Growing pains were common throughout the history of American collegiate sport; however, unlike most universities, Stanford learned from these growing pains and has since risen to national prominence. As one of this nation's premier athletic programs, Stanford has become a beacon for those with ambition. Stanford Athletic Stories, Volume I describes the university's little-known athletic past, which involves several famous athletes, including Walter Camp (Father of American Football), Marjorie Gestring (Stouthearted Little Queen), Henry Maloney (Seven Sport Maloney), and Samuel Bellah (Father of Stanford Olympic Heritage). Most of these stories also include many ambiguous, but important historical figures, including James Mint Howell (The Saga of Mint Howell), John Casey Kazanjian (The Armenian Grappler), Charles Raitt (Playground Raitt), Emerson "Bud" Spencer (One-Eyed Speedster), Eric Pedley (Boy Wonder), Robert Murray (Natural Born Player), Eric Krenz (Weightman Krenz), Walter Rose (Stanford's First Professional Athlete in 1891), Myron Schall (The Inventor), Charlie Swindells (Swin), Marion Holley (Holy Holley), and Owen Sullivan (Wheeler Dealer). Stanford Topics: football, basketball, baseball, track and field, wrestling, boxing, diving, tennis, horse polo, soccer, fencing, rugby, swimming, cross country, volleyball, gymnastics, water polo, golf, beach volleyball, synchronized swimming, field hockey, crew, Olympians, and women's athletics,