Mr. Mangin vividly describes the popularity of softball and basketball activities in Manitowoc County. Games were so well attended there was often less than standing room only. A special train was run between Sheboygan and Manitowoc to transport fans to games.|00:00:00-Part 1 Introduction00:00:51-Part 2 Mr. Mangin spoke of his role in athletics in Manitowoc beginning with the State Tournament Basketball teams of 1923-1925. He then became Recreation Director for the city. Many businesses sponsored teams, especially the local hardware stores. Public support was very good with large paid attendance at games (the Rahr family contributed anonymously).00:04:48-Part 3 Competition was very pointed at the softball games. It was sometimes hard to choose umpires and regulate against ringers.00:06:22-Part 4 Sponsors would choose managers who would then choose their players. They tried to blend the community.00:07:07-Part 5 Manitowoc was divided into 3 major sections: North side, South side (Westfield) and Polish Hill. The teams were quite diversified unless one sponsor offered more beer after the games.00:09:04-Part 6 The County offered outstanding basketball teams. Rules were different and the game was far more physical than today. They offered entertainment during the cold winters. The home crowds were very supportive.00:12:23-Part 7 Manitowoc has had a semi-pro team in the Central States Football League since the 1930s. They were considered good will ambassadors for the city.00:14:32-Part 8 Mr. Mangin remembers his high school basketball games played at Lincoln during the 1920s. The facility was very modern for the times. They had the first glass backboards for high school basketball in the state and played to overflow crowds.00:18:01-Part 9 Their biggest competitor was Sheboygan. They would have special trains to take the fans to the games in Sheboygan, getting there early enough to take most of the seating in the gym.00:19:22-Part 10 Mr. C.G. Stangel (principal at Lincoln) was an outstanding educator emphasizing scholastics before athletics. Graduates tended to stay in Manitowoc due to job opportunities and an educational system which included continuing education.00:25:14-Part 11 Rex John was a highly respected basketball coach, principal and teacher.00:26:40-Part 12 Girls athletics eventually offered the same opportunities as the boys.00:28:07-Part 13 There were some water sports offered here, but Lake Michigan was not conducive to sports.00:29:10-Part 14 The town of Grimms, northwest of Manitowoc, had a top quality lime kiln. Describes the lime process and Western Lime and Cement Company.00:29:48-Part 15 Many workers came from Sicily, Italy and had worked at the Carerra marble quarries.00:34:45-Part 16 The Irish lived around Maple Grove and had a prosperous settlement. St. Patrick’s Church00:36:09-Part 17 The Manitowoc Chiefs and before that the Gaels were active in Manitowoc up to the time of the interview.00:38:15-Part 18 Reedsville won the state basketball championship in 1943-44.00:39:12-Part 19 Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company became the Manitowoc Company. Describes divisions and history of shipbuilding.