125 Years of Grit: The Legacy of the South Broadway Athletic Club

From Olympic bronze medals to Golden Gloves glory, the South Broadway Athletic Club (SBAC) is the beating heart of St. Louis boxing history. Founded in 1899 by Herman Kid Kempf and a small group of South St. Louisans, the SBAC evolved from a local neighborhood gym into a powerhouse of American athletics. For over a century, the "blue-trunked boys" of the SBAC have dominated the ring, while the club itself became a cornerstone of the Soulard community.

Why the SBAC Defines St. Louis:

• Championship Pedigree: Home to 1904 Olympic wrestlers and more Golden Gloves team titles than any other organization in the city.

• Neighborhood Soul: A historic South Seventh Street landmark that has hosted generations of fish frys, Big Band concerts, and community celebrations since 1914.

• Resilience & Revival: Discover the inspiring story of how the club overcame financial hardship to thrive once again in the 21st century.

Explore the images and stories of a St. Louis institution that refuses to stay down. This is 125 years of historywith the best chapters yet to come.