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Helms Athletic Foundation
Helms Athletic Foundation
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The Helms Athletic Foundation, founded in 1936, was a Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to the promotion of athletics and sportsmanship.[2] Paul H. Helms was the organization's founder and benefactor,[3] funding the foundation via his ownership of Helms Bakery.[4] Bill Schroeder founded the organization with Helms and served as its managing director.[5][6] The men were united in a love of amateur athletic competition.[7]

Key Information

The organization became well known for presenting awards and trophies for local, national, and international competition, naming the Southern California Player of the Month and Year, national championships in college basketball and college football, Rose Bowl Player of the Game, Coach of the Year, Pacific Coast football player of the year, and other such awards for athletic achievement. Schroeder described himself in 1967 as a "committee of one" in selecting the championship teams.[8] The organization dedicated Helms Hall in 1948, which housed a museum for sporting artifacts as well as the Helms Hall of Fame.

Following the death of Paul Helms in 1957 and the eventual closure of Helms Bakery in 1969, Schroeder sought new benefactors. The organization continued under a series of new sponsors as the United Savings–Helms Athletic Foundation, Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation, and First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation. Schroeder died in 1987. Under the direction of Peter Ueberroth the Helms Athletic Foundation collection, library, and archives were absorbed into the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, later renamed the LA84 Foundation.

History

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Founding

[edit]

Schroeder brought to the partnership a large personal collection of sports memorabilia.[6][1] He sought a corporate sponsor to finance a hall of fame to house his collection and to present awards to local athletes.[6][7]

The idea was taken seriously by Paul Helms, who was himself invested in athletics both personally and professionally.[7][2] The bakery with which he made his fortune was a sponsor of the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics,[2] and "Helms Olympic Bread" continued to be associated with the competition. The organization was originally known as the Helms Olympic Athletic Foundation.

In 1936, with Helms' backing, Schroeder set to work from a rented office in downtown Los Angeles.[7] As the organization's only employee, he issued frequent announcements of the selections he made for the Helms Athletic Foundation's various and numerous awards.[9]

Helms Hall

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The organization dedicated Helms Hall in 1948.[9][1] The purpose-built building adjacent to Helms Bakery near Culver City housed a museum for the sports artifacts originally collected by Schroeder, as well as the Helms Hall of Fame.[7]

Schroeder selected the organization's national champion teams and made All-America team selections in a number of college sports, including football and basketball.[8] The Helms Foundation also operated a hall of fame for both college basketball and college football. Besides collegiate athletics, the organization operated halls of fame for professional football, Major League Baseball, the Pacific Coast League, basketball, fencing, golf, tennis, swimming, auto racing, track and field,[10] and soaring.[11]

Later years

[edit]

After Paul Helms' death in 1957, his family continued supporting the organization until 1969, when the bakeries went out of business.[12][5] Schroeder found a new benefactor in United Savings & Loan,[12] and the organization's name became United Savings–Helms Athletic Foundation.[13][14] United merged with Citizens Savings & Loan in 1973, when the organization became the Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation.[12] It was again renamed in 1982 when First Interstate Bank assumed sponsorship, and it became the First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation.[15][16]

When the Helms Foundation dissolved, its historical holdings were absorbed into the collection of the Amateur Athletic Foundation, renamed the LA84 Foundation in 2007.

National championship selections

[edit]
  1. ^ "A 'championship' is something that is won, most generally on the field of play against direct competition. A 'title' is something that is given or awarded by someone else, in honor of an achievement or as a designation of being considered the best at something. While it is generally true that winning a championship also involves a title being associated with it, the converse does not always hold. In many cases, a title can be given without a formal championship or competition being held at all. In other words, being awarded a title does not necessarily confer that a championship was even present much less attained. In earlier years of collegiate basketball, there are many titles that can be claimed, some which are associated with winning a tournament (e.g. NCAA Tournament or NIT) and some which are not (Associated Press #1, highest attendance, top Sagarin Rating). The latter do not constitute a championship. It is into this group that the Helms title falls."[19] — Jon Scott, BigBlueHistory.net

Pro Football Hall of Fame

[edit]

Helms Athletic Foundation selected players, coaches and administrators from 1950 through at least the 1970s to its pro football hall of fame.[61][62][63] Contrary to other halls of fame, some members were selected during their active playing/coaching careers.

