National Marbles Tournament

Last updated

National Marbles Tournament
Marbles Oak Ridge 1945 (6986738418) (cropped-J1).jpg
Marbles in 1945
Tournament information
SportMarbles (game of "Ringer")
Location Wildwood, New Jersey
Month playedJune
Established1923
Number of
tournaments
99 as of 2025
Formattournament
Website https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/article_9e54a751-33ee-4d91-8b63-80ea1cb28592.html
Current champion
[Boys] Vincent Ruiz (Standing Stone, TN) and [Girls] Elise Peterson (Allegheny County, PA)

The National Marbles Tournament ("NMT") is a United States nationwide marbles tournament for boys and girls between 7 and 14 years of age. [1] [2] For most of its history, the NMT has been held annually at "Ringer Stadium" on Wildwood Beach in Wildwood, New Jersey. During separate, simultaneous 4-day marble tournaments for boys and girls, the two national champions are decided. [3]

Contents

History and qualification

The National Marbles Tournament is an invitational tournament. To qualify, organizers of marbles tournaments for children conducted in towns, cities, and counties around the United States must apply to the NMT Board for participation. (A long-standing participant, for example, is the Allegheny County [PA] Marbles Program.) [4] Local champions of approved tournaments may register for the Nationals. [5]

The first true National Marbles Tournament was held in 1923, following a surge in 1922 of citywide tournaments and intercity challenge bouts between 2 to 4 city champions. Game rules and playing styles differed from town to town. Several intercity champs and their handlers added chaos and dissention by rushing to claim “nation champion” and even “world champion” status. [6] [7]

Marbles games have deep roots in American folklife. In 1922 marbles were already considered "old-fashioned" game toys for kids, but were still widely popular. Adults were captivated by news of extensive competitions involving their favorite childhood games. [8]

Noting the interest, the Scripps-Howard Newspapers group organized plans for a legitimate nationwide marbles competition to be launched in June 1923. They opened their tournament to all boys and girls of any race or background. They decided on uniform rules for a game called Ringer, and set the age limit to kids under 15. Sponsoring newspapers and parks departments agreed to run local playoffs, then fund travel to, and accommodations at the national finals for their champions and a family escort. [9]

Forty cities around the US, including 8 from Pacific Coast states, sent champions to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the first NMT. All of them traveled by train, some for as long as 4 days and 4 nights. The final match, won by Harlin McCoy of Columbus, Ohio, was watched live at the famous boardwalk by an estimated crowd of 5000 or more. [6] [10]

By 1924, the number of cities participating rose to 54, with some half a million children competing in local marbles tournament play-offs. Represented towns grew to 64 in 1925, and by 1926, over 3 million children were said to have played in early qualifying games. [6]

Atlantic City, New Jersey hosted the NMT until 1928. It moved to Ocean City, New Jersey, which welcomed the event from 1929 to 1936. From 1937 to 1948 the event was held in Wildwood, New Jersey. However, during World War II, the tournament moved safely inland to Cleveland, Ohio (1943 and 1946), and was canceled entirely in 1944 and 1945. A separate girls champion was officially recognized starting in 1948.

In 1949 the tournament moved again, to Asbury Park, New Jersey for 11 years, returning to Wildwood in 1960, where it remains today. In 1976, Great Adventure Park in Jackson, NJ hosted a one-time Bicentennial year run of the NMT. [6]

National Marbles Tournament Milestones

1923: The NMT, based in Atlantic City, NJ, becomes the first US nationwide game tournament for U15 youth. [11] The contest is the only "single elimination" NMT ever run.

1924: The NMT is now organized into several regional leagues. During days of preliminary play, each contender competes only with others in his/her assigned league. League leaders advance to the semifinals, and the two with the best records enter the finals for the NMT championship. [12]

The first serial adventure story based on the NMT (“Aladdin and His Wonderful Agate”) appears in some sponsoring newspapers to promote participation. More serial features appear in later years. [13]

1925: The first girl to win a city championship (Marie Lawley, Harrisburg, PA) is the first girl to compete in the NMT. She becomes a tournament celebrity. [14] [15]

Atlantic City presents a large statuette/trophy, called “The Marble Shooter,” to each contestant (and for several subsequent years, to each semifinalist). [16]

1926: The city champion of Honolulu, Hawaii (Francis Kau) steams across the Pacific Ocean and American continent to compete in the NMT, the longest trip to/from the tournament ever made. Kau meets President Calvin Coolidge in Washington, DC en route and demonstrates his marble shooting skills on a West Wing office carpet. [17]

