Cycledrome

Last updated
Cycledrome
Cycledrome
Location Providence, Rhode Island
Coordinates 41°51′25″N71°24′07″W / 41.857°N 71.402°W / 41.857; -71.402
Owner Providence, Rhode Island
Operator Providence Steam Roller
Capacity 10,000 (American football)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1925
Closed1937
Demolished1938
Tenants
Providence Steam Roller (Ind.) (1916–1924)
Providence Steam Roller (NFL) (1925–1933)

The Cycledrome was an American football stadium and velodrome located in Providence, Rhode Island. [1] [note 1] Its name derived from its intended use as a bicycle racing stadium (velodrome) when it was built in 1925. [1]

Contents

Construction

Construction of the Cycledrome was financed by Peter Laudati. [1] [2] It replaced the Cranston Cycledrome, which was demolished in 1924 to make way for a housing development. Charlie Turville, manager of the Cranston Cycledrome, was brought on to manage the Providence Cycledrome. [3]

The Cycledrome was constructed on a plot of land behind an electric streetcar barn in between the cities of Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The venue had a capacity of 12,000, including 2,000 grandstand seats and 2,000 pavilion seats, and was surrounded by a promenade that provided shelter in case of rain. It was lit by 52 500-watt bulbs placed around the track. Improvements were also made to the surrounding area, which included adding street lights to North Main and Ann Mary Streets. [2] The Cycledrome held its first cycling event on May 29, 1925. The track was rebuilt in 1929 after it went "boom in several places" the previous year. [4]

Cycling

The track's most prestigious annual event was the "Golden Wheel", a 50-mile race that had previously been held at the Cranston Cycledrome. [5] The Cycledrome also hosted the New England Shrine's "Race of Nations", which featured cyclists from the United States, Italy, Belgium, and France. George M. Hendee, a former champion cyclist and head potentate of the shrine, served as the race's starter. [6] In 1929, the Cycledrome held a round of the American motor-paced racing championship, which included Franco Giorgetti, George Chapman, Victor Hopkins, and Gerard Debaets. [7] The 1929 season finale was headlined by a motor-paced race between Chapman, Hopkins, Larry Gaffney, Victor Rousch, Alfred Letourneur, Richard Lamb, and Francesco Zucchetti and a sprint race between Robert Spears, Horace Horder, Edward Raffe, and John Bruskie. [8]

Football

The stadium was home to the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League (NFL) from 1925 to 1933, who played their games in the infield of the velodrome. The football field was snugly surrounded by a wooden track with steeply-banked ends, [9] which cut sharply into the end zones and reduced them to just five yards in depth. During football games, temporary seating was permitted on the straight-away portion of the track, which was so close to the field that players, after being tackled, often found themselves in the stands. In 1930, floodlights were installed at the stadium for night games, and the Steam Roller became the first NFL team to host a game under lights. [1]

The Cycledrome was also used by the Providence Huskies and hosted high school games. [10] [11]

Soccer

The Cycledrome, along with Kinsley Park and Lonsdale Avenue Pitch, served as the home field for Providence F.C. of the American Soccer League. [12] In 1929, the stadium hosted a match between Preston North End F.C. and Bethlehem Steel F.C. [13] In 1932, the Pawtucket Rangers played a game against the Boston Bears at the Cycledrome. [14]

Boxing

The Cycledrome hosted its first boxing event on June 3, 1925. It was headlined by Babe Herman and Tommy "Kid" Murphy. [15] On August 25, 1931, the Veterans of Foreign Wars held a boxing card headlined by Lou Brouillard and Jackie Brady. Brouillard won the bout on points. [16] On September 5, 1932, Providence's Eddie Holmes defeated Christopher Battalino by decision at the Cycledrome. [17] Holmes headlined a card at the Cycledrome the following year as well. He defeated Baby Joe Gans in ten rounds, while on the undercard Joey Archibald defeated Francis Walsh. [18]

Wrestling

Gentleman Jack Washburn defeated Battling Billy Bartush in the main event of a wrestling card held at the Cycledrome on July 26, 1932. [19] On August 31, 1932, Henri Deglane defeated Casey Kazanjian in 45 minutes to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. [20]

Later years

In its later years, the Cycledrome was the location of the E.M. Loewe's drive-in theater. [21] The site is now home to an Ocean State Job Lot and a Peter Pan Bus Terminal. [22] [23]