Year Inductee Pro Team(s) Contribution Pro Football Hall of Fame?
1950[61] Cliff Battles Boston Braves / Boston Redskins / Washington Redskins (1932–1937) Player Yes
1950 Sammy Baugh Washington Redskins (1937–1952) Player Yes
1950 Joe F. Carr NFL President (1921–1939) Contributor Yes
1950 Dutch Clark Portsmouth Spartans / Detroit Lions (1931–1932; 1934–1938) Player Yes
1950 Paddy Driscoll Hammond All-Stars (1917)
Hammond Pros (1919)
Racine / Chicago Cardinals (1920–1925)
Chicago Bears (1926–1929)
Player Yes
1950 Turk Edwards Boston Braves / Boston Redskins / Washington Redskins (1932–1940) Player Yes
1950 Ray Flaherty Los Angeles Wildcats (1926)
New York Yankees (1927–1928)
New York Giants (1929, 1931–1935)
Player Yes
1950 Dan Fortmann Chicago Bears (1936–1943) Player Yes
1950 Red Grange Chicago Bears (1925, 1929–1934)
New York Yankees (1926–1927)
Player Yes
1950 George Halas Decatur Staleys / Chicago Staleys / Chicago Bears (1920–1929, 1933–1942, 1946–1955, 1958–1967) Coach Yes
1950 Mel Hein New York Giants (1931–1945) Player Yes
1950 Bill Hewitt Chicago Bears (1932−1936)
Philadelphia Eagles (1937−1939)
Steagles (1943)
Player Yes
1950 Clarke Hinkle Green Bay Packers (1932–1941) Player Yes
1950 Cal Hubbard New York Giants (1927–1928, 1936)
Green Bay Packers (1929–1933, 1935)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1936)
Player Yes
1950 Don Hutson Green Bay Packers (1935–1945) Player Yes
1950 Curly Lambeau Green Bay Packers (1920–1949) Coach Yes
1950 Tuffy Leemans New York Giants (1936–1943) Player Yes
1950 Sid Luckman Chicago Bears (1939–1950) Player Yes
1950 Bronko Nagurski Chicago Bears (1930–1937, 1943) Player Yes
1950 Ernie Nevers Duluth Eskimos (1926–1927)
Chicago Cardinals (1929–1931)
Player Yes
1950 Steve Owen New York Giants (1931–1949) Coach Yes
1950 Ken Strong Staten Island Stapletons (1929–1932)
New York Giants (1933–1935, 1939, 1944–1947)
New York Yankees (1936–1937)
Jersey City Giants (1938, 1940)
Player Yes
1950 Joe Stydahar Chicago Bears (1936–1942, 1945–1946) Player Yes
1950 Jim Thorpe Canton Bulldogs (1915–1917, 1919–1920, 1926)
Cleveland Indians (1921)
Oorang Indians (1922–1923)
Rock Island Independents (1924, 1925)
New York Giants (1925)
Tampa Cardinals (1926)
Chicago Cardinals (1928)
Player Yes
1950 George Trafton Decatur Staleys / Chicago Staleys / Chicago Bears (1920–1921, 1923–1932) Player Yes
1951[64] Pete Henry Canton Bulldogs (1920–1923, 1925–1926)
New York Giants (1927)
Pottsville Maroons (1927–1928)
Player Yes
1951 Arnie Herber Green Bay Packers (1930–1940)
New York Giants (1944–1945)
Player Yes
1951 John McNally Milwaukee Badgers (1925–1926)
Duluth Eskimos (1926–1927)
Pottsville Maroons (1928)
Green Bay Packers (1929–1933, 1935–1936)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1934, 1937–1938)
Buffalo Tigers (1941)
Player Yes
1951 Bulldog Turner Chicago Bears (1940–1952) Player Yes
1952[65] Greasy Neale[66] Philadelphia Eagles (1941–1950) Coach Yes
1952 Al Nesser Columbus Panhandles (1910–1919, 1921)
Canton Professionals (1914)
Akron Pros / Akron Indians (1920–1925; 1926)
Cleveland Bulldogs (1925)
Cleveland Panthers (1926)
New York Giants (1926–1928)
Cleveland Indians (1931)
Player No
1952 Alex Wojciechowicz Detroit Lions (1938–1946)
Philadelphia Eagles (1946–1950)
Player Yes
1952[67] Frankie Albert Los Angeles Bulldogs (1945)
San Francisco 49ers (1946–1952)
Player No
1952 Bob Waterfield Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams (1945–1952) Player Yes
1956[68] Tom Fears Los Angeles Rams (1948–1956) Player Yes
1956 Otto Graham Cleveland Browns (1946–1955) Player Yes
1956 Steve Van Buren Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1951) Player Yes
1957[69] Tony Canadeo Green Bay Packers (1941–1944, 1946–1952) Player Yes
1957 Lou Groza Cleveland Browns (1946–1959, 1961–1967) Player Yes
1957 Elroy Hirsch Chicago Rockets (1946–1948)
Los Angeles Rams (1949–1957)
Player Yes
1957 Ed Sprinkle Chicago Bears (1944–1955) Player Yes
1957 Doak Walker Detroit Lions (1950–1955) Player Yes
1959[70] Ray Bray Chicago Bears (1939–1942, 1946–1951)
Green Bay Packers (1952)
Player No
1959 Charlie Conerly New York Giants (1948–1961) Player No
1959 George Preston Marshall Washington Redskins owner (1932–1965) Contributor Yes
1959 George Musso[71] Chicago Bears (1933–1944) Player Yes
