Through the years, American institutions of higher learning have followed the path of Olympus. They have educated men in the tradition of the ancient Stoics and taught democracy in a reservation. The Deans of these institutions have been able to guide the student body with a fatherly hand, yet often at a long distance, and in secrecy as well. The student pointer, like his counterpart rower, football referee, and basketball official, was expertly given their introduction and salutary farewell on commencement day.
At the University of Arizona, home of tradition-rich “McKale,” two of these attributes of the college movement have been united at the dawn of the 20th century. In Pop McKale, the university attracted an Ivy League-caliber professor, not of books but of boys, reared from the bluegrass country of the Mountain South.
In this monograph, we are now pleased to present a commemorative study exhibiting James Fred “Pop” McKale in his most interesting light. In so doing, we hopefully will be able to estimate accurately the proper degree of stature that onetime Coach, Intramural Director, Dean of Men, and Athletic Director “Tucson” McKale achieved and held.
The late James Fred “Pop” McKale was a remarkably prominent figure in Arizona for a quarter of a century. At one time or another, he affected almost every one of Arizona’s 70 counties with his unique brand of humanity.
Moreover, after his mandatory retirement from day-to-day administrative duties, his albeit quiet voice was still heard down in Tucson, and an ever-widening circle of friends continued to mourn his loss even now. Also, without Pop, the University of Arizona Athletic Department’s many building endeavors would have been delayed many, many years, and such campus facilities as Bear Down Gymnasium, Cochise County Stadium, and the William Heap Swimming Pool may well never have been realized at all.
For these reasons, then, a permanent and fitting memorial to “Pop” McKale would appear to be a most fitting legacy from his athletic contemporaries. In this vein, utilizing the financial assistance of the Memorial Fund, the Arizona Historical Foundation, and the Copper Club, we now dedicate this limited presentation to a historical examination leading to the construction of “The McKale Memorial Center.”
