Marlborough sports history

The history of sport in Marlborough, Massachusetts, from 1660 to the present. Presented January 30, 2013, by Bob Kane, curator of the Marlborough Historical Society. More information on Marlborough and on the historical society is at www.HistoricMarlborough.org.

1. Marlborough Sports History

2. Researched and presented by Bob Kane, curator of the Marlborough Historical Society January 30, 2013 www.HistoricMarlborough.org

3. Early Times (1660 – 1860s) Puritans settle in Marlborow “Time was Money ” Revolutionary War Types of Sports  

4. The First Sport Lacrosse

5. 1860 – Present Water Sports Snow Skiing Fish & Game Bicycling Bowling Running Boxing Wrestling Harness Racing Soccer Hockey Golf Basketball Football Baseball Marlborough High Olympic Torch Lacrosse Ralph Grasso & Louis Ghiloni

6. Water Sports Popular in the 1890s 1 st recorded race was June 1891 with 3 boats Raced around Lake Williams 5 times and the winning boat was “Electric” with a time of 1 hr., 15 min., 17 sec. Yacht Racing

7. Water Sports Ft. Meadow Ski Club Organized summer of 1954 by 9 boys Built a regulation “American Water Ski Assoc . ski jump in 1957 Sponsored “AWSA” official tournament Hosted the New England Open Championship Charles River expedition Became the largest club in the East Harry Belafonte water skied on Ft. Meadow in 1964 Water Skiing

8. Water Sports Purchased and built through the guidance of the “Recreation Dept.” and its new director “Louis Ghiloni” and dedicated in 1953 as the World War II Memorial Park Memorial Beach

9. Snow Skiing Late 1930s constructed a ski jump Jericho Ski Hill & Club

10. 1943/44 removed jump & constructed ski hill & tow JERICHO SKI HILL

11. Jericho Hill & Ski Club 1944 organized Ski Club 1950s - One of first in country to make snow 1980-81 - Purchased by City

12. Fish & Game Club Started in 1924 with a very modest beginning as “Marlboro Sportsmen’s Club” Formally chartered as “Fish & Game” on July 27, 1933 Purchased 28 acres on lower Elm Street Developed indoor & outdoor rifle & pistol ranges, archery course and trout pond, etc.

13. Ice Fishing Derby

14. Archery Practice

15. Marlboro Bicycle Club October 24, 1880 Bicycle Racing

16. July 18, 1891 – First known race sponsored by the Marlborough Rubber Co. 7 cyclists participated. Started in Marlborough, went through surrounding communities. Won by Cliff Wolcott. June 12, 1893 – Sponsored by Marlboro Rubber Company with the same route of the 1891 race but with 12 cyclists, and Cliff Wolcott won again. August 1990 – Stratus Computer 20 mile bicycle race (part of city’s 100 th Anniversary)

17. Bowling at Flynn’s Alleys - 1894 Bowling Alley opened in Monument Square –1899. Pastimes Alleys on Rawlins Avenue Became Allen’s Alleys in 1915. Bowling

18. Allen’s Alleys in Pastimes Building on Rawlins Ave. Bowling Leo Ballard set world record at Pastimes Over the years there were many different leagues

19. Bowling at Flynn’s Alleys/Six team league – March 6, 1896. Highland House Bowling Team sporting Haffenreffer shirts

20. Maple Lanes -164 Northboro Road During WWII there were no bowling leagues for 3-4 years. Ten pin bowling came when Maple Lanes opened . Maple Lanes destroyed by fire in 1989. Bowling

21. Richard Busa (Age 83) Amateur runner/Legendary trail runner Has run in over 70 Marathons, 61 Ultra Marathons. Ran the Vermont 100 at age 72. Raced in over 60 Snowshoe Races. Busa Bushwhack Trail Runs in 25 +/- races a year. Running

22. Richard Busa Won 7 Gold Medals in his age group in the U.S. National Snowshoe Association Race.

23. Alec D’Angelo 1900 – 1910 Old Marlboro Theatre - Newton St Local favorites Hookie Kane & Ed Stanton 1915-1928 Pastimes Hall Sponsored by the Marlboro Driving Club Local favorite Frankie D’Amico 1928-1935 Pastimes Hall – every other week Vic Lotti & Alec D’Angelo leading lightweights in N.E. Boxing

24. George C. Lizotte In 1908, he won the Boston Athletic Association Sparring Open. Boxing

25. Lyonhurst Many athletic events held at the Lyonhurst as well as dancing and roller skating.

26. Kappy Kapetanopoulos Professional wrestler in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. A total of 25 years. Fought Killer Kowalski and Haystack Calhoun. Also a body builder, winning the title of Mr. Florida. Wrestling

