This selection is from the pages of the Attleboro High School "Blue Owl" publication from February 1928, and comes from the collection of the late John W. Hardt, a former prominent Attleboro police lieutenant, and was loaned for this column by his sons Stephen and David Hardt.
Though it chronicles a him a long-forgotten and insignificant basketball game, this piece was chosen for its reflection of the distant era in which it saw print, and many of the names will be recalled with fondness.
Friday, Jan. 8: Mass. Aggies '29 12, Attleboro 11
At 10:30, in the cold, invigorating air of Friday morning, the varsity basketball team, including Worrall, Newman, Kneeiand, Spofford, Rogers, Gay and Morawski, left for the sunny (and warm?) climate of Amherst in two spacious, steam-heated cars (Bill Sharkey's Chevrolet and Tess Newman's "dodging" Dodge). Coach Grayson, Drake, Carey and Sharkey served as delightful chaperones. The sandwiches prepared by Mrs. Richardson were readily consumed by the healthy "athletes." Bill Sharkey also devoured a couple.
That peerless car of Newman's failed to live up to its name! When we were 15 miles from Putnam, his car back-fired, spit, and without a dodge, came to a decisive halt. We were well prepared for such a calamity, for "Monk" Rogers, owner of the Wall Street Garage, found the cause of the delay immediately; a nut was missing, but our little "Davey" Spofford reposed on the running board and served in a temporary way as the "missing link." The air wasn't cold - it was colder, and poor Spoff's hands did not thaw until we reached Amherst.
Coach Grayson proved a remarkable historian in regard to the region around Amherst, and his vivid narration was very much appreciated by the occupants of Sharkey's car (his choice of cigars could have been better!).
John F. Drake, besides being the life of the party, provided the "filthy lucre" for the trip. His new "City College yell" was met with approval by all, and although he was compelled to buy a new pair of rubbers, he said he enjoyed himself.
We arrived at Amherst about 3 p.m., and from then until Sunday morning when we left, we were shown the most gracious hospitality possible. Massachusetts Agricultural College is a credit to our state, and the students there should certainly be thankful that they represent and help to make such a wonderful college.
Our first "bill" was caused by Dale Worrall, who succeeded in securing a joyful ulcerated tooth. Dr. Bangs, who tips the scales at 200 pounds, had Dale in his power all the time and did a fine job.
There was no need of a second invitation to the mess hall, and a hearty supper was enjoyed by all. Everyone complimented the ice cream made in the MAC dairy, but second helpings were not forthcoming. Then came the game at Amherst with the freshman. It was an excellent game, Worrall and Morawski being the flashes for Attleboro. The freshman passing was wonderful, but our defense totally baffled them.
Of course, one must sleep, and so at an early hour we were conducted to "our" fraternities. Scott, Blanchard, Thomas and Fisher, who came up in Blanchard's "chariot," were given lodgings also. During our stay at the houses, we met many fine fellows, some of them being of varsity caliber. The lodgings were fine for all except Scott, who couldn't find a bed long enough for his "tiny" figure.
The sight of fluffy snowdrops greeted us upon waking in the morning. This necessitated an indoor program for the day, so after breakfast, some fellows visited the magnificent chemical laboratory building, while others journeyed to Holyoke to visit Genevieve Koch (known as "Cookie"), one of the old members of the class of '26.
Saturday, Jan. 9: Northhampton 31, Attleboro 16
At seven o'clock that night, we started for Northampton - the place of our second defeat. It is a wonderful city and has an excellent basketball team! They stopped everything we had - except "Peewee" Kneeland, who was all over the floor, and at the final whistle had 11 points to his credit.
After the game we returned to MAC, and after a lunch we retired. To be homesick is a terrible calamity to one who has survived the knocks of life, but such happened to "Scotty." He would certainly make a good lawyer, for he changed Blanchard's mind just as he would change cars for South Attleboro. Homesick or not, I think that the climate of South Attleboro was beckoning "Scotty." No one saw him Sunday night. Of course, when the axle broke in Worcester, Fisher and Scott demonstrated their winning ways by securing free rides to Attleboro, but "Smokey Joe" Thomas refused to walk, and arrived home in a spacious bus - minus $2.50. It's lucky he didn't have a sawbuck, for his ambitious ways may have compelled him to make the trip by taxi.
The next morning, after bidding our newly-made friends goodbye, we started for home, and outside of the blowouts, we reached our objective successfully.
Our trip was wonderful - the scenery and all - but not one of us will ever forget the cordial and friendly welcome received at MAC from both the students and faculty. We heartily wish them the best of luck and hope in the future that we may be able to compete again.
W. Carey, '26; E. Morawski, '26
The death of old friend Jim "Rat" McKenna was a sad piece of news. Jimmy and I shared a lot of laughs in the old days. Condolences to his widow Patty and their children, to Tom and Helen (McKenna) Eliason, Bill and Roselyn McKenna, David and Diane McKenna, Joe and Lynn McKenna and to my former coworker, John McKenna.
It is here that I usually ask my readers to be mindful of the hungry, the homeless and the less fortunate, but I don't think anything I could say here could add a bit to my old pal Mark Flanagan's column of last Saturday.
Thomas McAvoy's commentaries appear in this space on Tuesdays.
