The ALPHA CLUB was a social club that consisted mostly of young men from South Camden in the years prior to World War I. The club appears to have organized in 1906, and was active as late as 1917. The Alphas had a headquarters for a time at 708 Broadway. The Alphas sponsored baseball, basketball, and football teams. The club had ownership of Camden's professional basketball team in the late 1900s and early 1910s, named, appropriately enough, the Camden Alphas. 

Prominent members iucluded William C. Story of 919 Broadway and William E. Lickfeld, of 818 Broadway. William C. Story was president of the club for ten years. The Alpha Club was celebrated in music by Camden songwriter and composer Don Traveline, whose song, "I Want to be an Alpha Boy" was published in 1909.

The Alpha Club began winding down in the mid-1910s, perhaps due to many of its members marrying, starting families, and having less time for social club activities. The Alphas sold the basketball franchise in 1914 to Dr. Charles B. Helm and W. Penn Corson. Just 32 years of age, long-time president William C. Story died in January of 1919, a victim of the influenza pandemic. The Alpha Club still had its rooms at 708 Broadway when the 1920 City Directory was compiled, but was gone by the following year.

As more is learned about the club, it will be posted. If you, the reader have any knowledge to share, please e-mail me.

Phil Cohen

Philadelphia Inquirer
December 6, 1908

The Alphas were not in a professional league that season, but were apparently in a loose confederation of independent teams. The joined the Eastern Basketball League the following seasom

Woodbury Daily Times
February 9, 1910

Eames - Daly
Kidder Bourquin
James - Weaver  - Henry

Philadelphia Inquirer - June 22, 1910

Alpha Club - William C. Story

Philadelphia Inquirer - June 22, 1910

William F. Davis - Charles A. Jones - Grove E. Potter
Alpha Club - William C. Story
Dr. William A. Wescott - Dr. Walter S. Bray

William E. Lickfeld & Family
Holly Beach, N.J., 1911
Click on Image to Enlarge

From Left: William A., Ruby R., & William E. Lickfeld Jr. Holly Beach merged with Wildwood around the time the picture was taken. William E. Lickfeld Jr. is wearing his old Alpha Club basketball jersey.

Philadelphia Inquirer * November 1, 1914

Philadelphia Inquirer * November 12, 1914

Jackie Adams - Roy Steele - Eddie Dolin - Bill Herron - James Brown
Did not play: Neil Deighan

Philadelphia Inquirer * November 22, 1914

Philadelphia Inquirer * November 26, 1914

Jackie Adams - Roy Steele - Eddie Dolin - Bill Herron - James Brown
Did not play: Neil Deighan

Philadelphia Inquirer
November 29, 1914

Jackie Adams - Roy Steele - Eddie Dolin - Bill Herron - James Brown
"Thompson" is a misprint, Jackie Adams played - Did not play: Neil Deighan

Philadelphia Inquirer
November 29, 1914

Philadelphia Inquirer * January 15, 1915