27. Henry “Moses” Dufur National Champion of Collar and Elbow wrestling. At age 17 defeated a 250 lb. wrestler Moved to the Hudson section of Marlborough 1863 moved to what is now Marlborough 1878 issued a challenge in a New York paper. 1880 battled John McMahan over 5 hours He fought 127 matches and lost but one! Collar & Elbow Wrestling

28. Harness Racing Dacey’s stables started in 1896 . Marlboro Trotting Park opened May 30, 1898 Development of Pari-Mutual Harness Racing Many Marlborough people associated with Harness Racing Bill Dacey with Dr. Eugene

29. Harness Racing John Hogan Hall of Fame Trainer & Driver   50+ year career as a professional Ranked among the top 100 drivers in the country 3 rd ranked in 1970 Won close to 4,700 races Won 6 driving titles One of Marlborough’s best horses Royal Joseph

30. Harness Racing Some of Marlborough’s Best Horses over the years Tom Kyle’s “Highland Piper” Fred & Ruth Condry’s “ Shadydale Judge” Carl Rowe’s “ Justanuf ” Jim Hogan’s “ Shadydale Feather” & “Claude Lybrook ” Ralph Seymour’s “Southern Boy” Dr. McGee’s “Newport Ali” Jim Hutch’s “Chief Canuck” Bill Dacey’s “Tommy Song”

31. Jack, driving Royal Joseph, at Hinsdale Raceway in 1973   Jack Hogan on the right with his father, Jim, and Little Piper.

32. Jack Hogan driving Southern Boy, owned by Ralph Seymour. At Jack’s left is Ralph, at his right, Bob Kane, and far right is Mike Krysa Rockingham Park in 1964

33. Started at age 6 High School All State team 2 years 4 Years at Hartwick College World Hockey player Olympic Games N.E . Revolution San Jose Earthquakes Kansas City Wizards N.E . Revolution Mike Burns Soccer

34. Hockey Marlborough High School Years Played for Univ . of New Hampshire 2010 signed with NHL’s Ottawa Senators 2012 Signed with NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Robert “Bobby” Butler

35. Michael Landers Was a talented 3 sport athlete at MHS Was a standout player and captain of the 1993/1994 squad when at West Point

36. Golf Marlborough Country Club Opened on June 3, 1922 with Francis Ouimet Exhibition match   Golf was played on New Year’s Day, 1944 Added second nine holes in 1970   Bob Hope and National Champion, blind golfer, Joe Lazaro played here Over the years has had many golfers & champions but one in particular stands out…

37. Golf Fay DeRuvo Won 28 “Women’s Club Championships” in 40 years. Won numerous state championships When she was 78 she shot her age! She was also an outstanding athlete in bowling and was State Archery Champion for 2 years. The new walking bridge on the 17 th hole at MCC was dedicated in her name this past November.

38. Marlborough Country Club Fairway View from the #4 Tee, looking east

39. Golf 1967 MHS Golf Team From 1965 to 1967 had 41 Wins and 1 Loss Won 1967 State Championship M H S M H S

40. One of the first PGA TOUR Senior Tournaments, held in 1981 1981 Tournament won by Bob Goalby Brought to Marlborough some of Golf’s All Time Greats Won by Arnold Palmer, the “King” of Golf in its 2 nd year, 1982! Golf

41. Arnold Palmer, 1982 winner & Mayor Ferrecchia Bob Goalby 1981 winner Bob Kane Sam Snead

42.   The “ Golden Era ” 1894-1940 “Hotbed of Semi-Pro Basketball ” 1894 Introduced to Marlborough by a YMCA instructor Team comprised of 8 players Part of a 7 team league Basketball   ”Was Once Leading Sport Here”

43. Basketball   YMCA League folded Same group form “Young Men’s Athletic Club” N.E . Professional League

44.   1899 - The YMCA ceased Replaced by the “BBA Team” Marlboro Basketball Assoc. Due to a lack of suitable halls, very little Basketball was played for 7-8 years except for “Williams & Ryan Team” of 1906

45.   1899 Games were played in the old City Hall until it burned down on Christmas Day, 1902, not that long after a game was played there!

