Joseph McKim
 McKim with the US team in 1912 (pictured front row, third from left) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Joseph Louis McKim | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | August 25, 1891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Los Refugios, Sonora, Mexico | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | July 25, 1965 (aged 73) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | San Diego, California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Pomona High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Joseph Louis "Chalk" McKim (August 25, 1891 – July 25, 1965) was a Mexican-born American rugby union player who played prop for the United States men's national team in its first two capped matches in 1912 and 1913.[1]
Biography[edit]
McKim was born on August 25, 1891, in Los Refugios, Sonora, Mexico, the only son of John Harmon McKim and Pastoria McKim (born Caranza).[2] McKim's mother died in 1896, and McKim later moved to an Imperial Valley ranch with his father, as his father made a career transition from silver mining to farming.[2]
McKim attended Pomona High School,[2] where he played rugby, captaining the team during his senior year,[3] and excelled in track and field, competing in hurdles, pole vault, high jump, shot put, and long jump.[4] After graduating high school, McKim attended the University of California, where he studied agriculture,[3] and gained the nickname, "Chalk."[2] As a freshman, he was featured in a newspaper article, under the pseudonym C.H.A. McKim, in which his physique was described as "physically perfect" and "like [a] Greek statue."[2][4] Beginning with his sophomore season, McKim played with the University of California's varsity rugby team for three years, serving as team captain in his final year.[3]
On November 16, 1912, McKim played for the United States at prop in its first capped match—a 12–8 loss to Australia.[5] On November 15, 1913, McKim also played for the United States at prop in its first test match against New Zealand.[6] In November 1914, McKim also played in an uncapped match for the Americans against Barbarian F.C.[7]
Later in life, McKim would marry Grace Holdzkom, with whom he had three children.[2] He lived with his family at the Imperial Valley ranch where he had been raised.[2] McKim died on July 25, 1965, in San Diego, California.[1][2]
External links[edit]
- "Joseph Lewis McKim". Find a Grave. August 3, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Joseph McKim". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Joseph Louis McKim". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c "'Chalk' McKim Not to Return, Friends Here Say". The Oakland Tribune. December 27, 1914. p. 35. Retrieved October 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Physically Perfect Man is Found Among U. of C. Freshmen". The San Francisco Call. August 30, 1911. p. 3. Retrieved October 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Australia Tour - Berkeley, 16 November 1912". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand Tour - Berkeley, 15 November 1913". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ "M'Kenzie's All-British Team is Formidable". The Oakland Tribune. November 19, 1914. p. 10. Retrieved October 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
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