On his way home to Kentucky, the 1926 National Champ, Willis “Fatty” Harper, stops in Washington, DC where he’s the first National Marbles Champion to meet a US President (Coolidge). The same day at a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Washington Senators, he meets all-stars Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson. [18]

1929: The NMT base moves to Ocean City, NJ, beating several other locations bidding for host-city honors. [19]

The finals are broadcast live to a nationwide radio audience for the first time. Famous national play-by-play announcer Graham McNamee says the tournament gave him “just about the biggest thrill of my career.” [20]

1930: A rare prize for the National Champion is an international trip. Jimmy Lee (Columbus, OH) cruises from New York City to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal. He plays marbles with Latin American kids en route as a proxy ambassador for the NMT. [21]

1931: A rule change allows a player who knocks a marble out of the ring to continue shooting only if that player's shooter stays in the ring. Previously, if a shooter left the ring after a successful shot, that player could continue shooting. This makes the skill of "sticking" in the ring far more important. [22]

For the first time, a Canadian champion (Simon Wittenberg, Pt. Colborne, Ontario) takes part in the NMT. His sponsor, The Buffalo(NY) Times, starts calling the NMT the “International Marbles Tournament.” [23]

1931-32: Kentucky is the first state to be the home of back-to-back NMT Champions. [24]

1933: In another big rule change, the “kill rule” is ended. Previously, if a player’s shooter stopped in the ring without knocking a target marble out of the ring, it had to remain in place. An opponent could try to knock the sitting shooter out of the ring, “killing” the opposing player and immediately winning that game. [25]

Growing popularity and Depression-era expenses introduce separate Eastern and Western National playoff sectionals. The Western Region champ (held at Chicago's Soldier Field during the "Century of Progress" World's Fair) is flown to Ocean City to play a finals match against the Eastern Region champ. [26]

1934: Still growing, NMT playoffs expand again to three regional playoff sectionals. Sectional champs are always brought to the New Jersey shore for final matches. In subsequent years before World War II, playoff regions keep increasing and sectional host city locations change frequently. [27]

1937: The NMT base moves again, to Wildwood, NJ. [28]

1938: 1937 National Champion Bill Kloss (Canton, OH) is featured in the famous Life magazine. [29]

1940: National playoffs expand to 6 sectional tournaments, played out in five locations. [30]

Wildwood introduces new marble rings for use in the Nationals, replacing the old ones made of pressed and smoothed sand, dirt, and clay. The new surface is a mix of cork and rubber that pours like concrete and hardens, repelling rain. [31]

1941: At least 147 local champions (including 9 girls) participate in National playoffs, the most ever in all of NMT history.

1943: Due to World War II restrictions, the NMT moves inland to Cleveland in 1943 and 1946, and sees significantly lower participation. [32] In those contests, brothers Richard and Raymond Ryabik (Pittsburgh, PA) are the first pair of siblings to become National Marbles Champions. [33]

1944 and 1945: The NMT is canceled. [34]

1947: Resuming play in Wildwood, the NMT finals are featured in two leading national magazines: Life and Time. [35] [36] [37]

1948: A separate girls champion is officially recognized. Most years since 1925, one or more local girl champs had competed at the Nationals with the boy champs. This year, the 5 girl contenders are placed in the same league with a few boys. The girl with the best playoffs record (Jean Smedley, Philadelphia, PA) becomes the first recognized Girls National Marbles Champion. (Jean had also earned the best girls record in 1947 and was named the girls champ, but not crowned.) [38] [39]

1949: The NMT base moves again, to Asbury Park, NJ. [40]

1950: National Champion Bob Retzlaff (Montgomery, AL) wins another international trip, to France. He travels with Southern Regional Director, Oka Hester (Greensboro, NC). They promote the NMT in Paris, and learn about French versions of the game (“billes”). But efforts to recruit European participants to the NMT fail. [41]

1953: For the first time, 5 girl contenders are assigned to an all-girls league, no long competing with boys in league playoffs. This guarantees that the Girls’ National Champion will advance to the overall National semifinals along with other league leaders (boys). [42]

1955:Sports Illustrated, launched by Time, Inc. a year earlier, runs an article on marbles, hinting that the future of the game and tournament look dim. SI prints many more reports on the NMT for decades. [43]

