Olympics Plight Chronicled (PDF) / Rensselaer Archives Blog Post

Later this month the world will join together to follow the excitement and competition of the Summer Olympic Games. All eyes will be on London as world-class athletes will represent their respective nations in a plethora of games and events.

It was 64 years ago that the Olympic Games were last held in London and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was very well represented. The men's lacrosse team – a dominant force in collegiate lacrosse led by Ned Harkness – was selected by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association to represent the nation and the sport in those Games. The team did so admirably, not losing a contest while overseas.

The attached document includes numerous articles of the team's plight as it prepared for the Olympics, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and posted a 7-0-1 mark against England's best.

Special thanks to Mr. Don Birkmayer '49 for his compilation of the information and contribution to the athletic department.