46.   1910 - The Irish Americans (I.A.A.C.) organized   The I.A.A.C. folded Same group formed a new team called “ Williams & Ryan”   1915 – Chris Ghiloni organizes “TD’s” (Totally Different ) Opens season with Northboro A.A. winning 67-21 Broke up when World War I started Basketball

47.   1920 – Industrial League with 6 shoe factories formed played for about 4-5 years   1926 – “ Marlboro Bears” played until 1934 Rated as the top team of the day in New England Won New England Championship Beat Bunker Hill K of C in quintuplet over time 23 – 22 Top notch professional teams came to play them Basketball

48. Basketball   Early 1930s - Company K National Guard team Played against the best of them   St . Jean’s was playing about the same time Featured local stars   1934 – popular WPA league with 16 teams formed 2 classes, Class A & Class B Marlborough’s Navy Yard dominated the Class A loop The Navy Yard had local stars The younger Crusaders beat out Navy Yard for title in 1938

49. Basketball   World War II ended the WPA League & there was little basketball until after the war The Crusaders & the Bears were re-activated Played double-headers at St. Jean’s Hall City league operated with a six team circuit during war   1947-1957 Marlborough Boys Club organized a team with local stars that dominated play for several years Nucleus of group played for different teams such as the I.C. Senior CYO, Halon’s Jewelers, Ethier’s Motors & the Boys Club in city basketball league

50. Basketball 1960 Boys Club organizes team that won 30 straight games    Another top team was the “Central Auto Rebuilders ” 1962-1967 Central Auto Rebuilders, one of top Semi-Pro teams in MA   Former top high school players Played in Lowell Town League Played all the top teams in Boston & Worcester Played Boston Patriots w/Larry Eisenhower, Nick Buoniconti Top former high school players such as: Bill Miller, Pat Forrest   Central Auto was last semi-pro team in city   1968 – Present Mostly city leagues & tournaments at the Boys Club & High School

51. Football 1880s – 1940s Marlboro Redskins Marlboro Yellow Jackets Marlboro Trojans Marlboro Tigers Existed for 12 years Lost only 4 games Marlborough Tigers

52. Football Two Marlborough athletes were in the Pros 1942 - Leo Brennan played for the Philadelphia Eagles

53. Football 1960/61 Mike Long played for the very first Patriot’s team Mike Long being tackled by Goose Gonsoulin

54. The Shamrocks

55. Formed 1965 Won National Championship 6 times Won Eastern League Championship 19 times Won 7 East Regional Titles Seven members in National Hall of Fame 460 Wins – 98 Losses – 2 Ties Bob Kays

56. Baseball 1865-1870 – “Fairmount Baseball Club”

57. 1869 – Fairmount ranked 4 th in the country

58. 1870 Cincinnati “Red Stockings” Tour Statistics No text 1870 – Fairmount played Cincinnati “Red Stockings” June 10, 1870

59. Baseball 1878-1879 – The “Madden Brothers”

60. 1878-1879 – The Madden Brothers Organized in 1878 Nine brothers Played on Stevens Field and Prospect Park Played two years Toured country Played Chicago Cubs in 1880 – Lost 4-2

61. October 5, 1901 “The Game” between Marlboro Team along with the Carters of Franklin Against Boston Red Sox with Cy Young Last game of Boston’s 1901 postseason Played at Prospect Park The Score was 4 to 3 The Game

62. Duke Farrell Major League Catcher Played for 8 teams in 18 year career Home Run Champion – 1891 Won 1903 World Series w/Boston Americans Ranks 94 th on MLB All-Time Triples list Ranks 4 th on MLB All-Time Runners Thrown Out list Duke Farrell

63. Baseball Duke Farrell

64. Other Marlborough people who played in major leagues Harry Bemis (Cleveland Indians – 1902-1911) John Buckley (Washington – 1889) Jack Quinn (Philadelphia – 1911)

65. Baseball 1948 Ted Williams visits Marlborough 1912 - Tris Speaker and Smokey Joe Woods visit Marlborough Ted Williams

66. Ken Reynolds 1970-1972 Philadelphia Phillies 1973 - Milwaukee Brewers 1975 – St. Louis Cardinals 1976 – San Diego Padres Player/coach Toronto Blue Jays Coach for Chicago Cubs farm system

67. From the 1860s on, the High School has always been represented in the Athletic Field in both Football & Baseball! Marlborough High School

68. 1869 – Prospect Park 1898 – Trotting Park 1898 – New High School built Marlborough High School

69. 1900 – 1928 Basketball was played on & off 1900 – 1947 Hockey was played on & off 1906 – Traditional Thanksgiving Day Game w/Hudson started 1906 MHS Football Team

70. 1909 MHS Baseball Team 1907 - Baseball lost glory of equaling “World Record” 1909 – Baseball one of best in state