National Champion Raymond Jones Jr. (Pittsburgh, PA) wins an international trip, to Jamaica, traveling with his coach. [44]

1958: When the tournament ends, its longest-serving director, Ralph E. Shurtleff (Assistant to the Editor, Cleveland Press), turns NMT leadership over to Oka Hester (Director of Greensboro, NC Parks & Recreation). Scripps Newspapers end their NMT sponsorship, focusing its youth outreach on the growing National Spelling Bee. [45]

1959: The “Best Sport” Award becomes an annual tradition. From 1971 on, both boys’ and girls’ Best Sports are chosen each year. [46]

1960: The NMT base returns to Wildwood, NJ, which has continued to host the contest ever since. [47]

The girls tournament is fully separated from the boys tournament. The Girls National Champion no longer competes for an overall National Championship. (Girls had never reached the overall finals in mixed tournament play.) [48]

For the first time, the boys and girls national champs come from the same local program (Yonkers, NY). Tommy Meade and Christine Zamojski are crowned the NMT King and Queen. [49]

1961: For the first time, a finals match is fought between champs from the same local program (Yonkers, NY). Ace Millen beats Tom Senita for the crown. [50]

1963: Dividing contenders into leagues ends. Using a round-robin format, each participant (boys and girls separately) now plays every other one during preliminary games. In the boys tournament, the 8 top players compete in 2 semifinal divisions. The 2 semifinal division winners play in the finals. With fewer contenders, the Girls National Champion is decided by her top standing in the preliminary games. [51] [52]

A “stick” is a game won by shooting 7 consecutive marbles out of the ring in the first inning of play. [53] This year, the 37 boy contenders win a remarkable total of 282 games by sticks in preliminary play, the most ever. The top 8 win 149 of those preliminary games by sticks. [52]

1967: Mr. and Mrs. Roger Howdyshell, owners of Marble King, Inc., attend their first National Marbles Tournament. They and their company soon become long-term supporters of the NMT. [54]

1973: For the first time, girls’ semifinals and finals are added following preliminary games. [55] [56]

1974: An all-time individual record number of "sticks" during preliminary games is set by Paul McKeone (Reading, PA). He shoots 32 wins by sticks, more than half of his 60 games. [57]

1980: The youngest ever NMT Champion is Brenda Schwartz (age 9, Pottstown, PA). [58]

1988: The scholarship prize for NMT Champions, started in 1968 by Marble King, Inc., is boosted from $500 to $2000 with help from Creative Athletics Products, Inc., a marbles game manufacturer. [59]

1993: The National Marbles Hall of Fame opens at the George F. Boyer Historical Museum, Wildwood, NJ. [60]

1996: The first "perfect" record in preliminary games (31-0) is won by Nathan Thompson, Thompkinsville, KY. Nathan is also the first NMT Champion to win following 3 years as the National Runner-up. [61]

2009: For the first time, a child (Whitney Lapic, Berks County, PA) of a past NMT champion (1973 - Debra Stanley, Reading, PA) wins a NMT. [62]

2020 and 2021: The NMT is canceled (COVID-19 pandemic).

2023: The 100th Anniversary of the National Marbles Tournament (the 97th run of the tournament) is celebrated. [2]

More NMT Facts

Marble shooters (players) are known as ‘mibsters.’ In the NMT, they not only compete for national honors, but for college scholarships, trophies, and other prizes and awards. [1] [63]

Over 1,200 games of marbles are played in the event. [3]

Three-time Houston Rockets NBA All-Star Steve Francis, played in the event in 1988. [64]

NMT events history and former champions can be viewed at the National Marbles Hall of Fame in Wildwood. In 2005, many artifacts from the collection were moved and placed on public display at the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce. [65]

Rules

Each player must use a shooter, in size, not more than ¾" in diameter and not less than ½" in diameter, and should be made from glass or stone. [53] The shooter size will be confirmed before play commences. [53] Thirteen standard glass 5/8" marbles (all identical), are used as target marbles, and placed in the centre of the ring in an 'X' shape, with one target marble in the centre, and three on each leg spaced three inches apart. [53] Players should maintain foot contact with the wood border for each shot. [53] Players can shoot, lob underhand, or roll their shooter, and try to shoot out the most marbles before the last inning is over to win. Or any player who shoots out seven marbles is the winner. [53]

U.S. National Marbles Tournament Champions

Reference for Boys Champions: [66] Reference for Girls Champions: [67]

