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Joseph McKim

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Joseph McKim
McKim with the US team in 1912 (pictured front row, third from left)
Full nameJoseph Louis McKim
Date of birth(1891-08-25)August 25, 1891
Place of birthLos Refugios, Sonora, Mexico
Date of deathJuly 25, 1965(1965-07-25) (aged 73)
Place of deathSan Diego, California
SchoolPomona High School
UniversityUniversity of California
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1910–c. 1914 University of California ()
Correct as of October 2, 2018
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1912–1913 United States 2 (0)
Correct as of October 2, 2018

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

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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]

[edit]
  • "Joseph Lewis McKim". Find a Grave. August 3, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2018.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Joseph McKim". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Joseph Louis McKim". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Australia Tour - Berkeley, 16 November 1912". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "New Zealand Tour - Berkeley, 15 November 1913". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  7. ^ "M'Kenzie's All-British Team is Formidable". The Oakland Tribune. November 19, 1914. p. 10. Retrieved October 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.