71. 1909 – Controversial Thanksgiving Day Game 1910 Hudson would not play Thanksgiving Day Game. Track added 1910 MHS Track Team

72. 1914 – Midland League started 1914 MHS Football Team

73. 1921 – Girls Field Hockey started 1924 – Ward Park built Artemus Ward Park

74. 1927 – Jr. High w/gym added

75. 1928 – Undefeated MHS Football Team

76. 1930 – Boys & Girls Basketball start 1939 – Ward Six (Kelleher Field) built 1941 – Tennis & Cross Country added MHS 1941 Football Team with All State standout player Armand Allaire

77. 1953 – Roy Norden becomes coach of football   Beginning of football’s “Golden Era” 6 Years 1 st year no wins, then went 36-6-1 ‘56, ’57, & ‘58 outscored its opponents 797 to 265 5 Midland League Championships 2 Consecutive State “Class C” Championships 1944 – Undefeated Football Team Outscored opposition 177-20 Average weight was 150 lbs. Midland League Champs State Champs   1949 Hockey/Golf/Girls Softball added

78. 1957 – 1 st Norden Undefeated Football Team 9-0 record/outscored teams 281-91 Midland League Champs State Champs City raised $8,000 & sent team to Miami 1958 – 2 nd Norden Undefeated Football Team 9-0 record/outscored teams 288-82 Midland League Champs State Champs City raised $4,000 and sent them to NYC 1958 – Rifle Team started Roy Norden

79. These four gentlemen captained an undefeated Marlboro High School football team. Paul Drummey - Raymond Richer - Walter Brennan – Libby Ginnetti

80. 1963 New High School on Union St. opens   1964 Undefeated Football Team 10-0 record Midland League Champs Class C State Champs   1966 Gymnastics & Tennis added   1967 Golf Team “State Champs” 41 wins & 1 loss in 3 years Football Team Midland League Champs   1969 – Soccer added 1970 – Dennis Zilembo scored 41 points in a single game 1972 – Wrestling added 1972 – Navin Rink Opens

81. 1973 Assabet Valley Reg. High School opens Girls Tennis & Track added   1976 Girls Volleyball added 1st girl  to receive 4 yr . college athletic scholarship for Field Hockey from Syracuse University - Mary Beth Russo  1977 New High School on Bolton St. opens Girls Hockey   1979 - Football Team wins Super Bowl   1985 – Girls Soccer Team State Champs   1986 Boys Soccer Team Midland League Champs & District Finalists 1987 Boys Soccer Midland League Champs & District E. Champs Girls Soccer Midland League Champs & District E. Champs

82. 1988 – Girls Soccer Team State Champs   1990 – Girls Basketball Midland League Champs “Eighth consecutive year ” Finalists in State Championship New Mid- Wachuset League 1991 – Girls Soccer Team State Champs   1995 – New England Sports Center opens   2003-4 – Girls Volleyball State Champs   2004-5 Girls Volleyball State Champs Boys Hockey State Champs   2008-9 – Cheerleaders State & National Champs   2011-12 – Girls Volleyball State Champs

83. The Olympic Torch travels through Marlborough 1984 and 1996 Los Angeles 1984

84. Ryan Kane In the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay Torch Bearer Ryan was one of several Community Hero Torch Bearers from Marlborough Ryan – Mark Bonin – Bill Fiske

85. Lacrosse 2003 – Youth Lacrosse started 2007 – Marlborough High School started 2013 – “Boston Rockhoppers” Playing at the N.E. Sports Center January – March Season Member of the North American Lacrosse League ?

86. Ralph Grasso And Louis Ghiloni Marlboro Enterprise & Hudson Sun Sports Editor Marlboro Youth Baseball Pony League founder Little League Baseball coach 1960-1975 JV & Varsity Basketball coach, MHS 1940s semi-pro Basketball team, “Halon’s Jewels” founder Central MA High School Basketball League referee Marlborough Football coach Boys Club Board of Directors, Past President, and director 1984-1994 Launched the Boys Club’s Youth Basketball Program Started the Boys Club’s annual winter Basketball Tournament Boys & Girls Club of America Medallion Award and Man & Boy Award Boys Club’s Alumni Assoc. President Boys & Girls Club Teen Center dedicated in his honor Shamrocks football team Gen. Manager Harness Racing Assoc. National & Regional Director U. S. Harness Writers Assoc. President MHS Athletic Hall of Fame    

87. Sports Marlborough

88. http:// www.HistoricMarlborough.org http:// www.facebook.com / MarlboroughHistoricalSociety @ MarlboroughHistory