The Year in Sports: 1893 Trivia Quiz

Answer: First football helmet used in the game

In his naval career Joseph Reeves (1872-1948) would become known as the "father of carrier aviation". He had been told by Navy's doctor that the next kick he received could be fatal. Reeves instead had a local shoemaker create a leather helmet for him to wear during the game. Reeves would later coach Navy's team to a 9-2-1 record in 1907.

Answer: Boston Beaneaters

The 1893 pennant was the third in a row after winning pennants in 1891 and 1892. The Beaneaters (today's Atlanta Braves) played in Boston from 1871 to 1954. At the time the team played on Boston's South End Grounds. Frank Selene was the manager at the time. In an intra-division series, Boston defeated Pittsburgh four games to one.

Answer: Pennsylvania

Taking place in Western Pennsylvania, the game involved Geneva College defeating the New Brighton YMCA by a score of 3-0. Geneva's Physical Director, Charles Bemies, learned the rules of the game directly from James Naismith, the creator of the game. Vanderbilt University is sometimes mentioned as the location of an earlier game.

Answer: Lightweight

Jack McAuliffe (1866-1937) served as Lightweight Champion from 1886 to 1893. During the time, his record was 38 bouts, 28 wins and 10 draws. McAuliffe's title was won under the bare knuckle boxing rules.

Answer: Montreal

Montreal Hockey Club was a part of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada. Over the course of the season, which ran from January to March, Montreal accumulated a 7-1 record. Its sole loss came in a 4-2 defeat to Ottawa.

Answer: Oxford

This was the 50th running of the race on an about four mile stretch of the River Thames. Oxford completed the course in 18 minutes and 45 seconds, ahead of Cambridge by 1 1/4 lengths. It was Oxford's fourth consecutive victory and at that time was the fastest to have been achieved over that course.

Answer: Wales

Taking place between January and March, this represented the first victory by Wales in the running of the tournament (which began in 1883). Wales defeated each of the other three nations. The games were held in several locations, including Cardiff, Dublin, and Edinburgh.

The tournament later went on to be known as the Five Nations Championship and then the Six Nations Championship when France and Italy joined the competition.

Answer: Netherlands

Jaap Eden won the championship on behalf of the Netherlands. He won at three of the four distances: 500m, 1,500m and 5,0000m but failed to finish the 10,000m. Jaap Eden was only 19 when he won the championship in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands.

Answer: Aline Terry

Aline Terry won not only the women's singles title in 1893 but also the women's doubles title. The latter was done partnered with Harriet Butler. Interestingly, her final opponent in both was Augusta Schultz, the latter with a Ms Stone.

These titles were Terry's only victories on record in the tournament.

Answer: Britain

"Valkyrie II" raced on behalf of the Royal Yacht Squadron, headquartered on the Isle of Wight in Great Britain. The America's Cup is a sterling silver ever that was crafted in 1848. "Vigilant" won the challenge series 3-0.