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Left to Right: Velma Dunn
Ploessel (Silver Medalist - 1936);
Dave Wykoff;
Terrezene Brown (1964 - High
Jump); and Jerry
Papazian - USC Alumni Assoc.
1936 USA 400 Meter Relay Team Oak Tree
Re-Dedication Ceremony
IN 1936 -- USC Considered
High Diving "Un-Lady Like!"
Both Velma Dunn Ploessel and Terrezene Brown
(photographed above) possessed the art of engrossing
communication skills. They eloquently
intermingled with the guests, and graciously shared
their interesting Olympic stories.
My husband and I were both surprised to learn
that Velma wasn't enrolled at USC when she won
the Silver Medal for her outstanding High Diving
performance. Her story became more intriguing
as she described how the Administration at USC
attempted to discourage her from pursuing further
Olympic goals because it was considered "UN-LADY
LIKE."
Photo to the left:
Page 76 - Olympia 1936;
Publisher: Cigaretten-Bilderdienst
Altona-Bahrenfeld
1936 Medalist at Berlin -- High Dive
Right to Left:
Dorothy Poynton
Hill (USA) - Gold; Velma Dunn (USA) -
Silver; and Kate Kohler (Germany) - Bronze
Of course, Frank Wykoff, felt
differently about female swimmers and high divers --
his main complaint was with ladies in TRACK & FIELD.
In 1935, Frank actually confronted the Women's
Athletic Association at Santa Barbara, and is quoted
in print as saying ..."Young
women who want desirable husbands and fine children will be wise
to keep away from track and field competition, ..."
The article is entitled
..."Mannish
Girls, Bah!" --
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