YearBoys ChampionGirls Champion
[1922] [6] [These boys were 1922 city marbles champs who also won separate 'intercity' bouts. Afterwards, all of them arbitrarily declared themselves 'national' and/or 'world' champions.]:

Charles 'Buster' Rech (Jersey City, NJ) [68]

Frank 'Bud' McQuade Jr (Baltimore, MD) [69]

Francis Dinkey (West New York, NJ) [70]

-
1923 [11] Harlin McCoy (Columbus, OH) [6] [71] -
1924George Lenox (Baltimore, MD) [6] [72] -
1925Howard 'Dutch' Robbins (Springfield, MA) [6] [73] -
1926Willis 'Fatty' Harper (Bevier, KY) [6] [74] -
1927Joe Medvidovich (Pittsburgh, PA) [6] [75] -
1928Alfred Huey (Akron, OH) [6] [76] -
1929 [19] Charles 'Sonny' Albany (Philadelphia, PA) [6] [77] -
1930James Lee (Columbus, OH) [6] [78] -
1931John Jeffries (Greenville, KY) [6] [79] -
1932Harley 'Shorty' Corum (Louisville, KY) [6] [80] -
1933Aaron Butash (Throop, PA) [6] [81] -
1934Clifton Seaver (Springfield, MA) [82] -
1935Henry Altyn (Throop, PA) [83] [84] -
1936Leonard Tyner (Chicago, IL) [85] -
1937 [28] William Kloss (Canton, OH) [86] -
1938Frank Santo (Throop, PA) [87] -
1939Harry DeBoard (Landenburg, PA) [88] -
1940James Music (Huntington, WV) [89] -
1941Gerald 'Chick' Robinson (Scranton, PA) [90] -
1942Charles Mott (Huntington, WV) [91] -
1943 [32] Richard 'Butch' Ryabik (Pittsburgh, PA) [92] -
1944No tournament - World War II
1945No tournament - World War II
1946Raymond Ryabik (Pittsburgh, PA) [33] -
1947Benjamin 'Buddy' Sklar (Pittsburgh, PA) [93] -
1948Herbert Turman (Beloit, WI)Jean Smedley (Philadelphia, PA)
1949 [40] George Wentz (Huntington, WV)Emma Miller (Canton, OH)
1950Bob Retzlaff (Montgomery, AL)Kay Allen (Greensboro, NC)
1951Shirley Allen (Beckley, WV)Ida Jean Hopkins (Cleveland, OH)
1952Russell Gwaltney (Salem, VA) [84] Dorothy Hobbs (Augusta, GA)
1953Jerry Roy (Huntington, WV)Arlene Riddette (Yonkers, NY)
1954Bob Hickman (Huntington, WV)Wanita Kucher (Philadelphia, PA)
1955Raymond Jones (Pittsburgh, PA)Karen Olson (Niles, OH)
1956Fred Brown (Beckley, WV)Lynette Watkins (Philadelphia, PA)
1957Stanley Herold (Summersville, WV)Lois Fusco (Yonkers, NY)
1958Dennis Kyle (Richwood, WV)Jeannette Merlino (Yonkers, NY)
1959Matthew Wysocki (Wilkes-Barre, PA)Sandra Stefanchik (Yonkers, NY)
1960 [94] Tommy Meade (Yonkers, NY)Christine Zamojski (Yonkers, NY)
1961Ace Millen (Yonkers, NY)Anita Danyluk (Niles, OH)
1962Mark O'Mahoney (Pittsburgh, PA)Peggy Mullen (Pittsburgh, PA)
1963James Donohue (Springfield, MA)Patsy Coon (Philadelphia, PA)
1964Clarence 'Peewee' Bower (Mullens, WV)Claudia Davis (Yonkers, NY)
1965Garry Malcom (Elkhart, IN)Jacqueline Izaj (Pittsburgh, PA)
1966Melvin Garland (Pittsburgh, PA)Marcella Elliott (Wilmington, DE)
1967Barry Blum (York, PA)Patricia Yurkovich (Pittsburgh, PA)
1968Rudy Raymond (Reading, PA)Debbie Webb (Yonkers, NY)
1969Glenn Sigmon (Wharton, WV)Maureen Regan (Lawrenceville, PA)
1970Ray Morgano (Pittsburgh, PA)Karen Yurkovich (Pittsburgh, PA)
1971Rick Mawhinney (Cumberland, MD)Cheryl Elliott (Wilmington, DE)
1972Ray Jarrell (Whitesville, WV)Kathy Pazkowski (Pittsburgh, PA)
1973Doug Hager (Whitesville, WV)Debra Stanley (Reading, PA) [84]
1974Larry Kokos (Pittsburgh, PA)Susan Regan (Pittsburgh, PA)
1975Richard Unser (Pittsburgh, PA) [84] Sharon Woolworth (Reading, PA)
1976Jeff Rice (Cumberland, MD)Judy Bosiljevak (Allegheny County, PA)
