1960 Army Navy Wrestling Program Official West Point Field House

Official 1960 Army Navy Wrestling Program from the United States Military Academy This is the authentic official program created for the 1960 Army versus Navy wrestling competition, held at the Field House of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, on February 27 at 4:00 P.M. As the official document, it carries the full authority and prestige of both the Army and Navy academies, featuring their iconic crests prominently on the cover. This brand of inter-service athletic event programs represents the highest standard of military academy sports documentation, produced specifically for attendees to follow the action and take home as a memento of the rivalry. The content begins with an in-depth guide to collegiate wrestling as practiced in 1960, highlighting its status as a clean, scientific sport free from dangerous maneuvers. Detailed explanations cover the structure of matches, the nine-minute duration divided into three periods, and the precise scoring system that awards points for takedowns, reversals, near falls, escapes, and time advantage. Fans could use this section to understand exactly how team points were accumulated, with a fall worth five points and a decision worth three. The terminology section further enriches the experience by defining terms such as neutral position, ride, fall, pin, throw, and near fall, making it accessible even to those new to the sport. Moving to the season records, the program provides a full accounting of both teams' performances throughout the 1960 season. Army's results against a challenging slate of opponents including Penn State, Columbia, Syracuse at home and away, Yale, Springfield, Lehigh, Pittsburgh, Illinois, Rutgers, and the culminating match against Navy are all documented with final scores. Similarly, Navy's season is chronicled with their victories and defeats against Gettysburg, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Lehigh, Penn State, and Temple, offering a comprehensive view of the preparation leading into the big event. The heart of the program is the contestants listing, which pairs Army and Navy wrestlers in each weight class from 123 pounds through the unlimited division. Notable Army participants include Robert Protzman, Ray Andrews, Ed Strausbourger, Jerry Slack, Dennis Benchoff, Bob Davidson, Buzz Glenn, Buzz Kriesel, Mike Ekmann, Al Rushatz, Warren Miller, Dale Kouns, and Harry Miller. Their Navy counterparts are listed with alternates noted, creating a complete roster of the athletes who took to the mat that day. What makes this copy particularly special is the presence of handwritten scores in blue ink beside several bouts, such as 3-1, lost, 4-4, 1-8, 0-9, and 15-13, presumably added by a spectator who attended and tracked the outcomes in real time. This personal annotation transforms the program from a standard souvenir into a unique historical record with provenance. Additional valuable information includes the Army-Navy wrestling scores from the three preceding years, illustrating the ongoing nature of the rivalry, as well as the full list of coaches, officer-in-charge, captains, and managers for both teams. These details, including names like Mr. L. Alitz for Army and Captain Demetrius J. Vellis for Navy, highlight the institutional support and leadership behind these athletic programs at the academies. Condition Disclosure In terms of condition, this program is rated used but very good. The paper has developed the characteristic yellowing associated with age and exposure over more than six decades. Creases and fold lines are evident from its original use and storage, and the handwritten notes add a layer of character without detracting from readability. There is minor wear to the edges and corners, along with a few light smudges, but no significant damage such as tears, holes, or separated pages. All content is intact and easily readable, allowing full appreciation of the historical details. The material is original period paper, and the item retains its compact, folded presentation typical of event programs from the era. This official program stands as a testament to the traditions of excellence at West Point and Annapolis. It is an essential acquisition for anyone building a collection of authentic military sports memorabilia or seeking to own a tangible link to one of the most storied rivalries in American collegiate athletics. The combination of official branding, detailed content, and the unique handwritten elements ensures this piece will be a centerpiece in any display or archive. By acquiring this item, you gain not just a document but a window into the 1960 sporting culture at the nation's premier military institutions, where athletic competition reinforced the values of discipline, strategy, and camaraderie that defined the graduates who went on to serve the country. The official nature of this program sets it apart from any later reproductions or generic sports ephemera, providing genuine provenance directly from the academies themselves.

 _gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))

Item specifics

Used - Very good — Vintage 1960 paper program with expected age wear: yellowed pages, creases from folding, and handwritten blue ink annotations. All pages intact, fully legible, no tears or missing sections. — Defects: ['Yellowing and age-related discoloration on all pages', 'Creases and fold marks throughout', 'Handwritten blue ink notes and scores on the contestants page', 'Minor corner and edge wear', 'Light smudges and handling spots']

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.