Notes

  1. ↑ This reference erroneously calls it the "Cyclodome."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenway Park</span> Baseball stadium in Boston, Massachusetts

Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, less than one mile from Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the ballpark of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox. While the stadium was built in 1912, it was substantially rebuilt in 1934, and underwent major renovations and modifications in the 21st century. It is the oldest active ballpark in MLB. Because of its age and constrained location in Boston's dense Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood, the park has many quirky features, including "The Triangle", Pesky's Pole, and the Green Monster in left field. It is the fifth-smallest among MLB ballparks by seating capacity, second-smallest by total capacity, and one of nine that cannot accommodate at least 40,000 spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Providence Steamrollers (NFL)</span> Defunct American football team

The Providence Steam Rollers were a professional American football team based in Providence, Rhode Island in the National Football League (NFL) from 1925 to 1931. Providence was the first New England team to win an NFL championship. The Steam Roller won the league's championship in 1928, which is the latest NFL championship win by a defunct team to date. Most of their home games were played at the Cycledrome, a 10,000-seat stadium that was built as a velodrome for bicycle races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Garden</span> Indoor arena in Boston, Massachusetts, US between 1928–1997

The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928, as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by 30 years. It was above North Station, a train station which was originally a hub for the Boston and Maine Railroad and is now a hub for MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Sonnenberg</span> American football player and professional wrestler (1898–1944)

Gustave Adolph Sonnenberg was an American football player and professional wrestler of German descent and World Heavyweight Champion. As a wrestler, he was National Wrestling Association (NWA) world heavyweight champion. He played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1923 until 1930, for the Buffalo All-Americans, Columbus Tigers, Detroit Panthers, and Providence Steam Roller, where he was a member of the 1928 NFL championship team.

Albert Felix Pierotti was an American professional athlete. He played gridiron football as a center, and baseball as a pitcher. His career spanned 1920–1929 in football, and 1920–1921 in major-league baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward N. Robinson</span> American football player and coach (1873–1945)

Edward North "Robbie" Robinson was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Brown University, University of Maine, and Tufts College—now known as Tufts University, and co-head football coach at Boston University. He also coached for the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

The 1925 New York Football Giants season was the franchise's inaugural campaign in the National Football League (NFL). Playing three-quarters of its league games at home in front of substantial crowds at the Polo Grounds, the team finished with a record of 8–4 against National League opponents.

Mark's Stadium is a former soccer stadium located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. During the 1920s and early 1930s it was the home of Fall River F.C., one of the era’s most successful soccer teams. It is one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium in the United States. After the demise of the 'Marksmen', the stadium was used as a home ground by other local teams, most notably Fall River F.C. (1932) and Ponta Delgada S.C.

The American Soccer Association Cup was an open cup-tie competition that took place in 1929. The entries for this tournament were the ASL teams and amateur clubs from the Southern New York State Association. The amateur clubs played the early rounds to earn the right to play off against the ASL entrants in the final stages. The tournament ran from February to May. The sixth round which constituted the tournament proper included the seven ASL teams and the only amateur side to qualify, the Brooklyn Celtics. The final was played over two legs with Providence gaining the title over the New York Nationals with a 4-2 win on May 20 after the teams drew 2-2 on May 18. A May 19 game was played but officials called the game on account of weather and continued as an exhibition match with the teams playing to a 4-4 draw. This tournament was not continued as the 'Soccer War' was later resolved.

Charles B. Coppen was an American journalist who was the sports editor for the Providence Journal. He was also a baseball executive and a part owner of the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League. He not only shared ownership of the team with Peter Laudati and James Dooley, but was also a co-founder of the team with Pearce Johnson, the team's general manager. In addition to his duties to the Steam Roller, he also had a budding law practice. His career with the Providence Journal ended with his involvement with the Steam Roller and in managing boxers. Coppen was also the manager of Providence's stadium, the Cyclodome.

Peter A. Laudati was a sports promoter and a part-owner of the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League. He was also responsible for the construction of the team's stadium, the Cyclodome. Prior to this, he was a prominent Providence real estate developer.