1977Walt Morgano (Lawrenceville, PA)Dianne Kopicki (Reading, PA)
1978Dean Feinauer (Reading, PA)Diane Bertosh (Lawrenceville, PA)
1979Danny Stamm (Reading, PA)Kris Alfiero (Reading, PA) [84]
1980Sandy Nesmith (Arnett, WV)Brenda Schwartz (Pottstown, PA)
1981Jeff Kimmell (Cumberland, MD) [95] [84] Joelle Guiles (Reading, PA) [84]
1982Mike Moore (Cumberland, MD) [84] Lisa Stamm (Reading, PA)
1983Kerry Acord (Arnett, WV)Patricia Kimmel (Cumberland, MD
1984Gregg Yakich (Pittsburgh, PA)Nicole Stamm (Reading, PA)
1985Jon Jamison (Reading, PA)Amy Thompson (Cumberland, MD)
1986Giang Duong (Upper Darby, PA)Darlene Schwartz (Berks County, PA)
1987Chad Reber (Berks County, PA)Lori Dickel (Ridgeley, WV)
1988Dan Strohecker (Reading, PA)Shannon Capasso (Pittsburgh, PA) [84]
1989Nicky Piatek (Pittsburgh, PA) [84] Donna Rothenberger (Reading, PA) [84]
1990Carl Whitacre (Ridgeley, WV) [84] Alison Reber (Oley, PA) [84]
1991Brian Shollenberger (Reading, PA) [84] Dawn Lancaster (Cumberland, MD) [84]
1992Wesley Thompson (Standing Stone, TN) [84] Trish Tressler (Frederick County, MD) [84]
1993David McGee (Pittsburgh, PA) [84] Amanda Burns (Clay County, TN)
1994Bong Duong (Upper Darby, PA) [84] Kim Shuttleworth (Allegheny County, PA) [84]
1995Jason Williams (Clarksburg, WV)Stephanie Zlokas (Pittsburgh, PA)
1996Nathan Thompson (Monroe County, KY)Molly Reecer (Celina, TN)
1997Michael Thomas (Upper Darby, PA)Megan Winkelman (Frederick County, MD) [95]
1998Ben Nelson (Middletown, MD)Emily Martin (Frederick County, MD)
1999Doug Watson (Greencastle, PA)Kathy Stehlik (Perry Hall, MD)
2000Andrew Martinez (Grand Junction, CO)Larin Miller (Pittsburgh, PA)
2001Tim Ratliff (Washington Co., MD)Kristie Vanderzee
2002Jonathan Hulse (Washington Co., MD)Morgan Kellman (Middletown, MD)
2003Jeremy Hulse (Hagerstown, MD)Jennifer Pinciotti (Frederick County, MD)
2004Aaron Nees (Mesa County, CO)Carly Miller (Allegheny County, PA)
2005Jamie Miller (Allegheny County, PA)Amy Nees (Mesa County, CO)
2006Keith Moss (Allegheny County, PA)Melissa Ashwood (Gunnison, CO)
2007Nick Anderson (Mesa County, CO)Alexandra Bauer (Pittsburgh, PA)
2008John Laffakis (Pittsburgh, PA)Amber Ricci (Pittsburgh, PA)
2009Ricky Brode (Cumberland, MD)Whitney Lapic (Shillington, PA)
2010Corey Goolsby (Standing Stone, TN)Penelope Bauer (Pittsburgh, PA)
2011Brandon Matchett (Allegheny County, PA)Bailey Narr (Allegheny County, PA)
2012Caleb Isaacson (Gunnison, CO)Logan Mayberry (Clay County, TN)
2013Cooper Fischer (Middletown, MD) [63] Emily Cavacini (Allegheny County, PA)
2014Dominic Rudakevych (Middletown, MD) [63] Marilyn Fischer (Middletown Valley, MD) [63]
2015Devon Loewendick (Cumberland, MD)Emily Simkovich (Lansdowne, PA)
2016Louie Lee (Mesa County, CO)Haley Grenesko (Pittsburgh, PA)
2017Eli Murphy (Allegheny County, PA)Sierra Ricci (Allegheny County, PA)
2018Joshua Johnston (Ambler, PA)Madison Johnson (Allegheny County, PA)
2019Spencer Hays (Gunnison, CO)Lauren Young (Frederick County, MD)
2020No tournament - COVID-19
2021No tournament - COVID-19
2022Todd Kmiecik (Middletown, MD)Jessica Johnson (Cape May County, NJ)
2023Isaiah Garcia (Philadelphia, PA)Jessica Thompson (Middletown Valley, MD)
2024Myles Lacy (Clay County, TN) [3] Katelynn Gaumer (Cumberland, MD) [3]
2025Vincent Ruiz (Standing Stone, TN) [96] Elise Peterson (Allegheny County, PA) [96]

