1970-1980
1970-1980
1970: Guyer '53 Invents the NERF Ball
Reynolds "Reyn" Guyer, Jr. '53 developed the NERF ball for a game manufacturer. Dubbed 'the world's first indoor ball,' NERF was such an instant success that within a year, millions of NERF balls had been sold. Guyer also invented the game Twister and other products.
1971: Drake Arena Blow-Out
Ice time is highly sought after but an actual explosion, affecting windows and doors, is caused by leaking gas from the arena's Zamboni.
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1972: Title IX Becomes Law
The passage of Title IX in 1972 represented a new era for girls' sports. Girls' athletic pursuits had always been important at Summit School but a new impetus for competition and college scholarship potential for students was awakened with the passage of Title IX. Jane Davis Bennett, '59 stated in an interview that "If Title IX had been in place when I was in school it would have meant everything to me. I would have pursued every athletic opportunity to the fullest. I would have wanted to do it all."
1973: Tom Vannelli '73 Scores 100 Points
Tom Vannelli '73, the youngest member of a multi-generational St. Paul hockey dynasty, had become a valued member of the varsity hockey team from his freshman year in 1969. Tom would go on to score 100 points in hockey by the end of his senior season.
1974: SPA Joins MSHSL
In 1974, Minnesota Independent School League schools joined the Minnesota State High School League. In that final year of the MISL, SPA would win the final MISL State Hockey Tournament Championship with a 2-1 victory over Hill Murray.
1976: The Start of a Tennis Dynasty
Starting in 1976, St. Paul Academy and Summit School girls' tennis proved almost invincible, winning the Minnesota State Tennis Championship in 7 of the next 8 years: 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983.
