Athletic History
Stockton Field
Stockton, California
by Cpl. John P. Rohan

This article was originally published in the March 17, 1945 Twin Prop--official weekly newspaper of Stockton Field.

A far cry from the present modern $35,000-gym and athletic plant that Stockton Field athletes now have were the initial facilities of the athletic and recreational department in those hectic first days of the post’s 1941-42 and early 1943 sports program.

Under the direction of the A & R, (as it was more commonly referred to) the two-man staff, located in a cranny office in the rear of the post theater, the department climbed through the years to its present peak. Manning the section were a civilian athletic instructor and a green, but eager, Private. The civilian, John Lilly, later was commissioned and became an athletic director at Stockton Field. Later he was assigned to Ft. Worth, Texas. The enlisted man, S/Sgt. Pat Cosentino, is still assigned to the Personnel Services department, and is active in field sports and Stockton city athletic circles.

The initial program called for recreational activities for enlisted personnel, and a rigorous six-day-a-week calisthenic [sic] and supervised game schedule for cadets. Begging and borrowing , the two men finally saw their endeavors rewarded by recognition from Santa Ana, where military heads realized that a nucleus for an organized sports program for the whole Western Flying Training Command was being built at their first flying training school. As the classes kept coming and going, more personnel-both civilian and GI-were added, until the PT department was more than a growing pain and it branched out for itself although still directly connected with its foster parent, Special Services.

Teams were sent to nearby communities to represent the post, meeting the best athletic competition that cities, prep schools, commercial companies, colleges and neighboring military stations offered.

IN ATHLETICS, TOO

WE HAVE EXCELLED . . .

Their records of wins became impressive, and a scheduled game with a Stockton Field team brought fear to its opponent until the final gun sounded. Team rosters were studded with names that had starred in college, amateur and professional competition.

Use Armory Buildings; Adobe Becomes Gym

Of course conditions were not always rosy. The first year may be recalled as an example—Valley weather, boon to the San Joaquin farmer, proved unfavorable to the sports set-up. Colonel Tull, CO, and Lt. Col. Gilbert, executive officer, realized the new physical training program must be continued. Requesting aid, the two officers approached the city fathers and asked for the complete use of the fair ground’s indoor pavilions, and the California State Armory buildings. This was granted. Meanwhile, plans were rushed for the first indoor sports gym for the field and the reconversion of the Adobe hangar from an airplane shed to a modern gym was completed by the field engineers. Modern bowling alleys, four-sided handball and squash courts, a standard-size boxing ring, basketball and setting-up equipment were constructed and installed to handle to athletic-minded personnel.. The PT department was housed opposite the hangar in a barracks. By now, facilities were so enlarged that the department whipped up PT schedule for flying and administrative officers.

A memorial swimming pool in memory of Lt. J.E. Dixon, graduate of Class 41-E, a native and first War II casualty of Stockton, was built through the efforts of a committee headed by Frank McKeegan, chairman, and Paul Wilson, co-chairman—two Stockton business men. $7500 in cash, along with an unestimated amount of material and donated labor, was raised from Stockton merchants and the city’s populace and the pool was formally dedicated in June, 1942. Class instruction in swimming was begun as a troop training aid for pilots and EM forced down over large bodies of water during ferrying and combat. Recreational swimming schedules were arranged for enlisted and commissioned personnel and their families.

Popularity in athletics saw squadron teams organized and entered in downtown leagues. Sports were on an up-swing; post teams were entered into newly-formed Servicemen Leagues. Officers, EM, cadets and Wacs participated in all types of athletic competition.

New Gymnasium . . . One of Finest

In October of 1943 the final dream for field sports fans was realized when the Army completed a $35,000 gymnasium, opposite the north gate across the highway from the field, Stockton Field had a sports pavilion to vie with any in the country. A standard basketball court, 111 by 58 feet, was housed in a building measuring 160 by 78 feet overall. The unit contained a handball court, dressing rooms and showers for men and women, bleachers for spectators, a large balcony and equipment rooms. The outside area was surrounded by innumerable playing fields. A fine baseball diamond was built in one of the corners of the turfed acreage. The place was lousy with new equipment, including rowing machines, horizontal bars, rope climbs, combination standards for volleyball, tennis and badminton, wall pulleys, spring boards and mats for tumbling. A paved area provided for outdoor sports on standard courts.

Teams Always Popular with Stocktonians

The people of the city of Stockton have always been interested in the field’s welfare and military personnel. The civilian sport fan had become familiar with the field’s sporting representatives, watching them play in City League competition at Oak Park and the Civic auditorium. Last June, one of Stockton Field’s stellar athletes passed away after a short illness. A few weeks after Sgt. Roger Barney’s demise a move to establish a memorial plaque was instigated to perpetuate the popular athlete’s memory in the townspeople’s minds. An anonymous letter was received by the local downtown newspaper sports editor. Included with it was a check for the purchase of a trophy and plaque to be awarded annually to the best field athlete. A later movement has gained momentum, and plans call for the plaque’s placement on the main door of a proposed city sporting pavilion that will be constructed after the war, and to which will be inscribed all of Stockton Field and Stockton city’s athletes names.

Teams representing the post became known far and wide since the cognomen “Stockton Field Fliers” was adopted in 1942. Through the past seasons, post varsitys have competed in the Army-Navy League, Central Security League and Ninth Service Command Tournaments and finals. They have won titles, trophys and honors befitting the type of sportsmanship for which the American soldier is known. On more than one occasion individual members have been commended for their sportsmanship in athletic competition. Winning or losing, Stockton Field athletes conducted themselves in a manner befitting to the uniform and country they proudly serve.