Other marble tournaments

References

  1. 1 2 "National Marble Tournament | Wildwood, NJ / About". The National Marbles Tournament. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 Eddie Davis (20 June 2023). "Wildwood's National Marbles Tourney Celebrates 100 Years". wfpg.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "The Wildwoods Crown the King and Queen of Marbles at the 101st Annual National Marbles Tournament". wildwoodsnj.com. 20 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Allegheny County/Marbles Program". alleghenycounty.us. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  5. ↑ "Tournament | National Marble Tournament". National Marbles Tournament. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Flewelling, Stan (2018). "Kings (and Queens) of the Ring - Early Days of the US National Marbles Tournament". Museum of American Glass in West Virginia/National Marble Museum. magwv.org.
  7. ↑ Flewelling, Stan (4 May 2023). "How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started/7 – Mibs Mania". How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "Old-Fashioned Games for Our Kiddies of Today". The Buffalo Enquirer. 25 September 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Flewelling, Stan (5 May 2023). "How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started/9 – Big News!". How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Flewelling, Stan (24 May 2023). "How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started/32 – Finals". How the National Marbles Tournament Got Started. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Big News Here For Marble Players". The Cleveland Press. 6 February 1923. p. 1. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  12. ↑ Lippert, Jack K. (8 June 1924). "[Pittsburgh's] Marble King on Way Home". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 17. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Aladdin and His Wonderful Agate". The Scranton (PA) Times. 3 May 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  14. ↑ "Girl Wins Trip to Seashore and Piano From 'Dad'". Harrisburg Telegraph. 23 May 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  15. ↑ Craig, Yvette (20 June 1990). "Marbles Shot Full Of Tradition". Press of Atlantic City. p. 23. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  16. ↑ "Statuette Received by Master Weiss, Mib Champ". The Pittsburgh Press. 18 October 1925. p. 27. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  17. ↑ "Visit of Hawaii's Marble Champion With President At White House". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 24 June 1926. p. 7. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  18. ↑ "Coolidge Greets Harper And Boswell In Executive Offices Of The White House". Owensboro (KY) Messenger-Inquirer. 4 July 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Ocean City [NJ] Gets Marble Tourney". Atlantic City Press. 16 February 1929. p. 10. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  20. ↑ McNamee, Graham (21 July 1929). "Graham McNamee Speaking: 'The Unexpected Thrill'". Buffalo (NY) Courier Express. p. 47. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  21. ↑ "Columbus Boy Wins National Marble Honor". The Lima Morning Star and Republican-Gazette. 28 June 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Mib Tourney Rule Changed". The Cincinnati Post. 20 February 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "Three Mib Champs Off To Ocean City". The Buffalo Times. 20 June 1931. p. 3. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  24. ↑ "City Boy Wins Marble Title". The Louisville Courier-Journal. 2 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  25. ↑ "'Joker' Rule Changed". The Scranton Times. 1 April 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  26. ↑ "Rule Changes Will Help 'Mib' Shooters". Harrisburg Telegraph. 5 April 1933. p. 9. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  27. ↑ "3 Mibs Tourneys To Be Conducted". Camden Evening Courier. 13 January 1934. p. 15. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  28. 1 2 "Winner Again Will Be Sent To Nationals". Cumberland Sunday Times. 14 March 1937. p. 19. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  29. ↑ LIFE Magazine - 'Bill Kloss is America's Best Marble Player'. Time Inc. 25 April 1938. pp. 54–55.