1960[a][72] Chuck Bednarik Philadelphia Eagles (1949–1962) Player Yes
1960 Jim Benton Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams (1938–1940, 1942; 1944–1947)
Chicago Bears (1943)
Player No
1960 Bill Dudley Pittsburgh Steelers (1942, 1945–1946)
Detroit Lions (1947–1949)
Washington Redskins (1950–1951, 1953)
Player Yes
1960 Link Lyman Canton / Cleveland Bulldogs (1922–1925)
Frankford Yellow Jackets (1925)
Chicago Bears (1926–1928, 1930–1931, 1933–1934)
Player Yes
1960 George McAfee Chicago Bears (1940–1941, 1945–1950) Player Yes
1960 Buck Shaw San Francisco 49ers (1946–1954)
Philadelphia Eagles (1958–1960)
Coach No
1960 Y. A. Tittle Baltimore Colts (1948–1950)
San Francisco 49ers (1951–1960)
New York Giants (1961–1964)
Player Yes
1960 Emlen Tunnell New York Giants (1948–1958)
Green Bay Packers (1959–1961)
Player Yes
1960 Norm Van Brocklin Los Angeles Rams (1949–1957)
Philadelphia Eagles (1958–1960)
Player Yes
1961[73] Ben Agajanian Philadelphia Eagles (1945)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1945)
Los Angeles Dons (1947–1948)
New York Giants (1949, 1954–1957)
Los Angeles Rams (1953)
Los Angeles Chargers / San Diego Chargers (1960; 1964)
Dallas Texans (1961)
Green Bay Packers (1961)
Oakland Raiders (1962)
Player No
1961 Bucko Kilroy Steagles (1943)
Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1955)
Player No
1961 Joe Perry San Francisco 49ers (1948–1960, 1963)
Baltimore Colts (1961–1962)
Player Yes
1961 Pete Pihos Philadelphia Eagles (1947–1955) Player Yes
1962[74] Bert Bell Philadelphia Eagles owner (1933–1940)
Pittsburgh Steelers co-owner (1940–1946)
Contributor Yes
1962 Charles Bidwill Chicago Cardinals owner (1933–1947) Contributor Yes
1962 Walt Kiesling Duluth Eskimos (1926–1927)
Pottsville Maroons (1928)
Chicago Cardinals (1929–1933)
Chicago Bears (1934)
Green Bay Packers (1935–1936)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1937–1938)
Player Yes
1962 Tim Mara New York Giants owner (1925–1959) Contributor Yes
1962 Vic Sears Philadelphia Eagles (1941–1942, 1944–1953)
Phil-Pit Steagles (1943)
Player No
1962 Carl Storck NFL President (1939–1941) Contributor Yes
1963[75] Gene Brito Washington Redskins (1951–1953, 1955–1958)
Los Angeles Rams (1959–1960)
Player No
1963 Paul Brown Cleveland Browns (1946–1962)
Cincinnati Bengals (1968–1975)
Coach Yes
1963 Jim Martin Cleveland Browns (1950)
Detroit Lions (1951–1961)
Baltimore Colts (1963)
Washington Redskins (1964)
Player No
1963 Dan Reeves[b] Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams owner (1941–1971) Contributor Yes
1964[76] Jimmy Conzelman Decatur Staleys (1920)
Rock Island Independents (1921–1922)
Milwaukee Badgers (1922–1924)
Detroit Panthers (1925–1926)
Providence Steam Roller (1927–1929)
Player Yes
1964 Bobby Layne Chicago Bears (1948)
New York Bulldogs (1949)
Detroit Lions (1950–1958)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1958–1962)
Player Yes
1964 Eddie LeBaron Washington Redskins (1952–1953, 1955–1959)
Dallas Cowboys (1960–1963)
Player No
1964 Gino Marchetti Dallas Texans (1952)
Baltimore Colts (1953–1964, 1966)
Player Yes
1964 Leo Nomellini San Francisco 49ers (1950–1963) Player Yes
1964 Ray Renfro Cleveland Browns (1952–1963) Player No
1964 Andy Robustelli Los Angeles Rams (1951–1955)
New York Giants (1956–1964)
Player Yes
1965[77] Bruno Banducci Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1945)
San Francisco 49ers (1946–1954)
Player No
1965 Art Donovan Baltimore Colts (1950)
New York Yanks (1951)
Dallas Texans (1952)
Baltimore Colts (1953–1961)
Player Yes
1965 Hugh McElhenny San Francisco 49ers (1952–1960)
Minnesota Vikings (1961–1962)
New York Giants (1963)
Detroit Lions (1964)
Player Yes
1966[78] Frank Gifford New York Giants (1952–1960, 1962–1964) Player Yes
1966 Ollie Matson Chicago Cardinals (1952–1958)
Los Angeles Rams (1959–1962)
Detroit Lions (1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1966)
Player Yes
1966 Kyle Rote New York Giants (1951–1961) Player No
1966 Bob St. Clair San Francisco 49ers (1953–1963) Player Yes
1966 Buddy Parker Chicago Cardinals (1949)
Detroit Lions (1951–1956)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1957–1964)
Coach No
1967[79] Jon Arnett Los Angeles Rams (1957–1963)
Chicago Bears (1964–1966)
Player No
1967 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) Player Yes
