How it all began!
Missing from Photo: Bob Campbell, Andy Talmadge
On the evening of Friday February 23, 1968 a group of six men met in the Village Clerk's Office to hash over an idea. Jack Bartells, Jim Gage,Jack Keeley, Bob Moser, Ben Rinaldi and Bud Smith made up that sextet and the idea was of an organization to promote, assist and coordinate sports activities for the adults and youth of Saugerties. This first session led to a second meeting, on March 1st, at which the original six were joined by Bob Campbell,
Don Martin, Jack Rivenberg, "Boo" Schaffer and Andy Talmadge. They adopted a constitution, elected a slate of officers, and the Saugerties Athletic Association was born. Those original officers included Directors Bartells, Campbell, Keeley, Schaffer and Smith, Secretary-Treasurer Gage and Publicist Moser. The first public meeting was held on March 15 and wasting no time, the first activity - a Half Court Basketball Tournament - was kicked off on March 20. Another historic milestone was on
December 10, 1973 when the organization was incorporated as
"The Saugerties Athletic Association, Inc."