The HSK originated in the 20's but has come and gone several times since then. Over the years it had sports teams such as baseball and basketball. Many of our seniors played on these teams. In fact I still have one of my fathers basketball jerseys from 1947. The baseball teams had several ball players that turned pro.

Today the HSK is more of a social club that organizes outdoor activities for both youth and adults. The first HSK was organized by Mr. Vincent Arnrich who is living today. The original Croatian sport teams came about in the early 20's during the Solok movement. In 1930 you could find in the Navy Field in San Perdo the Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club's baseball team. The players on that team were, John Badovinac, Evo Pusich, Jim Roselli, Tom Guich, J. Cargona, John Vallazo, Mickey Roth, Matt Stankovich, Martin Kristovich, George Rusich, Nick Vucich and Matt Pendo. This baseball club used to play the Chicago Cubs on Catalina Island. Some of the other sports teams were called Sokols of the Pacific, Jadran Athletic Club, Hajduk Athletic Club and the fishing club Sokol Excursion.

During the first half of the twentieth century there were many Croatian sports clubs across the state of California such as Croatian Sokol (San Francisco 1910), Croatian Sokol (Oakland 1911), Croatian Sokol (San Jose 1913), these Croatian Sokol sports clubs popped up in Watsonville, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego and were organized for the same reason the HSK was resurected.

To get Croatians together for good healthy fun!!!

Vido Artukovic