By by D. Brent Sauser, AIA July 5, 2021
Seventh grade can be scary. It was for me, especially Physical Education (PE) class. The idea of actually changing into smelly gym clothes and running around a damp field for 30 minutes was something I never looked forward to. I won’t even mention the humiliating gang showers! But, that’s the way it was back in 1966. The class began and ended with each of us standing at attention on our own designated number. I recall a day in PE that started out in the usual manner. When it came time for us to be excused the coach didn’t excuse us. The class bell rang. Then the tardy bell rang and we were all still standing at attention on our numbers. Finally, the coach opened the window from where he peered out at us, stuck out his head and told us that a student reported that he was missing $20 dollars from his wallet. The coach asked the guilty party to come forward and return the money. I didn’t take it, but I did wonder what a 13-year-old kid was doing with $20 in 1966. Time continued to pass as we all remained stationary on our numbers. No one came forward.
The coach then sweetened the discomfort “pot” by threatening us with a swat from “the paddle” if no one confessed. “The paddle” was a flat, wooden, board with a handle on one end and a flatter, longer portion on the other, with holes. The holes were added to increase the pain. They were right. I stayed put on my number while I watched student after student go into the gym to receive his swat. By the time it was my turn I recall being more relieved it was over than how painful it was. At least I could proceed to what was left of my next class.
Things were very different back then.
