As the end of college football season approaches, we'll all wait apprehensively to see who will get the big “bowl bids” that will help determine the season's final rankings. Back in 1951 the Orange Bowl, played in Miami, seemed like a backyard party for one of its participating teams. The Clemson Tigers met the Miami Hurricanes for a tight game at the end of the season, but the Hurricanes failed to take home-team advantage and the win. With a 15 to 14 final score, Clemson took the Orange Bowl trophy home in 1951.
In the boxing arena, Sugar Ray Robinson beat Jake LaMotta for the 1951 middleweight boxing title. That same year tennis fashion became an ally of the alligator when clothing company Lacosta first placed its famous symbol on tennis shirts. You probably won't find Lindsay Davenport or Venus and Serena Williams wearing alligators today, as tennis fashion has undergone many changes throughout the past 50 years.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), many teams whose names and cities have changed in the past 50 years were an important presence in 1951. For example, in the Eastern Division, the Syracuse Nationals finished with a 40-26 record. In second, just one game back, were the Boston Celtics, followed in third place by the New York Knickerbockers. In the Western Division of the NBA, the Rochester Royals claimed first place with a 41-25 record. The Minneapolis Lakers were 40-26, and the Indianapolis Olympians finished seven games back in the Western Division.
It takes a dedicated team to win. For the past 50 years, ASA has been dedicated to advancing the professionalism of our industry. But, the association could not have done it without the dedication of its members. We look forward to the next 50 years, working as a team with our members and other industry leaders to advance the professionalism of the entire automotive industry.
History Quiz:
What publication, which is the official magazine of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2002?
See the December issue of AutoInc. for the answer.
History Quiz answer for October:
What New York Yankee slugger retired in 1951 with a lifetime batting average of .325? (Hint: This Yankee was also married to movie star Marilyn Monroe.)
Answer: Joe DiMaggio
