Charles E. Marsters
Encyclopedia
Charles E. Marsters was an American lacrosse
player and proponent. He helped promote the sport throughout New England and served in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
(USILA) in various executive capacities. In 1957, he was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
in Brooklyn
, New York
, where he played basketball and competed in track & field. He graduated in 1902. He then attended Harvard University
, and played freshman lacrosse in his first year. Marsters played lacrosse on the varsity team
for the remaining three years, and spent one season as the team captain. He was accepted into the Ivy Club as a sophomore and elected as its president during his senior year. He graduated from Harvard in 1907 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
In 1913, with Paul Gustafson, he helped found the Boston Lacrosse Club, and for sixteen years played on the team at the point position and acted as its manager. After that, he coached the team for some years and served as the club president. Marsters helped promote the formation of a lacrosse team at Yale University
in 1915, and arrange for former Crescent Athletic Club player Dr. William Madden to coach the fledgling team for two weeks.
He enlisted in the United States Navy
during the First World War. He was commissioned as an ensign
through an officer training school and was stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola
.
Between 1926 and 1930, he promoted the formation of teams at Brown, MIT
, New Hampshire
, and Tufts
. Alongside Tom Dent in 1935, he was a co-founder of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse League (NEILL). Marsters served as the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
(USILA) vice president from 1907 to 1908, and president from 1909 to 1910 and 1917 to 1918. He also served on the All-American committee
, and he was on the USILA executive board from 1949 to 1952.
He received the 1951 USILA Award for the individual who had done the most to promote the sport over the past year. Marsters was inducted into the US Lacrosse
Hall of Fame as a player in 1957.
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
player and proponent. He helped promote the sport throughout New England and served in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
(USILA) in various executive capacities. In 1957, he was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Biography
Marsters attended Polytechnic Preparatory SchoolPoly Prep Country Day School
'Poly Prep Country Day School is headquartered in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. Initially founded as part of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, Poly Prep now offers classes from the nursery grade to 12th grade, occupying buildings on two campuses...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he played basketball and competed in track & field. He graduated in 1902. He then attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and played freshman lacrosse in his first year. Marsters played lacrosse on the varsity team
Harvard Crimson men's lacrosse
The Harvard Crimson men's lacrosse team represents Harvard University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
for the remaining three years, and spent one season as the team captain. He was accepted into the Ivy Club as a sophomore and elected as its president during his senior year. He graduated from Harvard in 1907 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
In 1913, with Paul Gustafson, he helped found the Boston Lacrosse Club, and for sixteen years played on the team at the point position and acted as its manager. After that, he coached the team for some years and served as the club president. Marsters helped promote the formation of a lacrosse team at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1915, and arrange for former Crescent Athletic Club player Dr. William Madden to coach the fledgling team for two weeks.
He enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the First World War. He was commissioned as an ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
through an officer training school and was stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
.
Between 1926 and 1930, he promoted the formation of teams at Brown, MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire Wildcats
The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white...
, and Tufts
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
. Alongside Tom Dent in 1935, he was a co-founder of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse League (NEILL). Marsters served as the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
(USILA) vice president from 1907 to 1908, and president from 1909 to 1910 and 1917 to 1918. He also served on the All-American committee
USILA All-American Team
The USILA All-American Team is an honor given annually to the best American men's college lacrosse players at their respective positions by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. The term All-American is derived from the same practice in American college football, in which the...
, and he was on the USILA executive board from 1949 to 1952.
He received the 1951 USILA Award for the individual who had done the most to promote the sport over the past year. Marsters was inducted into the US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse is the national governing body of men and women's lacrosse in the United States, primarily serving the youth game. It provides a leadership role in virtually every aspect of the game, boasts 63 chapters throughout the United States, and offers programs and services to inspire...
Hall of Fame as a player in 1957.