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1960s All-American Sports Trivia Quiz

How well do you know the people, events and achievements that made American sports history in the 1960s?

A multiple-choice quiz by brewster76. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
brewster76

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
296,938

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
775

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The 1961 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia were cancelled for what reason? Hint

The entire US team died in a plane crash

A massive judging scandal was uncovered

Czechoslovakia had been invaded by the USSR

They weren't. Peggy Fleming won the ladies title

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which tennis great, who was the #1 ranked player from 1966-68, was the first to win 20 career titles (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) at Wimbledon? Hint

Margaret Smith Court

Billie Jean King

Rod Laver

John Newcombe

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Question 3 of 10

3. Jim Rathmann, Parnelli Jones, and Graham Hill all won which event in the 1960s? Hint

The Boston Marathon

Kentucky Derby (as jockeys)

Olympic gold medal in shot put

The Indianapolis 500

4. The New York Knicks chose this graduate of Southern Illinois University as the #5 overall pick in the 1967 draft. Nicknamed "Clyde", he went on to be selected seven times to the NBA All-Star Team. Can you name him? Hint

Willis Reed

Bill Russell

Walt Frazier

Elvin Hayes

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Pro Football Hall of Fame selected three players as their "Fantasy All Decade" quarterbacks of the 1960s. They were Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, and which former Washington Redskin and Philadelphia Eagle who graduated from Duke and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983? Hint

Roger Staubach

Sonny Jurgenson

Roman Gabriel

Gale Sayers

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Question 6 of 10

6. In 1962, professional golfer Patty Berg won her last tournament and this woman won her first. Who went on to win a record 88 LPGA tournaments? Hint

Nancy Lopez

Annika Sorenstam

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Kathy Whitworth

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Question 7 of 10

7. Terry Baker, Mike Garrett, and Gary Beban had what in common in the 1960s? Hint

They won the Heisman Trophy

They were the #1 NFL draft picks

They won the Cy Young Award

They were the #1 NBA draft picks

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who won the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division at the 1960 Olympics in Rome? Hint

Cassius Clay

Bobby Moore

Lew Alcindor

Floyd Patterson

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Question 9 of 10

9. Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Dabney Colman, and Camilla Sparv starred in this 1969 film about the U.S. Ski Team. Which film was it? Hint

"Sun Valley Serenade"

"Winter Fever"

"Downhill Racer"

"Aspen Extreme"

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who was the highest paid figure in sports in 1961? Hint

Wilt Chamberlain

Vince Lombardi

Roone Arledge

Mickey Mantle

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The 1961 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia were cancelled for what reason?

Answer: The entire US team died in a plane crash

The plane carrying the US team crashed in Belgium en route to the event. Among those on board was reigning US champion and heavily favored women's skater Laurence Owen. It wasn't until the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France that the US team fully recovered from the tragedy.

2. Which tennis great, who was the #1 ranked player from 1966-68, was the first to win 20 career titles (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) at Wimbledon?

Answer: Billie Jean King

Martina Navratilova had since tied Billie Jean's record.

3. Jim Rathmann, Parnelli Jones, and Graham Hill all won which event in the 1960s?

Answer: The Indianapolis 500

Rathman, Jones, and Hill each won the Indy 500 once (In 1960, 1963, and 1966 respectively).

Answer: Walt Frazier

It is said Frazier acquired his nickname because he wore fedoras similar to those worn by Warren Beatty in his portrayal of Clyde Barrow in the 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde".

Answer: Sonny Jurgenson

Jurgenson is said to have claimed he could throw a football 80 yards. Staubach attended the Naval Academy from 1960-64 and moved on to the Dallas Cowboys from 1969-79. Gabriel QB'd the Los Angeles Rams from 1962-72. Gale Sayers was a halfback for the Chicago Bears from 1965-71. His friendship with Brian Piccolo was chronicled in the 1971 television move, "Brian's Song".

6. In 1962, professional golfer Patty Berg won her last tournament and this woman won her first. Who went on to win a record 88 LPGA tournaments?

Answer: Kathy Whitworth

Whitworth (born 1939) continued to play golf in the Legends Tour into the 21st century. Lopez had her greatest professional success in the 1970s and '80s. Zaharias was a multiple Olympic gold medalist in track and field in 1932, and went on to a long professional career in golf afterwards.

In 2003, Sorenstam became the first woman to play in a men's PGA event since Zaharias did so in 1945.

7. Terry Baker, Mike Garrett, and Gary Beban had what in common in the 1960s?

Answer: They won the Heisman Trophy

Beban was the #30 draft pick and played pro ball for only one year. Baker was the #1 draft pick out of Oregon State University and played in the NFL from 1963-1967. Garrett had the longest pro career of these three Heisman winners, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1966-70 and the San Diego Chargers from 1970-73. He was named Athletic Director at his alma mater USC in 1993.

8. Who won the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division at the 1960 Olympics in Rome?

Answer: Cassius Clay

Clay later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Ahmad Rashad was formerly known as Bobby Moore. Floyd Patterson was a former heavy weight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist.

9. Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Dabney Colman, and Camilla Sparv starred in this 1969 film about the U.S. Ski Team. Which film was it?

Answer: "Downhill Racer"

"Downhill Racer" was filmed during the '68-69 World Cup season in the Alps. "Aspen Extreme" is a 1993 film. "Sun Valley Serenade" is a film from 1941 starring Sonja Henie. Acclaimed skiing film-maker Warren Miller directed 1979's "Winter Fever".

10. Who was the highest paid figure in sports in 1961?

Answer: Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle played for the New York Yankees for all of his 18-year career. He held the record for most World Series home runs, runs, RBIs, walks, extra-base hits and total bases for more than 40 years.

Source: Author brewster76

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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