The cover of this February 24, 1958 Sports Illustrated issue features Villanova’s Phil Reavis on the cover. This is one of the newer additions to PFTP Antiques. We are working to add listings of vintage Sports Illustrated to our available inventory.
Phil Reavis Flying High
Phil Reavis went on to teach and coach track in Cambodia and Vietnam. Later he moved to Macau China where he taught English to Chinese students. Reavis’ old High school honored him by putting his name on their new athletic field and the Somerville Museum opened an exhibit about his life as an Olympian, educator and musician.
Family Fitness
I think this topic is great for the 1950’s and still very relevant today. Growing up in an active environment would make fitness a normal part of life that would likely be carried on into adulthood. Mixed with nutritional education, this type of lifestyle could give a child a great advantage.
We know that exercise and proper nutrition play an important role in reducing the chances of developing many forms of illness. I would expect that most parents want their children to live long healthy lives. Unfortunately, exercise takes too much time and effort for some people. On top of that, we are surrounded by cheap unhealthy food options.
Yale Vs. Headmasters Hockey Game
A fun hockey game played at Choate between Yale Faculty (above) and prep school headmasters (below) ended in a 3-1 score in favor of the Yalies. Both teams celebrated the days events with hot chocolate and donuts.
Where did they go from here?
Chris von Saltza went on to become a world record holder in four events. She was an Olympic champion at the 1960 Olympic games in Rome, bringing home three gold medals and one silver. Additionally, she won five gold medals at the 1959 Pan American Games.
Tony DeSpirito continued to ride until April 1973. Unfortunately, he passed away by choking when he was only 39 years old.
Laurence Owen became the 1961 U.S. figure skating National Champion and represented the United States at the 1960 Winter Olympics, where she placed 6th. Laurence was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in February 1961, but sadly Owen, her mother Maribel Vinson-Owen, her sister Maribel and the rest of the US team, along with 16 of the team’s friends, family and coaches died in a plane crash only days later on February 14, 1961.
Velisa Mugosa – It looks like this was the height of his career.
Renie Cox competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics and placed ninth.
Dick Voris coached for 3 years and had a record of 1-29. This included a 28-game losing streak that was a NCAA record at the time.
Norm Grow was inducted into the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He ended up with 2,852 points.
1958 Plymouth
She may not have been in this ad, but actess Betty White was a spokesperson for the 1958 Plymouth and appeared in several ads.
Also, you may recognise this car from the movie Christine.
We look forward to hearing from our readers. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think.
If you want to buy this February 24, 1958 issue of Sports Illustrated, or check out some of our other products, you can visit our shop PFTPAntiques. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest or X to get notifications of new listings, posts and sales.
