Founded in 1868, the New York Athletic Club boasts a unique history. The Club's founding premise was to bring structure to a sporting environment that was lacking in organization and uniformity of measurement. Quickly, the NYAC organized the first US championships in boxing, swimming, wrestling and track & field.
In the years thereafter, the NYAC quickly espoused the nascent Olympic movement, playing a critical role in the success of the early Games and seeing one of its members, Thomas Burke, win the 100m and 400m at the inaugural Games in Athens in 1896. In the years since, NYAC members have represented their countries in every single Olympic Games, including the US-boycotted Games of 1980, when the NYAC's Eamonn Coghlan competed for Ireland in the men's 5000m, placing fourth overall. In every Games in which they have competed, NYAC members have won medals, with the exception of the aforementioned Moscow Games of 1980 and the Sydney Games of 2000.
Though foremost, the athletic arena is not the only one in which the NYAC has built a sterling reputation. In finance, the arts, science and politics, Club members have moved in the highest planes. George M. Cohan was an NYAC member, as was Robert Ripley, as was John F. Kennedy, Jr., as was, and are, incalculable luminaries in so many endeavors.
Today, the NYAC's City House in mid-town Manhattan and its Travers Island location in lower-Westchester County stand in tribute to a history that is un-matched. While providing the finest of facilities for its members to enjoy, the New York Athletic Club stands, above all else, for the pursuit of excellence. Al Oerter won four Olympic gold medals for the New York Athletic Club and stated: "Great things are expected of you when you wear the winged foot."