1967 Art Hunter Green Bay Packers (1954–1955)
Cleveland Browns (1956–1959)
Los Angeles Rams (1960–1964)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1965)
Player No
1967 Alex Webster New York Giants (1955–1964) Player No
1967 Fred Williams Chicago Bears (1952–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1965)
Player No
1969[80] Jack Manders Chicago Bears (1933–1940) Player No
1969 Marion Motley Cleveland Browns (1946–1953)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1955)
Player Yes
1969 Don Paul Los Angeles Rams (1948–1955) Player No
1969 Les Richter Los Angeles Rams (1954–1962) Player Yes
1969 Ernie Stautner Pittsburgh Steelers (1950–1963) Player Yes
1969 Buddy Young New York Yankees (1947–1949)
New York Yanks (1950–1951)
Dallas Texans (1952)
Baltimore Colts (1953–1955)
Player No
1969 Paul "Tank" Younger Los Angeles Rams (1949–1957)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1958)
Player No
1971[63] Vince Lombardi Green Bay Packers (1959–1967)
Washington Redskins (1969)
Coach Yes
1971 Charley Trippi Chicago Cardinals (1947–1955) Player Yes
1972[81][82] Eddie Meador Los Angeles Rams (1959–1970) Player No
1972 Tobin Rote Green Bay Packers (1950–1956)
Detroit Lions (1957–1959)
San Diego Chargers (1963–1964)
Denver Broncos (1966)
Player No
1973[83] Lance Alworth San Diego Chargers (1962–1970)
Dallas Cowboys (1971–1972)
Player Yes
1973 Raymond Berry Baltimore Colts (1955–1967) Player Yes
1973 Forrest Gregg Green Bay Packers (1956, 1958–1970)
Dallas Cowboys (1971)
Player Yes
1973 Jim Ringo Green Bay Packers (1953–1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1967)
Player Yes
1973 Joe Schmidt Detroit Lions (1953–1965) Player Yes
1973 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers (1956–1971) Player Yes
1973 Larry Wilson St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1972) Player Yes
1975[84] Doug Atkins Cleveland Browns (1953–1954)
Chicago Bears (1955–1966)
New Orleans Saints (1967–1969)
Player Yes
1975 Gino Cappelletti Boston Patriots (1960–1970) Player No
1975 Marlin McKeever Los Angeles Rams (1961–1966, 1971–1972)
Minnesota Vikings (1967)
Washington Redskins (1968–1970)
Philadelphia Eagles (1973)
Player No
1975 Dick Modzelewski Washington Redskins (1953–1954)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1955)
New York Giants (1956–1963)
Cleveland Browns (1964–1966)
Player No
1975 Ray Nitschke Green Bay Packers (1958–1972) Player Yes
1975 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)
Player Yes
1975[85] Maxie Baughan Philadelphia Eagles (1960–1965)
Los Angeles Rams (1966–1970)
Washington Redskins (1974)
Player No
1975 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973) Player No
1975 Bill George Chicago Bears (1952–1965)
Los Angeles Rams (1966)
Player Yes
1975 Rosey Grier New York Giants (1955–1962)
Los Angeles Rams (1963–1966)
Player No
1975 Deacon Jones Los Angeles Rams (1961–1971)
San Diego Chargers (1972–1973)
Washington Redskins (1974)
Player Yes
1975 Bruiser Kinard Brooklyn Dodgers / Tigers (1938–1944)
New York Yankees (1946–1947)
Player Yes
1975 Night Train Lane Los Angeles Rams (1952–1953)
Chicago Cardinals (1954–1959)
Detroit Lions (1960–1965)
Player Yes
1975 Mike Michalske New York Yankees (1926–1928)
Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937)
Player Yes
1975 Jim Parker Baltimore Colts (1957–1967) Player Yes
1976[86] George Blanda Chicago Bears (1949, 1950–1958)
Baltimore Colts (1950)
Houston Oilers (1960–1966)
Oakland Raiders (1967–1975)
Player Yes
1976 Len Ford Los Angeles Dons (1948–1949)
Cleveland Browns (1950–1957)
Green Bay Packers (1958)
Player Yes
1976 Sonny Jurgensen Philadelphia Eagles (1957–1963)
Washington Redskins (1964–1974)
Player Yes
1976 Bob Lilly Dallas Cowboys (1961–1974) Player Yes
1976 Lenny Moore Baltimore Colts (1956–1967) Player Yes
1976 Joe Scibelli Los Angeles Rams (1961–1975) Player No
1976 Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers (1958–1966)
New Orleans Saints (1967)
Player Yes
19?? Rosey Brown[87] New York Giants (1953–1965) Player Yes
  1. ^ Class of 1960 selections were named in January 1961.
  2. ^ Reeves also received a "special award" for his "contribution to professional football in Los Angeles" during the 1950 inaugural class ceremony, but wasn't inducted at the time.[62]

