LAK History

NY LAK was started in 1901 by 20 new immigrants from Lithuania living in Brooklyn, NY The club was incorporated and received a charter on March 9th, 1903. The charter was signed by Pius Wysniauskas, Jonas Liutkauskas, Jonas Palkauskas, Jonas Masilionis, Jonas Sumskis and Anupras Simonavicius. At that time the membership increased to about 200. The first president of the club was Jonas Palkauskas. The club was located at 81 Metropolitan Ave.

1906 and 1907 were most critical years for the club. During this period Bill Welton (Osipauskas) rendered invaluable services to the club by training boxing, wrestling and other sports. LAK survived and distinguished themselves in baseball, boxing, wrestling and weight lifting. Antanas Kundrotas, known as the "Lithuanian Lion", was a well known boxer. Jack Sharkey, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, had been named the honorary member of the club.

After the World War I LAK purchased a house at 168 Marcy Ave. Brooklyn. When Lithuania regained her independence LAK provided financial support to Lithuania.

The LAK founder Pius Wysniauskas was still active in LAK organization when a new wawe of immigrants arrived after the World War II. After 1945 new immigrants took over the LAK. Basketball, table tennis and chess became the major activities. In 1960 the NY Sports Club, which was a predominantly soccer club, joined with LAK, and untill 1970 soccer was the main LAK activity. LAK successfully participated in German-American soocer league, and won three North American Lithuanian soccer championships. In 1978 LAK won gold medals in soccer during the first Lithuanian World Games in Toronto. But after 1970 LAK activities turned to basketball, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. During this period the LAK regular member tennis superstar Vitas Gerulaitis became prominent. From 1972 to 1990 NY LAK contributed $500,000 for building and upkeep of the Lithuanian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.

After Lithuania regained it's independence, the LAK membership has increased significantly because of the new wave of immigrants. LAK was in the forefront to establish relationship with the homeland. It formed a sister club relashinship with Kauno "Pluostas" club and in 1990 invited them to participate in the North American basketball, tennis, swimming and chess championships.

NY LAK is a basketball empire among the Lithuanian clubs in the United States and Canada. It has won 12 North American men basketball championships, more than any other Lithuanian club. It regularly holds practices at St. Vincent's gymnasium in Brooklyn every Friday.

All sports enthusiast of Lithuanian heritage are encouraged to join the Club and actively participate in not only athletic but social events.