Lou Meyer

Ring 179 has an annual contest for Originality of Presentation with the winner receiving the Lou Meyer Memorial Trophy. Lou Meyer was a professional juggler who also performed magic. He was a well-liked member of Ring 179 and served in various official positions. His performing career began in 1921 when he gave his first public show at the Baltimore Y.M.C.A. He made his living performing in every conceivable type of venue including night clubs, carnivals, amusement parks, lodges, and conventions. In 1942, he was part of the U.S. Army Air Corps where he performed as part of the Air Corps Show “On the Beam.” After the war he frequently entertained patients at Veterans Administration and other hospitals. Local Baltimore magicians often remarked, “He is a tough act to follow on any bill.” Lou Meyer passed away in 1978 at the age of 73.

Ring 179 had an Originality of Presentation contest prior to 1978, but it was in that year that the trophy was named to honor Lou Meyer. The competitors that year were Ed Campion, Dr. Ira Kolman, Bob Tilford, Sam Walker, Fred Schmelz, and Jim Schuyler. Winning the first Lou Meyer Memorial Trophy was Fred Schmelz with a coin routine ending in a Coin Ladder.

 - Photo courtesy of International Jugglers’ Association