World Trophy

[edit]

The Helms World Trophy,[88] originally known as the Helms Award[89] and also referred to as the Helms Trophy,[90] was an annual sporting award established by the Helms Athletic Foundation from 1939 to honor the foremost amateur athlete of each continent of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.[91]

Although the Foundation was established in 1936, the awards date back to the 1896, the year of the first Summer Olympics.[92][93]

After the initial committee selection, amateur athletes were nominated by their own countries for consideration by the foundation. Winners were presented with a silver plaque and had their names added to the World Trophy that was located at the Helms Foundation, and subsequently the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (now known as the LA84 Foundation). Winners can only win the award once.[94]

Winners

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Helms Athletic Foundation was a Los Angeles-based founded on October 15, 1936, by baker Paul H. Helms to promote athletics, sportsmanship, and the recognition of outstanding achievements in amateur and collegiate sports across multiple disciplines. Under the leadership of managing director Willrich R. (Bill) Schroeder, who began curating a sports museum and library in 1939, the foundation became renowned for its extensive awards programs, including over 1,000 trophies, 5,000 medallions, and 15,000 scrolls distributed in its first 13 years alone, often honoring high school athletes in through annual selections in , football, and . It also pioneered national recognition efforts, such as retroactively selecting champions from 1883 onward and designating annual national champions from 1939 to 1982 via expert panels, alongside teams and the Helms Foundation Player of the Year award. A of the foundation's legacy was its operation of multiple halls of fame, housed in the purpose-built Helms Hall museum completed in 1948 at the complex, which inducted honorees in sports including , football, , , , , , professional football, and athletic trainers. Notable initiatives included the and Athlete of the Month programs launched in 1939, which retrospectively honored figures from 1900, and the $10,000 World Trophy unveiled in 1949 to recognize top amateur athletes by continent since 1896. Funded initially by Helms' bakery operations, the foundation faced challenges after Helms' death in 1957 and particularly after the bakery's closure in 1969, leading to new sponsorships from entities like United Savings & Loan and the Ueberroth family; by 1982, its operations, museum, and library were transferred to the Amateur Athletic Foundation of (now the LA84 Foundation), where its extensive archives continue to support sports history . Schroeder, who passed away in 1987, left an enduring impact through the foundation's role in preserving and celebrating American sports heritage.

History

Founding

The Helms Athletic Foundation was established on October 15, 1936, in , , by Paul H. Helms, president of , and Bill Schroeder, a dedicated sports memorabilia collector. Helms provided the financial backing, while Schroeder served as the managing director, leveraging his passion for sports history to shape the organization's early direction. The foundation's initial purpose was to promote wholesome athletics, sportsmanship, and youth leadership through sports programs and recognition efforts. This mission was inspired by Helms' successful role as the official bread provider for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, which had deepened his commitment to connecting his bakery business with athletic endeavors year-round. Early funding came exclusively from profits generated by , with the organization operating without any external sponsorships or donations in its formative years. The Helms family solely owned and supported the foundation for its first three decades, ensuring its independence and focus on non-profit goals. Among its first activities in the late , the foundation began establishing basic awards, including trophies, medallions, and scrolls, presented to athletes and teams across the and internationally to honor achievements in and performance. Simultaneously, Schroeder initiated collections of sports artifacts, drawing from his personal memorabilia to build a foundational that underscored the organization's dedication to preserving athletic heritage.

Helms Hall and Expansion

Helms Hall was dedicated in 1948 at 8760 Venice Boulevard in , , serving as the permanent headquarters for the Helms Athletic Foundation and functioning as a dedicated . The facility, constructed adjacent to the with an initial investment exceeding $125,000 and a subsequent $150,000 addition completed in 1949, housed a vast collection of sporting artifacts, trophies, and early exhibits for the foundation's Halls of Fame across various sports. This development realized the vision of founders Paul H. Helms and Bill Schroeder, established in , to create a centralized space for promoting and athletic achievement. Operationally, Helms Hall acted as the administrative center for the foundation, while also providing public exhibit spaces, libraries stocked with sports literature, and venues for award ceremonies and events. The museum featured displays dedicated to multiple , including interactive elements like plaques honoring inductees and archival materials that educated visitors on athletic history. Fully funded by the until its closure in 1969, the hall relied on this private support to maintain its operations without seeking public contributions. During the late and , the foundation expanded its activities through Helms Hall, launching publications such as annual sports reviews and records for high school athletics in , including , football, and . These efforts complemented the growth of Hall of Fame inductions in , with the museum serving as the primary site for recognizing achievements dating back to the early . Key events included hosting Olympic-related exhibits, drawing on Helms' involvement in providing supplies for the 1932 Games and the 1948 London Olympics, where the hall showcased artifacts and archives tied to these international competitions to inspire youth participation in sports.