  30. ↑ "2 Battle To Bring Mibs Title Here". The Cleveland Press. 20 June 1940. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  31. ↑ Van Hart, Joseph F (13 June 1940). "New Ring For Marbles Tournament". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Press National Tourney Is Coming Soon [to Cleveland]". The Cleveland Press. 26 April 1943. p. 9. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  33. 1 2 "Pittsburgh Boy Wins U.S. Marbles Crown". The Cleveland Press. 7 June 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  34. ↑ Zitron, Karl (22 April 1946). "Press Marbles Contest Is Back After 3 Years". The Cleveland Press. p. 4. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  35. ↑ Scott, Donald W. (27 April 1947). "Wildwood To Renew National Marbles Play". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 21. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  36. ↑ LIFE Magazine [Winners and Losers]. Time Inc. 21 July 1947. pp. 32–33.
  37. ↑ "Sport: Deadeyes at Wildwood". TIME Magazine. 7 July 1947. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  38. ↑ "Upper Darby girl Wins Mibs Match". Delaware County Daily Times. 22 June 1948. p. 17. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  39. ↑ Scott, Donald W. (25 June 1948). "Drexell Hill Girl Wins Marbles Crown". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 10. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  40. 1 2 "Marbles Tourney To Be At Asbury Park". Long Branch [NJ] Daily Record. 23 March 1949. p. 12. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  41. ↑ ",All Aboard". The Greensboro Record. 8 August 1950. p. 20. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  42. ↑ "Gal Gets Shot At Mibs Title Here". Asbury Park Press. 14 June 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  43. ↑ "1955-06-20 -- Sports Illustrated -- 'Color In The Dust'". Marble Connection. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  44. ↑ "Champ Returns Home". New Pittsburgh Courier. 17 September 1955. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  45. ↑ Springer, George (20 June 1958). "Sports Jottings - National Mibs Tournament Has A New Director". Beckley [WV] Post-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  46. ↑ Springer, George (13 June 1963). "TV Personality Crowns Champ [and a glance at latest NMT records]". Beckley [WV] Post-Herald. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  47. ↑ "US Marble Tourney Set In Wildwood [Again]". Atlantic City Press. 8 January 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  48. ↑ 1960 National Marbles Tournament Results. (C. Eugene Mason Collection, Cumberland, MD)
  49. ↑ "Yonkers Sweeps Nationals With Last-Game Triumph". The Yonkers Herald Statesman. 25 June 1960. p. 15. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  50. ↑ ""[Ace Millen] Outshoots Senita In Final"". The [Yonkers, NY] Herald Statesman. 24 June 1961. p. 13. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  51. ↑ "City Marbles Champ Ready For National". Cumberland Evening Times. 11 June 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  52. 1 2 1963 National Marbles Tournament Results. (C. Eugene Mason Collection, Cumberland, MD)
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Tournament Rules and Equipment" (PDF). nationalmarblestournament.org. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  54. ↑ Brown, Mike (16 June 1967). "Top Eight In Tourney". Beckley Post-Herald. p. 2. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  55. ↑ 1973 National Marbles Tournament Results. (C. Eugene Mason Collection, Cumberland, MD)
  56. ↑ "Local Girl Loses Mibs Semi-Final". Cumberland Evening Times. 15 June 1973. p. 9. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  57. ↑ 1974 National Marbles Tournament Results. (C. Eugene Mason Collection, Cumberland, MD)
  58. ↑ Bersani, Anthony (27 June 1980). "Marble Champions Just Keep Rolling". Press of Atlantic City. p. 35. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  59. ↑ "State Entrants Win Titles In Marbles Event". The Scranton Times. 24 June 1988. p. 15. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  60. ↑ Levine, Stephen R (18 June 1993). "Wildwood Ready To Roll As Marbles Tournament Host". Press of Atlantic City. p. 36. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  61. ↑ "After Losing The Marbles Title Three Times, Boy Named King". Lexington Herald-Leader. 28 June 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  62. ↑ Gilfillian, Trudi (25 June 2009). "Family Legacy Lives On In Girls Marbles Champ". Press of Atlantic City. pp. C1. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  63. 1 2 3 4 Trudi Gilfillian (19 June 2014). "Champions crowned at the National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood". pressofatlanticcity.com.
  64. ↑ Trudi Gilfillian (16 June 2014). "National Marbles Tournament begins in Wildwood". Press of Atlantic City.
  65. ↑ Patrick Lavery (27 October 2022). "Wildwood, N.J Hasn't lost its Marbles - Its kept them for 100 years". nj1015.com/.
