We dropped in at the Trinity Club recently and saw Seymour Alexander getting into shape for the coming National A.A.U. handball meets next month. "Cy" was in excellent form; his footwork and coordination were fascinating to watch. His opponent was a man of no mean ability–according to the records–but "Cy" by his remarkable speed and accuracy kept him guessing and finished him off in short order. . . We were informed by a charming young lady that Alexander hopes to repeat this year. Further conversation revealed that the ace handballer is the former national singles champion and held the doubles title for the last three years with such able partners as Goldman, Golowen and London. At present he is co-holder of the national title with Jack London, also of the Trinity Club.
In 1929, in his first try for the singles title he lost to Murray Vernon. Vernon later married Jake Ruppert’s daughter.
We hazarded a guess to the sweet young thing next to us that had Alexander won, he probably would have married the Colonel’s daughter.–for such things have happened. We received nothing but a dark look from our companion, whom we no longer considered a stranger.
N. Y. STATE CHAMPION
"Yes", she continued, "Cy has held the New York State doubles title three times since he began playing. He won his first medal in 1923 in a city-wide tournament and has been bringing them home ever since." We also remembered that for the past few years "Cy" has been winning the "Beach" titles along these shores regularly and invariably in both singles and doubles events.
The girl was in a loquacious mood and every time she mentioned this agile young man, who was "killing" and "hooking" the ball, her eyes lit up. "Cy never went to college but he’s a national champion anyway. And handball isn’t the only sport he’s interested in. While in high school besides being captain of the handball team which won the city championship for four consecutive years, he was also on the swimming and fancy diving team." It is a well known fact that this chap still thrills the crowds at Brighton with his diving in the summer.
WAS MY FACE RED!
"Cy" is a good looking fellow, finely built, with a powerful pair of legs. A strong pair of legs and a nicety of footwork are essential to this game, which, though strenuous, is noted for its scarcity of injuries. Only once did this chap come anywhere near an accident and it was his presence of mind that averted a tragedy and helped him out. It was during a national title meet not long ago–the gallery was crowded with raving men and women spectators excited by the thrilling and aggressive match. Suddently "Cy’s" tights ripped and though he blushed furiously he wasn’t the least bit dismayed but kept right on playing and succeeded in winning the title.
After his practice session, Alexander approached us and noticing the animated discussion between the young lady and this department said, "Oh, I see you have already met my wife." We gulped, as he continued, "She hasn’t missed a practice session or a match in the last five years."
AN HONOR MAN
We notice that the senior class of C.C.N.Y. has elected "Mike" Kupperberg their best athlete–and well he deserves it. "Mike" was captain of the frosh football team in 1930 and led the Varsity in its last intercollegiate campaign. He also wrestled in the heavyweight division (weighing well over 220 pounds) and he stopped them dead behind the plate while catching for the college nine. He is a veritable tower of strength but he has had peculiar luck. His biggest jinx has been physical misfortune and it is not because of, but despite, this fact that he stands out in our estimation as one of the finest examples of the sporting spirit today. He played ball with a fractured rib plastered together. Twice he has cracked his collarbone, and still he continues to come out for the teams.
CALL FOR HERR HITLER
This boy Kupperberg comes from a very orthodox Jewish family and in nearly everything that he does he considers his faith and his religious scruples first and last. It came to pass one day last spring that he entered the Catholic regional wrestling tournament for New York City. He had decided that wrestling all through the spring semester and summer months was the best conditioner for football. How vividly we recall the scene! It was the final match in the heavyweight listings. The announcer bellowed forth in a stentorian voice–"For the heavyweight title of the Catholic regional championship of Greater New York . . . introducing Meyer Kupperberg!"
U. S. MACCABIAN ASSOCIATION
The United States Maccabi Association, which is almost a synonym for a Jewish American Athletic Club, has its offices at 217 Broadway. Already its members include such athletic luminaries as Dave Adelman. Harold Kramer, and Gene Siegel.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
