on how women athletes have been viewed historically by analyzing how they were presented in publications such as Sports Illustrated, an article titled, William J. Kraemer, The NSCA, and The Science of Strength [Ed Note: The National Strength and Conditioning Association], and a short essay by an undergraduate student about her two-month experience of being an intern at the Stark Center and being exposed to its archival materials, wealth of historical artifacts, and wonderful mentors.
What a wealth of diverse and interesting topics!
For those of you who are not familiar with the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center on the campus of the University of Austin, Texas, it is a museum and research facility founded by Terry and Jan Todd, and the Journal is one of its publications.
The illustration on the front of the journal is an actual massive 2000-pound Hercules statue standing ten feet six inches that you would see upon entering the Stark Center. It is a reproduction of the Farnese Hercules sculpture from antiquity, showing Hercules resting from his 12 labors. It is quite impressive and sets the tone for this unique facility - inspiring a sense of awe and focusing you immediately on the fact that this is a rare and interesting museum.
The Todds defined Physical Culture as the "various activities people have employed over the centuries to strengthen their bodies, enhance their physiques, increase their endurance, enhance their health, fight against aging and become better athletes."
The Stark Center is the "
In the research archives you will find papers and memorabilia of two-time Master's winner and golf legend, Ben Crenshaw, Robert "Bob" Kennedy - most well-known as publisher of MuscleMag International, legendary football coach Darrell K. Royal, Steve Wennerstrom - a historian on women's bodybuilding, Pudgy and Les Stockton (Muscle Beach), David Webster (organizer of the Highland Games), Bob Hoffman and Peary and Mabel Rader, publishers and renowned figures, Tommy Kono, America's "Lifter of the Century," the extensive health libraries of three important naturopaths, and much, much more, providing a wealth of material for researchers - and exhibits. See the link below for an overview of the collection.
Here is a photo that Carol took at the Stark Center at the opening of the Weider wing of the museum in 2011. Some of those attending besides Joe and Betty Weider were six past Mr. Olympia winners, as well as Bill Kazmaier, Boyer Coe, Bill Pearl and many others. On the museum walls in the background are Joe Weider, Jack LaLanne, and John Grimek.
Here's the gallery at the Stark Center which featured photographs of Clarence over a 50 year span, showing how aging can be offset with exercise.
If you're in Austin, stop by the museum, and think about contributing to its unique mission by supporting the Iron Game History Journal or contributing to the museum itself. Here are two photos of the museum:
Here's a link showing what's in some of the galleries: https://starkcenter.org/about/galleries-at-the-stark/ For an interesting Overview of the Collections: https://starkcenter.org/research-2/overview/ August 1, 2025 Comment on this article: FEEDBACK
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