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The precursor to the LBSL was the LPRA (Levittown Parks and Recreation Association). The LPRA consisted of 5 teams, Country Club, Brook Park, Pinewood, Indian Creek and Magnolia. To encourage more competition among swimming and diving teams within Bucks County the LBSL was formed.
The Lower Bucks Swim League (LBSL) began with a rocky start. Five days
after the initial founding of the organization in 1956 the league
dissolved. The original name of the LBSL was The Inner Club League. The
league was resurrected again in 1957, renamed the LBSL, and a full
competition schedule was held. Although a full competition schedule in 1957
was just two meets, one home and one away. The Lower Bucks Swim league held
their first Championship meet on August 25, 1957 at the Richboro pool. The
eight teams that participated were Indian Creek, Brook Park, Country Club,
Richboro, Magnolia, Pine Park, Post Road, and Somerton. Both swimming and
diving events were scheduled. The diving events were Junior and Senior boys
and girls one meter dives. The swimming events were freestyle, freestyle
relay, individual medley and medley relay. Awards for the events were
donated by local businesses. There were no team suits, ropes were used as
line lines, no one wore goggles or caps, and the watches for timing were on
loan from a jeweler. Following the events awards were handed out on a
podium, Olympic style.
The LBSL grew within a few years to include teams from Bensalem, Newtown,
Richboro, and Lansdale. Both the LBSL and the LPRA ran simultaneously, so
swimmers often had 4 swim meets per week for most of the summer. Eventually
in the pools in the Levittown league were closed and the LBSL became the
only league for recreational summer competitive swimming and diving.
The founding fathers of our league were: Vernon Platt (Somerton), Pat & Edna
Valinote, Ken Stout, D.A. Fiscel, Edna Despo, James Cameron, Wm Walsh; Al
Deans (Bensalem), Charles Jervis; Gottfried & Barbara Hettler (Richboro);
Dick Geruso (Levittown), Betty Palmer, James Hill, John Rigg (Richboro).
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Originated: Kathryn Hart Site maintained by
Sean Kelly |
