Sokol Minnesota 1882 – 1982

“A Centennial Review”

On June 13, 1882 ten men of vision organized the first Sokol association in Minnesota. These St. Paul Czechs were F. C. Picha, J.J. Hajek, Jan Strafelda, F. Kobilka, F. Kohout, V. Veverka, J. Walla (Vala), V. M. Hajek, W. Smrcka, and M. Kopajzl.

v HajekThe early days of the unit were difficult ones as the newly formed organization lacked both equipment and teachers. Joseph Walla was hired as the first physical director at a salary of fifty cents a month. To defray expenses, the members paid an initiation fee of $1.00 and monthly membership dues of 25 cents. The first officers were President Hajek, Vice President Smrcka, Secretary Picha, and Treasurer Kopajzl. The first meetings were held at Wenzel Picha’s Hall.

Voj. M. Hájek, First Sokol President

Within a year, the membership had tripled in size. Activities, however, were somewhat limited. Classes were small; there were dances in winter and picnics in summer. A number of joint outings were arranged with the German physical culture society, the Turners.

In 1885 the society adopted the name Sokol Žižka after the famous Czech Hussite general Jon Žižka. Two years later it considered affiliating with the National Sokol Association in Chicago but postponed the action because of the expense involved. With the next several years, interest seemed to wane, and on October 1, 1890 the Sokol Žižka was dissolved.

Ten years later, with the arrival in St. Paul of a number of Czechs from eastern cities, the Czech-American Sokol of St. Paul was formed. The official name of the unit was Česko-Americké Jednoty Sokol. The C.S.P.S. Hall was used then, as now, as its gymnasium.

Interest surged and under the leadership of such men as Mr. Bodraska and his successor, Karel Kolařik, who had just come from Bohemia, the physical training activities became popularized. Dramatic and singing societies within the Sokol were organized.

In 1906 the St. Paul Sokol Gymnastics Society affiliated with the national American Sokol Organization. This same year, the ladies auxiliary was established. President F. H. Dvořák welcomed their admission to the organization as “the beginning of the real advancement of the Sokol.”

First women's gym class, 19081908 gym class

This same year also marked the beginning of the spread of the Sokols to other smaller cities and towns throughout Minnesota and the Northwest, due chiefly to the efforts of Frank Drassal who directed the physical activities of Sokol St. Paul. With support from the St. Paul organization, units were formed in Hopkins, Owatonna, Minneapolis, New Prague, Pine City, and Meadowlands in Minnesota, and in Cadott, Phillips and Haugen in Wisconsin, and in Lankin, Mandan and St. Anthony in North Dakota.

Evident that the unit was beginning to attract national attention was shown when two nationally known Sokol leaders came to St. Paul to speak. One was Professor T.G. Masaryk (later president of the Czechoslovak Republic) and Dr. J. Rudiš-Jičínský who officially welcomed the unit to the National Sokol Union.

photo1In 1915 the District of Minnesota Sokols was founded for the purpose of coordinating Sokol activities throughout this region. The first district meet (Slet) was held at Harriet Island in 1915.

Sokol Slet,
Harriet Island,
1915

IN 1917 American entered World War I and Czech-American patriots across the nation joined the Czechoslovak Legion in France. St. Paul Sokols were no exception. Farewell parties were held for these men in Kahout’s Hall, the building adjacent to the C.S.P.S. Hall which was then being remodeled.

sokol 1928With the war over, the task of expanding the Sokols began all over again. Afield meet was held in New Prague in 1920 and attendance was heavy. The St. Paul unit, inactive in 192, was reorganized in 1922 under the name of Telocvična Jednota Ján Neruda but the unit name was changed to T.J. Sokol St. Paul in September of that same year. In March of 1922 the unit re-joined the American Sokol Organization. The visit to St. Paul in 1923 of Joza Havránek, organizer of the American Sokol Union, brought renewed inspiration. In the 1920’s Joseph Pavlicek began publishing a Sokol newspaper entitled Sokolská Hlída.

1928 Sokol

By 1930 twelve Sokol units comprised the Northern District of the American Sokol Organization. District slets, gymnastics competitions, and public exhibitions were held in Minneapolis 1927, St. Paul 1930, Rice Lake Wisconsin 1935, Chippewa Falls Wisconsin 1936, and Pine City Minnesota 1938.1930 girls' competition at Palace Playground

Girls competition,
1930, Palace Playground

After the rape of Czechoslovakia by Hitler’s armies, Czechoslovak-Americans rallied to the support of the beleaguered nation. On September 21, 1939 the St. Paul Sokols participated in a Czech harvest festival sponsored by the Czech-American National Alliance. Food and articles were sold to build up a fund to aid refugees from the mother country.