Kinsley Park was an athletic field, used for professional football, minor league baseball and pro soccer, located in Providence, Rhode Island at the corner of Kinsley Avenue and Acorn Street, across Acorn from the Nicholson File Company Mill Complex. The field was used primarily by Providence Steam Roller, Providence Grays and the Providence Gold Bugs. The park was built primarily by Peter Laudati, a prominent Providence real estate developer and a part-owner of the Providence Steam Roller. He also built the Steam Roller's second stadium, the Cycledrome. During the 1930s the New York Yankees, featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played an exhibition game at that park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Fung</span> American politician (born 1970)

Allan Wai-Ket Fung is an American attorney and politician who served as Mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, from 2009 to 2021. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island in the 2014 and 2018 elections as well as the Republican nominee for U.S. representative for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district in 2022.

Maurice "Jack" Fitzgerald was an Australian Track racing cyclist, particularly in sprint and Six-day racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Zinno</span> American poker player (born 1981)

Anthony Zinno is a professional poker player from Cranston, Rhode Island. He has won three World Poker Tour (WPT) titles and four World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets.

The 1925 Boston College Eagles football team was an American football team that represented Boston College as an independent during the 1925 college football season. In its seventh season under head coach Frank Cavanaugh, the team compiled a 6–2 record and outscored its opponents by a total of 154 to 54.

Timothy Joseph O'Connor (1892–1961) was an American boxing referee and government official for the city of Boston who served as traffic commissioner and commissioner of the Boston Fire Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Etelman</span> American football player and coach (1900–1963)

Carl Edward Etelman was an American football back and coach. After playing college football at Tufts University in Massachusetts, he played semi-professional football for the independent St Alphonsus Athletic Association from 1924 to 1926. He also played professionally in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for the Boston Bulldogs and Providence Steam Roller, before returning to the semi-pro ranks with the Fitton Athletic Club, where he spent three seasons. After his playing career, Etelman coached the Whitman High School football team in Massachusetts for 18 years, and also coached the semi-professional Old Town team of Abington for two years.

Kenneth Hopkins is an American Republican politician who is serving as the mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, since 2021. He is a former Rhode Island councilman, having been elected in 2016.

Richard George Dunn was an American sports promoter who was general manager of the Detroit Olympia and Boston Garden.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "History: Providence Steam Roller". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Bike Plant Here To Open Season May 29". Providence News. May 19, 1925. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ↑ DeSimone, Russell. "A Bicycle Paradise: Peter Laudati, Vincent Madonna and the Providence Cycledrome, 1925-1934". Small State, Big History.
  4. ↑ Markey, Arthur (April 15, 1929). "Here and There In The Sport World". Providence News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Sprint Stars Get Place on 'Drome Card". Providence News. August 9, 1928. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Nations Race Just One Of Many Events". Providence News. July 18, 1928. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "Six Riders Compete In Main Event". Providence News. June 14, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Bike Aces To Compete At Cycledrome". Providence News. September 9, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Providence Cycledrome". Rhode Island Art in Ruins. p. 5. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Cranston High In 12-7 Win Oval Rivals". Providence News. November 12, 1927. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Providence Huskies Defeat Fittons 12 to 0". The Boston Globe. October 30, 1933.
  12. ↑ Markey, Arthur (April 12, 1929). "Here and There In The Sport World". Providence News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Preston North Ends Ready for Bethlehem". Evening Tribune. June 6, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  14. ↑ "Boston Booters Play At Providence On Sunday". The Boston Globe. March 12, 1932.
  15. ↑ "Says He Will Stop Murphy". Evening Tribune. June 3, 1925. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Brouillard Gives Brady A Beating". The Boston Globe. August 26, 1931.
  17. ↑ "Holmes To Test Kaplan Thursday In Hartford Bout". Meriden Record. October 10, 1932. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  18. ↑ "Holmes Outpoints Gans". The Boston Globe. June 15, 1933.
  19. ↑ "Washburn Winner". The Boston Globe. July 27, 1932.
  20. ↑ "Deglane Slams Kazanjian". The Boston Globe. September 1, 1932.
  21. ↑ Leddy, Bob (April 16, 1986). "Class of '33 at La Salle Academy turns back the clock every month". Journal-Bulletin.
  22. ↑ "Steamroller football champs to be honored". Providence Journal. October 13, 1989.
  23. ↑ Reynolds, Bill (January 21, 1997). "Providence wore NFL crown in '28". Providence Journal - Bulletin.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.