Images(5)

Trophy

Object number2016.100.12

Date1957

MediumWood/Metal/Paper/Adhesive

Credit LineGift of Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.

DescriptionHawaii Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Team trophy. Overall rectangular wood base with rounded front edge, slightly diagonal left and right sides, and slanted back two corners. Gold metal plate on front edge of base with text describing the award. Carved wood Hawaiian Tiki deity figure mounted in the back right corner. Silver metal boxing figure mounted in the front left corner. Rectangular paper adhesive address label on the underside at center.Dimensions12.625 x 6.375 x 9.875 in. (32.1 x 16.2 x 25.1 cm)
InscriptionsGold metal plate on front edge of base with inscribed text "HAWAII AAU TEAM / BOXING COACH / FREDDIE LENN / -1957-".

Rectangular colorful paper adhesive address label on the underside at center has snowman on left and black text "Mr. Frederick W. Lenn Jr. / 104 Washington Rd / Lake Forest, IL 60045".

Historical NotesPart of a collection that documents the military boxing career of donor Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.'s father, Freddie Lenn. Lenn was born Frederick Walter Lenkoski on December 29th, 1914, in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. He learned to box at the boxing program set-up by Father Cox, the famous social activist priest from Pittsburgh. He began to amateur box in 1930, at the Frawley Athletic Club. At age 17, he won the lightweight championship in the Golden Gloves. A year later he enlisted in the Marines. He spent 1934 to 1936 in Shanghai where he continued to box for the military. He won the "Light Heavyweight Champion of the Orient" at the All Asiatic match. He returned to Pittsburgh and went pro after signing with promoter Art Rooney. His last pro fight was in 1940. After Pearl Harbor he was called from the reserves and went on active duty in the South Pacific where he began his coaching career in the Marine Corps. He was a boxing trainer for the 1959-1960 Pan Am games where Cassius Clay participated. He was the first military trainer to become a head Olympic boxing coach for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He retired from the Marines in 1968.

Previous owner Fredrick Walter Lenn Sr. (born 1914)

Related institution Amateur Athletic Union

Related person Father James Renshaw Cox (1886 - 1951)

Related institution Frawley Athletic Club

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