Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1537350
6 WAC Magazine | wac.net While almost every space in the Clubhouse has changed during the past 95 years—some many times over—origi- nal features remain, including the Voogd Library, which recently received new furniture and an elegant grandfather clock. Art deco terra cotta ornamen- tation on the exterior also dates to our earliest days, with large perched eagles and other sculptures keeping watch on members' lives and the streets below. So important has the WAC Club- house become in our city's history that it's now listed as a Seattle Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. ATHLE TICS e WAC has been home base for amateur and professional athletes since the beginning. World champion swim- mers Helene Madison and Jack Med- ica trained in the 6th Floor Pool and brought home gold from the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, respectively. Fundrais- ing efforts led by WAC stalwarts Royal Brougham and Torchy Torrance also helped the now famous "Boys in the Boat" University of Washington crew team take gold in '36. Olympians have been a WAC fixture throughout the years, with brother-sis- ter figure skating pair Karol and Petter Kennedy taking Olympic silver in 1952 and cross-country runner Doris Brown representing Team USA in '68 and '72. e list goes on and includes such sports as team handball, synchronized swim- ming, and rugby. e WAC continues to support some of the best athletes in the country, including hosting the annual awards for the best men's and women's collegiate rugby players, and putting on e Main Event, widely considered the nation's best college boxing invitational. We also sponsor athletes performing at the highest level of amateur sports, including crew, lacrosse, basketball, and rugby teams, as well as ultra-marathon- ers and triathletes. But perhaps most important, we offer robust fitness and athletic options for WAC members of all skill levels, giving them a place to find personal improvement and healthier lives. BUSI NESS & PLEASURE Building community and fostering connection have always been part of the WAC. Jubilee, our anniversary party held each December, has been a highlight since our earliest days. Family traditions such as the Father Daughter Banquet, longstanding holiday events like Shoppers Teas, and an abundance of events throughout the year make the WAC the best social club in Seattle. From family pool parties to under- ground garage raves, our calendar never stops. Beyond Club events, the WAC also hosts hundreds of private meetings, business networking events, and social gatherings every year. And that's not even counting lunchtime deals and happy hour handshakes. In fact, it was within these very walls, over spirited dis- cussions and a shared sense of commu- nity, that the ambitious idea for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair took shape. A tradition of camaraderie, ground- breaking thought, and professional con- nection continues to thrive at the Club, helping make the WAC a place unlike any other. Continued from page 4