Later Years and Transition

Following the death of founder Paul Helms on January 5, , from cancer at age 67, the Helms Athletic Foundation transitioned to leadership under managing director Willrich R. "Bill" Schroeder, who had directed operations since the organization's in 1936. Schroeder oversaw continued activities, initially supported by Helms' family, but the closure of in November 1969 eliminated the primary funding source tied to the baking empire that had sustained the foundation for over three decades. To maintain operations, Schroeder secured new corporate sponsorships, renaming the organization the United Savings-Helms Athletic Foundation in 1971, followed by further rebrandings to Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation after a 1973 merger and eventually First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation in the early 1980s. These shifts reflected a reduced operational scope, with the foundation focusing on select awards programs amid ongoing financial constraints, including the shuttering of Helms Hall as a public venue in 1970 and the sale of its Boulevard property in 1972 for conversion into a commercial space. The loss of dedicated bakery revenue and the evolving sponsorship environment in the post-1960s era, marked by declining corporate interest in niche athletic honors amid broader shifts in sports media and governance, intensified challenges for the foundation. By the early , these pressures led to the cessation of major independent activities, with no new championship selections issued after the 1981–82 season and the organization officially dissolving in 1982, though its collections were preserved for future access.

Championship Selections

College Basketball

The Helms Athletic Foundation initiated retroactive selections of in men's for seasons dating back to 1901, culminating in a comprehensive list published in stages during the 1940s and 1950s. These early designations, covering 1901 through 1942, were determined through historical analysis of team performances prior to the establishment of formalized national tournaments. Notable retroactive champions included for the 1900–1901 and 1901–1902 seasons, reflecting its dominance in Eastern intercollegiate play, and the in 1919, which compiled an undefeated 13–0 record under coach Clyde Littlefield. Beginning in 1943, the foundation shifted to annual selections for ongoing seasons, continuing this practice through 1982 and recognizing teams based on contemporary achievements. Prominent examples include the , awarded titles for the 1963–1964 season after a 30–0 record and the 1966–1967 season amid a dynasty led by coach , during which UCLA secured multiple Helms honors in quick succession. Over the full span from 1901 to 1982, the foundation designated national champions for 82 seasons, often honoring squads that demonstrated exceptional win-loss records and competitive edge in regional rivalries. The selection criteria emphasized a combination of overall season records, results from contemporary polls such as those conducted by sportswriters, and evaluations by foundation experts, including managing director Bill Schroeder, who played a pivotal role in compiling the lists through consultations with coaches and historical reviews. Unlike the later NCAA tournament outcomes or polls, Helms selections frequently diverged, prioritizing comprehensive performance metrics over single-elimination results; for instance, in 1944, the foundation chose over the NCAA champion , citing the Cadets' undefeated regular season, and in 1954, it selected despite La Salle's tournament victory, highlighting the Wildcats' stronger overall body of work. Co-championships were awarded in seven seasons after 1941 to acknowledge tied claims of supremacy, such as shared honors in particularly competitive years. These designations had lasting impact by providing an independent benchmark for excellence in an era before unified national tournaments, influencing how institutions like UCLA and referenced their heritage. However, the program concluded after the 1982 season, with recognized as champion, due to financial constraints following the bakery's closure in 1969, leading to the transfer of operations in 1982.

College Football

The Helms Athletic Foundation began selecting for in the early , establishing itself as one of the pioneering organizations in recognizing top teams during an era when no unified method existed for determining a single winner. These selections encompassed retroactive designations from to (published in ) and annual choices from through 1982, often diverging from contemporary polls like the (AP) due to the foundation's emphasis on comprehensive performance reviews rather than end-of-season voting. The NCAA officially recognizes the Helms Athletic Foundation as a "major selector" of national championships from to 1935. In 1941, Bill Schroeder, the foundation's managing director, conducted a retroactive review to name national champions dating back to 1883, drawing on historical records of team performances, schedules, and outcomes to fill gaps in pre-poll eras. This effort awarded Yale titles in 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, and 1888, underscoring the school's early dominance, while Princeton secured four championships between 1885 and 1896, reflecting its sustained excellence in the sport's formative years. These retroactive selections provided a foundational narrative for history by legitimizing achievements before widespread media coverage. Annual selections commenced in 1942 and continued uninterrupted until 1982, outlasting several rival organizations and adapting to the sport's growing complexity, including the rise of regional conferences and bowl games. The foundation's methodology relied on independent evaluations by a panel of sports experts who analyzed game results, , and overall team merit, frequently acknowledging co-champions in tied or closely contested seasons to reflect the absence of a playoff system. For instance, in , Helms named both and Stanford as co-national champions after their undefeated campaigns, a decision that captured the era's competitive parity. Oklahoma earned back-to-back titles in 1955 and 1956 under Helms, aligning with its legendary 47-game winning streak and affirming the foundation's focus on sustained dominance. Discrepancies with other selectors arose periodically; in , following a 0-0 tie between top-ranked and Notre Dame, Helms awarded the to Army based on its season-long record, differing from the AP's selection of Notre Dame. This approach emphasized empirical review over popular sentiment, contributing to Helms' reputation for thoughtful, performance-driven judgments that shaped debates on championship legitimacy.

