This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Jim Kruse was a standout water polo player for UC Irvine in the early 1970’s. He led UC Irvine to the finals of the 1972 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship, where they lost to perennial powerhouse UCLA. Even though Kruse played on the U.S. national team from 1973 through '78, he never played in the Olympics, because Team USA failed to qualify for the 1976 Montreal Games. Eight years later, Kruse was serving as a water polo commentator for ABC Sports during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
This lot features a pair of commentator sports jackets attributed to Kruse from his work at the 1984 L.A. Summer Olympic Games. The first jacket is light blue and boasts an official “XXIII Olympiad Los Angeles 1984” embroidered patch across the left breast. It is considered an “Official’s” sports jacket from the ’84 L.A. Summer Games. On the inside right breast pocket is an official Levi’s manufacturer’s tag reading “1984 OLYMPIC GAMES LEVI'S OFFICIAL STAFF UNIFORM.” The jacket appears to be in immaculate condition. The second jacket, a darker shade of blue, sports an official “ABC Los Angeles 1984” patch across the left breast pocket. It includes a manufacturer’s tag on the inside right breast pocket area the reads “New York London STODWELL LTD. Custom Tailors.” It is missing one gold button on the front of the jacket.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum.