The Atlantic City 4 

Warren Street Social & Athletic Club

Paul G. W. Fetscher has provided us with this Warren Street History.  He also provided it to us verbally at Coogan's at the March 2002 post race cool down (in the back room with Guinness and Shepard's Pie...).  If you have anymore questions or comments, Paul can be reached at:  GtAmerican@aol.com

Professional Marathon History Article

It should be noted that on that unbearably hot day in Atlantic City, the Warren Street Social and Athletic Club came home with a total of $23,000.

The four prize winners,
Katie McDonald - Married with Children and now living in New Hampshire - but did make a rare New York appearance for the Jack Brennan Memorial Run last week


Isabelle Carmichael- Married Tracy Sundlun and is mother of his daughter named
Felicity Rose Madeline Sara Catherine Calypso Carmichael Sundlun
(yes, that is only one daughter)

Paul Fetscher - still hangs around Warren Street because he apparently can't find a life.  Still runs the times he used to - just for much shorter distances

Hugh Sweeny - decided to return to the track and won the national Indoor 1 mile championship two years ago.

Collectively, they became known as
THE ATLANTIC CITY FOUR

The atlantic City Four were charged with being "Profesional Athletes" in an amateur sport and were threatened with being banned for life from competition.

A crack legal team of Alan Silber (WSSAC co-founder)
Frank Handleman (Central Park Track Club Co-Founder) and Jack Brennan (Central Park Track Club Co-Founder - Olympic Trials Qualifier and recently deceased)
sprung into action to defend the accused.

The outcome of the trial is the
Athletes Trust Fund System, the backbone of how athletes were permitted to make a living at their sport but still remain amateurs for the purpose of maintining eligibility for the Olymnpic Games

There were a few additional comments (this one from Tracy Sundlun)....

Paul,
  A couple of additions to your historical piece...While, I don't remember anything about Frank and Jack lending their legal expertise, I do remember Maureen Bateman doing so.  In fact she ran on the WSSAC "B" (for banned) team in the following NYC Marathon w/ Isabel and Katie and they finished second to the WSSAC "A."  Also, though, she didn't win any money, Patsy Margolin also ran and finished 6th in Atlantic City, and Doreen Ennis who was the favorite and died to 3rd later joined WSSAC.
  Regardless, thanks for the piece.
Tracy

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