Halls of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Helms Athletic Foundation established its in 1950 at Helms Hall in , , to recognize exceptional achievements by active and retired professional football players, coaches, and contributors. The inaugural class, announced that year and honored at a special dinner, included 25 individuals, among them quarterback of the Washington Redskins, of the , legendary athlete , and president Joe F. Carr. Other notable inductees from this group encompassed , , , and , reflecting a broad tribute to pioneers of the sport. Selections were determined by a committee evaluating career accomplishments, such as on-field performance, leadership, and contributions to the game's growth, with annual dinners serving as the venue for inductions and celebrations. Over the subsequent decades, the hall added numerous honorees, including coach in 1971 for his transformative work with the , culminating in approximately 90 inductees by the mid-1970s. This process emphasized both national stars and those with ties to the West Coast, fostering greater visibility for professional football during an era when the sport was expanding westward. As an early institutional effort to canonize pro football excellence, the Helms hall preceded the official in —which opened in 1963—by 13 years, providing a vital precursor that highlighted the sport's history and key figures well before national standardization. Its focus on comprehensive recognition helped bridge the gap between regional and league-wide honors, influencing later tributes to legends. The hall operated until the mid-1970s, when activities ceased amid the foundation's broader decline, though its legacy endured through preserved archives integrated into the LA84 Foundation following the original organization's dissolution in the late 1980s.

Other Sports Halls of Fame

The Helms Athletic Foundation established multiple halls of fame dedicated to non-football sports during the through , recognizing lifetime contributions in amateur, Olympic, and college athletics across more than ten disciplines, including , , , , , , and athletic trainers. These halls were created to honor individuals who exemplified excellence and , with the first such recognitions appearing in the early for and extending to specialized categories like trainers by the . Induction criteria emphasized sustained achievements in amateur or collegiate levels, prioritizing performers, coaches, and support personnel who advanced their sports through skill, integrity, and dedication, rather than professional accomplishments. All honorees' plaques and exhibits were displayed at Helms Hall in , serving as a public to inspire future generations in athletics. Notable inductees spanned diverse sports and eras, showcasing the foundation's broad scope. In basketball, Angelo "Hank" Luisetti, a pioneering college player known for introducing the one-handed shot, was enshrined for his innovative impact on the game. For baseball, the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame's inaugural 1943 class included catcher Johnny Bassler, celebrated for his defensive prowess and longevity in minor league play. In track and field, coach Alex Wilson earned induction in 1967 for his dual roles as an Olympic athlete and mentor who developed numerous Canadian champions. Swimming honorees included Frank McKinney, a 1956 U.S. Olympic backstroker and two-time national champion, recognized for his aquatic dominance. The Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame launched in 1962 with 26 charter members, acknowledging behind-the-scenes contributors to athlete safety and performance. These halls operated with annual induction ceremonies through the , emphasizing alongside athletic merit, until the foundation's transition aligned with its absorption by the LA84 Foundation.

World Trophy

Overview and Criteria

The Helms World Trophy was established in by the Helms Athletic Foundation to annually honor the foremost athlete from each of the world's six continents: , , , , , and . Created by foundation sponsor Paul H. Helms, the award aimed to recognize exemplary achievements in on a global scale, reflecting the organization's roots in promoting Olympic ideals and international . Selections for the trophy were applied retroactively, encompassing outstanding amateur athletes dating back to the inaugural modern in in 1896, with recipients' names engraved on the physical trophy unveiled in 1949 at Helms Hall in . The criteria emphasized noteworthy performances in major international amateur competitions, particularly the , where athletes demonstrated exceptional skill and adherence to principles of fair play and global unity in sport. Advisory committees from each recommended candidates, and winners were formally recognized during ceremonies at Helms Hall, underscoring the foundation's dedication to celebrating amateur excellence. Following the 1982 transfer of the foundation's operations to the Amateur Athletic Foundation of , later renamed the LA84 Foundation, the World Trophy program continued, preserving the tradition of honoring continental amateur standouts into the .

