Phillips Andover Academy, an elite private school in Andover, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of notable people, including Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan), Presidents Bush Junior and Senior, gay writer Paul Monette, and my friend, crazy-as- loon Matt.
It has had an aquatics team since 1912, with team photographs from each year posted on its website.
Notice the chest-covering swimsuits in the early years
In 1938 a few brave souls pose bare-chested for the camera; it was still considered a bit indecent, illegal in many cities.
By 1945, they're all bare-chested. They play the Olneyville Boy's Club, the Boston Boys' Club, Harvard Freshmen, and Gardner High. The captain has the odd name of Chips Lazo (real name Mario; his father designed airports).
In 1963 we see the first nonwhite athletes. They also start looking younger. I've noticed that in a lot of old photos: before the 1960s, teenagers looked like men in their 30s today.
Through the 1970s they're all photographed wearing white jerseys. Got to cover up those chests.
In 1986 we see the first Asian boys.
More after the break
The 1992 team is inexplicably buffed. Did the gym get new weight training equipment?
The captains are Jason Heim and Noah Caruso.
Color photos finally appear in 2005. No one is smiling, even though they won 4 games out of 6. I guess there was a lot of economic turmoil that year.
Notice the racial diversity in 2012. The captains are Derek Choi (who went onto Harvard) and Lorenzo Conti (now an actor).
Here's the 2017 team. They won 8 of 9 games against Choate, Loomis, St. Johns Prep, Exeter, and so on.