  66. ↑ "National Marbles Tournament – National Boys Champions". nationalmarblestournament.org. 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  67. ↑ "National Marbles Tournament – National Girls Champions". nationalmarblestournament.org. 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  68. ↑ "Wins Marble Title As 3,000 Boys Cheer". The New York Times. 14 May 1922. p. 17. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  69. ↑ "Local Hoodles Champion Wins Fresh Laurels At Philadelphia". The Baltimore Sun. 21 May 1922. pp. 24 & 8. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  70. ↑ "Buster Loses Marbles Title And Declares He's Through". New York Daily News. 8 September 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  71. ↑ "Harlin McCoy Captures First U.S. Marble Title". Atlantic City Daily Press. 30 June 1923. p. 18. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  72. ↑ "Maryland Boy Lands National Marbles Title". Atlantic City Daily Press. 7 June 1924. p. 1. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  73. ↑ "Dutch Robbins Marble Champ". Atlantic City Daily Press. 6 June 1925. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  74. ↑ "Kentucky Lad Youngest King Of Marbledom". Atlantic City Daily Press. 3 July 1926. pp. 1&18. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  75. ↑ "13-Year-Old Clairton Boy Marble King". Atlantic City Daily Press. 2 July 1927. pp. 1, 20, 22. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  76. ↑ "Kenmore, Ohio 'Mibs' Marvel New Champion". Atlantic City Daily Press. 4 July 1928. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  77. ↑ "'Mibs' Crown Goes to Philadelphia". Atlantic City Press. 29 June 1929. p. 1. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  78. ↑ "James Lee Wins Marble Crown". New York Daily News. 28 June 1930. p. 28. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  79. ↑ "John Jeffries Wins National Marbles Title". Atlantic City Press. 27 June 1931. p. 17. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  80. ↑ "South Jersey Youth Loses Mibs Title: Weisgerber defeated by 'Shorty' Corum". Atlantic City Press. 2 July 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  81. ↑ "Aaron Butash, Throop, PA, Wins National 'Mibs' Crown". Atlantic City Press. 1 July 1933. p. 8. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  82. ↑ "Seaver Snares U.S. Mibs Title". Atlantic City Press. 1 July 1934. p. 15. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  83. ↑ "Pennsylvania Lad 'Mibs' King". Atlantic City Press. 30 June 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  84. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Look Back at Wildwood's Marbles Tournament". pressofatlanticcity.com. 6 June 2014.
  85. ↑ "Leonard Tyner Wins National Mibs Diadem". Atlantic City Press. 3 July 1936. p. 13. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  86. ↑ "William Kloss Captures National Marbles Crown". Atlantic City Press. 3 July 1937. p. 12. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  87. ↑ "Santo Annexes U.S. Mibs Title". Atlantic City Press. 2 July 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  88. ↑ "DeBoard Wins Marble Title". Atlantic City Press. 1 July 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  89. ↑ "Kentucky Lad Wins Mibs Championship". Atlantic City Press. 29 June 1940. p. 14. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  90. ↑ "Gerald 'Chick' Robinson Carries Off Marbles Title". Atlantic City Press. 12 July 1941. p. 12. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  91. ↑ "Charley Mott 'Whistles' His Way To The National Marbles Crown". Atlantic City Press. 4 July 1942. p. 7. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  92. ↑ "Pittsburgh Boy Wins Grand Championship Crown in 1943 National Marbles Tournament". The Cleveland Press. 12 June 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  93. ↑ "Pittsburgh Boy Wins National Mibs Title". Atlantic City Press. 28 June 1947. p. 17. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  94. ↑ "US Marble Tourney Set In Wildwood [Again]". Atlantic City Press. 8 January 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  95. 1 2 Elissa Leibowitz (30 July 1997). "A Champion at Marbles - Player Made a Straight Shot for the Top". washingtonpost.com. Jeff Kimmell, national marbles champion of 1981, and marbles coach of twelve-year-old Megan Winkelman quoted: Megan is the best marble player, he has ever seen.
  96. 1 2 Press of Atlantic City, Jacob Erlbaum (18 June 2025). "Wildwood just crowned its newest king and queen of marbles". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
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