Notable Winners

The Helms World Trophy recognized outstanding amateur athletes from each continent annually, beginning with retroactive awards for earlier achievements. One early recipient was Simeon Toribio from the , honored retroactively for 1930 as Asia's top athlete for his prowess, including a bronze medal at the 1932 Olympics. In 1953, K. D. Singh of received the award for after captaining the national team to Olympic in 1952, scoring crucial goals and earning acclaim as the world's best hockey player that year. That same year, John Landy of was selected for for his outstanding performances, including winning the Australian mile championship in 4:05.6. Mid-century winners exemplified the trophy's emphasis on diverse sports and global representation. Shirley Strickland de la Hunty from earned the 1956 Australia honor for her dominance at the Olympics, including two golds that contributed to her career total of three Olympic golds and seven medals overall across three Games. Wilma Rudolph of the claimed the 1960 North America award following her historic three gold medals at the Olympics, overcoming childhood to become the first American woman to achieve that feat in a single Games. In 1969, Jean-Claude Killy of was awarded for after sweeping all three golds at the 1968 Olympics, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the sport with back-to-back titles. Later recipients continued to highlight amateur excellence across disciplines into the , though documentation becomes sparser after the foundation's transition. For instance, in 1963, athletes swept the awards, including Brian Sternberg of for his pole vault and trampoline world records, and of for multiple distance-running marks. The program continued under the LA84 Foundation, with later recipients including of for Australia in 2000 following her Olympic 400m gold. The trophy's over 100 total awards from 1939 onward spanned continents like , , , , and , encompassing sports from and to hockey and , thereby promoting international ideals and in achievement.

Legacy

Absorption by LA84 Foundation

The success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games generated a substantial surplus exceeding $200 million, which the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC), under the leadership of , allocated to support long-term youth sports initiatives in . To manage this endowment effectively, the LAOOC established the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (AAFLA) in 1984 as a dedicated to promoting amateur athletics and for young people. Ueberroth, who served as LAOOC president, played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation's mission, drawing on his experience in sports management to ensure the funds advanced community-based programs aligned with Olympic ideals. Facing financial challenges in the early after the death of its founder Paul H. Helms in 1969 and the subsequent withdrawal of primary sponsorships, the Helms Athletic Foundation sought a sustainable successor to preserve its legacy. In 1984–1985, Ueberroth facilitated the transfer of the Helms Foundation's extensive collections—including artifacts, archives, trophies, and historical records—to the newly formed AAFLA, ensuring continuity for Helms' commitment to recognizing athletic excellence. The iconic Helms Hall at 1150 South Olympic Boulevard, which housed the foundation's museum and , was donated to AAFLA in by First Interstate , a sponsor Ueberroth had secured in 1982 to stabilize operations during the transition. Although the Helms Hall site was later repurposed into a commercial district known as the District, the contents were meticulously preserved and integrated into AAFLA's resources, bridging Helms' historical focus on sports honors with modern youth development funding. In 2007, the AAFLA underwent a rebranding to the LA84 Foundation, a name that more explicitly honors its origins in the Olympics and reinforces its ongoing dedication to athletic legacy and community impact. This evolution under Ueberroth's foundational influence solidified the integration of Helms' assets into a broader platform for supporting , ensuring their enduring relevance in .

Archives and Ongoing Impact

The archives of the Helms Athletic Foundation are preserved at the LA84 Foundation's Paul Ziffren Sports Resource Center in , a facility dedicated to sports history and research that houses extensive materials inherited from Helms, including photographs, films, books, periodicals, and artifacts related to amateur athletics and sportsmanship promotion. The center's collection, which integrates Helms holdings with broader Olympic and sports resources, supports scholarly inquiry into early 20th-century American sports, encompassing items such as historical records of high school championships and award documentation from the foundation's operations. Digital preservation efforts have made key Helms materials accessible online through the LA84 , launched in the to democratize sports history resources. This includes digitized Helms Annuals for (1937–2001), football (1936–2003), and (1938–1968), along with championship lists for high school sports and records of Helms Hall of Fame inductees. These resources enable researchers worldwide to explore Helms' contributions to sports recognition without physical visits, with the library actively scanning and uploading items to ensure long-term availability. The ongoing impact of the Helms Athletic Foundation endures through the LA84 Foundation's programs, which embody Helms' emphasis on and development via grants to organizations. Since 1984, LA84 has awarded over 3,000 grants totaling more than $220 million (as of 2021), serving approximately 4 million young people through equitable access to programs, coach training, and community initiatives. This work extends Helms' original mission, with occasional modern references to Helms awards in sports historiography and recognition events. As of 2025, the Helms name no longer operates under active branding, having been fully integrated into LA84 since its 1984 absorption, yet its materials continue to influence Olympic historiography and research. Scholars and organizations, including the International Society of Olympic Historians, rely on the preserved collections for studies on early athletic and awards systems.

References

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