From the Archives

Covering All the Bases

Seaver and Anne Allen Buck led by example on and off the field, court, and rink.

In Berkshire’s earliest years, Seaver and Anne Allen Buck participated in sports alongside the community. Mr. Buck often took students hiking or skiing, pointing out that, “one had to take the proper care of one’s body to be a tower of strength.” In fact, when the hockey team found themselves shy one goaltender, Mr. Buck stepped between the pipes in the School’s first intramural hockey game in 1911.

Though tennis was not offered until 1921, in the School’s early years Mrs. Buck, who was Smith College’s reigning tennis champion in the mid-1890s, often challenged members of the all-male faculty to matches.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Buck embraced the pioneering philosophy that physical education should be included in the curriculum. Their early forays alongside students and faculty helped begin a long, rich tradition of sportsmanship and character development through team sports and outdoor activities.

Above Left: Smith College tennis champion Anne Allen, mid-serve on her home court in 1895. One of the few early photographs that exist of Mrs. Buck, this picture encapsulates her audacity and strength: she graduated from Smith when very few women attended college and even fewer excelled at

athletics. Photo courtesy of Smith College Athletic Department

Above Right: Baseball, along with hockey and football, was one of three varsity sports offered at the School’s founding. When teams were short on numbers, Mr. Buck stepped up to the plate to fill in.

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