With America’s entrance into the war, the Sokol units began to decline. The St. Paul unit, largely though the efforts of Frank Verner, managed to stay viable. At times during this period, he had only three people in his class, but never once entertained the idea of discontinuing the program even temporarily.

During the next thirty years or so of the unit’s existence, a number of significant dates and events stand out. The first date that English replaced Czech in the unit’s monthly meeting minutes was February 24, 1950. At that time, Jerry Roch replaced Frank Drassal as president, Rose Roch became secretary, and Lucille Pavlicek, treasurer. Šibřinky made a profit of $400 of which $200 was earmarked as the start of a gym class travel fund. “We hope to send classes to Chicago next year” said Náčelník (trainer) Henry Jansen. Sister Shirley Verner became the Sokol Camp picnic chairman and Marie Svanhauser was appointed chairman of the Mother’s Day Dinner.

In 1958 the number of units of the Northern District had dropped to four-Pine City, Hopkins, Minneapolis and St. Paul. Only St. Paul had an active gym program. The unit celebrated its 80th anniversary in 1962 with a banquet at which 50-year Sokol members were honored: Albert Smolik, Charles Chott, Bessie Linc and Joseph Zikan. Shirley Verner gave a synopsis of important events that happened during each person’s year of joining. She brought in songs popular at the time as well as historical facts. The young Sokol, Don Haselbauer, entertained on the accordion.

On Juen 12, 1962 the Northern District voted to join the Western District of the American Sokol Organization as the Northern Circuit of the Western District. 1965 was the Centennial year of Sokol in America. The unit joined in the celebration with a program at the C.S.P.S. Hall on Saturday, May 8 1965. The highlight of the evening, according to an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press dated May 9, 1965 was when “seventy five year old Charles Chott slapped the stage of the C.S.P.S. Hall with his walking stick, stomped the floor with his high, black boot and broke into a rousing rendition of an old Czechoslovakian folk song.”

In June of 1966, the unit hosted the Western District Slet. Competitions were held at Highland Park High School. Awards were presented at the Highland Park Pavilion following a booya supper and social hour. Edward Cincera was master of ceremonies.

The 85th anniversary of the unit was celebrated in 1967 with a catered chicken dinner. Miro Verner presented a short history of the unit and all past officers were honored. A fashion show featuring styles from the gay 90’s was staged. Charles Chott entertained with vocal selections of Czech songs while his daughter Karleen Chott Sheppard accompanied him on the piano.

On November 5, 1971 the Northern District was formally dissolved with all remaining assets being turned over to the Sokol Camp Association.

St. Paul was the site of the 1972 Western District Slet. Robert Vanyo served as Slet chairman and Robert Bastyr and Lorraine Olson were the Men’s and Women’s Physical Directors. Competitions were held at Highland Park Senior High.

Two events of magnitude occurred in 1978: the name of the organization was changed from St. Paul Sokol Gymnastic Society to Sokol Minnesota-An American-Czechoslovak Educational-Cultural-Gymnastic Society” and the ownership of the C.S.P.S. Hall was transferred from C.S.A. Lodge Čech No. 51 to Sokol Minnesota.

On June 13 of 1982, the membership and unit friends celebrated 100 years of Sokol life in Minnesota. Caterers Paul and Hana Matoušek prepared a delicious Czech dinner which was followed by a program of which the highlights included a salute to 50-year members, a short history of the unit, a fashion show featuring gym costumes past and present, a slide show, and a sing-a-long. After the program, the band Blanche ‘N the Waltz Kings entertained with old-time Czech and Slovak songs. Vic Hubal served as Master of Ceremonies; Shriley Verner was General Chairman.

During this Centennial year, the words of Sokol Minnesota’s current president, N. E. Sladek, have special meaning. “The future viability of our organization depends on our ability to visualize and keep in focus, in this country and in these times, meaningful and clearly defined goals. We much consistently re-evaluate our raison d’être to ensure that we are meeting the needs and desires of our membership.

With this in mind, let us drink a toast to the next 100 years of Sokol life in Minnesota. Na Zdraví!

Our Website histories:

Early "Bohemian" immigration | Establishing St. Paul's C.S.P.S.  | CSPS Hall's chronology |
Histories from the C.S.P.S. Centennial 1987 | Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota chronology |
History from the Sokol centennial 1982 | Immigrant philosophical convergence | Circa 1892 flag