Joseph McKim

Joseph Louis "Chalk" McKim was a Mexican-born American rugby union player who played prop for the United States men's national team in its first two capped matches in 1912 and 1913.

Biography

McKim was born on August 25, 1891, in Los Refugios, Sonora, Mexico, the only son of John Harmon McKim and Pastoria McKim. McKim's mother died in 1896, and McKim later moved to an Imperial Valley ranch with his father, as his father made a career transition from silver mining to farming.
McKim attended Pomona High School, where he played rugby, captaining the team during his senior year, and excelled in track and field, competing in hurdles, pole vault, high jump, shot put, and long jump. After graduating high school, McKim attended the University of California, where he studied agriculture, and gained the nickname, "Chalk." As a freshman, he was featured in a newspaper article, under the pseudonym C.H.A. McKim, in which his physique was described as "physically perfect" and "like Greek statue." Beginning with his sophomore season, McKim played with the University of California's varsity rugby team for three years, serving as team captain in his final year.
On November 16, 1912, McKim played for the United States at prop in its 1912 Australia rugby union tour of Canada and [the United States|first capped match]—a 12–8 loss to Australia. On November 15, 1913, McKim also played for the United States at prop in its first test match against New Zealand. In November 1914, McKim also played in an uncapped match for the Americans against Barbarian F.C.
Later in life, McKim would marry Grace Holdzkom, with whom he had three children. He lived with his family at the Imperial Valley ranch where he had been raised. McKim died on July 25, 1965, in San Diego, California.