New Orleans Athletic Club is an American athletic organization founded in 1872. It is located at 222 North Rampart Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
History
The club was formed by J.C Aleix and several other young men who built two gymnastic apparatus' in the back yard of Aleix's home, and called themselves the Independent Gymnastic Club.
J.C Aleix was elected president and each member paid fifty cents per month. The members participated in gymnastic exercise including fencing and boxing. The club's motto was "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" ("A healthy mind will exist in a healthy body"), and its colors were gold and black. The original constitution called for no more than fourteen members, and specified that the president be of gentlemanly deportment and be impartial.
By 1873, in spite of the restrictions in the constitution, the club had fifty members, and set about looking for a suitable club building. In 1874 the Independent Gymnastic Club set up its equipment in a building at the corner of Rampart and Bienville Streets.
In 1875, Edw. Fredericks became the second president. The members voted to change the name of the club to the Young Men's Gymnastics Club. In 1884 the club bought the property at 37-39-41 Burgundy Street for $6,000. In 1888 a Stock Corporation was inaugurated. Beginning in 1890, the club constructed at 44 North Rampart Street a new gymnasium, baths and swimming pool, and took part there in professional boxing.
In 1918, members of the club showed off their athletic skills while portraying apes in the first Tarzan movie.
By 1920 the club had about 600 members, but its building was run down and there was no money to repair it. Irwin F. Poche, the athletic director, began to promote health and fitness classes for businessmen. He set up a handball court, and organized dances in the gym. Boxing matches were also set up, and membership began to rise. In 1929 a new building was built at the present location and the club became known as the New Orleans Athletic Club.
Many well known athletes have trained at the NOAC. John L. Sullivan and Roberto Durán trained there before fights; Johnny Weissmuller swam in the saltwater pool; John Havlicek and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played basketball and gave basketball clinics.
By 1972, the club offered billiards, fencing and boxing.
Other celebrities. including Clark Gable, Jimmy the Greek, Frankie Laine, Phil Harris, Huey, Earl and Russell B. Long, Bob Hope, Art Linkletter, Alec Baldwin and Harry Connick Jr., Tennessee Williams, Kevin Costner, Tom Foley and D.A. Jim Garrison have used the facilities.
In 1991 the NOAC opened its doors to women.
The club has a ballroom, and hosts charity balls.