Queens Buzz .com  Log-Out Member Sign Up & Log In

REFRESH PAGE - ROTATE ADS
QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

REFRESH PAGE - ROTATE ADS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

REFRESH PAGE - ROTATE ADS

QB SPECIAL OFFERS

Winged Fist Organization - Winged Fist Has Its 'Way'

Mar 18, 2012 at 10:32 pm by mikewood


winged fist organization celtic park sunnyside

'Winged Fist' Has Its 'Way'

Inclusive 20th Century Irish American Athletic Club Celebrated

winged fist irish american athletic clubMarch 10, 2012 / Sunnyside / Sunnyside NewsBriefs / Queens Buzz. On Saturday, March 10th, the corner of 43rd Street and 48th Avenue in Sunnyside was renamed 'Winged Fist Way'.

Ian McGowan [see photo below] was the driving force behind the effort to honor and celebrate the historical legacy of the Irish American Athletic Club [IAAC]. The IAAC is a legacy that dates back over a century, and apparently of which little remains, except its memory.

The Winged Fist emblem, as shown in the photo to your left, was the mark of the Irish American Athletic Club [IAAC] which had its athletic facilities and clubhouse in Sunnyside, a corner of which was at 43rd Street and 48th Avenue. The club was created in 1898, and over the course of the next 32 years, its member athletes went on to win over 50 Olympic medals.

Click here to read the rest of the story about the Winged Fist Organization, the Irish American Athletic Club and Celtic Park in Sunnyside.


'Winged Fist' Has Its 'Way'

Inclusive 20th Century Irish American Athletic Club Celebrated

Continued. March 10, 2012 / Sunnyside / Sunnyside NewsBriefs / Queens Buzz. joe crowley jimmy van bramer joe connolly mike giannaris danny dromm ian mcgowan photos fotosWhile the club was predominantly Irish, club members included John Baxter Taylor Jr., the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal; as well as Myer Prinstein, a Polish Jewish American who won three gold medals in three Olympic games. Indian American Jim Thorpe was qualified by the Irish American Athletic Club for the 1912 Olympics [he was not a member], where he went on to win two gold medals.

In attendance at the street renaming were Winged First Organization Founder Ian McGowan, Community Board Two President Joseph Connolly, City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Congressman Joseph Crowley, State Senator Michael Giannaris and City Councilmember Danny Dromm. A crowd of over 100 people came out to honor the club and its legacy on March 10th, 2012.

The Winged Fist Organization is also seeking Celtic Park Board approval to have a plaque added to the building wall, in the same manner as has been done for Bix Beiderbecke, to commemorate this Sunnyside historical legend.

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to view an opinion submitted by a reader.



Sunnyside Neighborhood / Woodside Neighborhood Links

$element(adman,groupad,NHoodSSWS)$

Click on these advertisements for promotions, discounts and coupons by retailers and restaurateurs in Woodside, Sunnyside and nearby Queens.

Click this link to go to the:

Sunnyside & Woodside Neighborhood

Sunnyside Business Directory or Woodside Business Directory

Sunnyside & Woodside Real Estate or Events & Things To Do In Sunnyside & Woodside

Restaurants In Sunnyside & Woodside or Sunnyside & Woodside Shops & Shopping

Sunnyside & Woodside Maps


$element(adman,groupad,Catgry Queens)$

Site Search Tips. 1) For best results, when typing in more than one word, use quotation marks - eg "Astoria Park". 2) Also try either singular or plural words when searching for a specific item such as "gym" or "gyms".

$element(bwcore,insert_search,N)$

Click this link to search for something in our Queens Business Directory. Also check out Taste of Sunnyside.


Click the log in link below to create an ID and post an opinion.

Or send this story to a friend by filling in the appropriate box below.

$element(adman,groupads,Sectional2 Ad)$