The spirit of Norwood pride filled the Elks Hall tonight as the town gathered to honor the Norwood High School hockey team—fresh off their hard‑fought Bay State League championship. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., players, coaches, families, and devoted fans came together for a celebratory banquet recognizing a season defined by grit, teamwork, and hometown support.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of championship jackets and framed team photographs to the Blue Blades, a tribute to the boys who battled through a tight league race and emerged as true champions. The crowd was treated to remarks from four giants of the sports world: • Bobby Cleary, Harvard standout and 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medalist • “Butch” Songin, Boston Patriots quarterback and Boston College hockey All‑American • John “Snooks” Kelly, legendary Boston College hockey coach • Milt Schmidt, Hall‑of‑Fame Boston Bruin and current Bruins coach
The banquet also included the announcement of next year’s team captain, who will follow outgoing captain Jack Bayer, a steady leader throughout the season.
A hearty chicken pie dinner by Connolly Caterers was served, and the event was organized by a dedicated committee led by Pret Neilsen, with Tom Clifford, Ernie Higgins, Helen Neilsen, Bob Ivatts, Gary Maus, and Frank Wall, who served as master of ceremonies.
The Blue Blades’ championship run was one for the ages. Under head coach Don Wheeler, assisted by Rev. Dan Young and Jimmy Gormley, Norwood posted a 9‑2‑1 regular‑season record and entered the playoffs in a three‑way tie with Walpole and Needham. In the postseason, the boys went undefeated—defeating Walpole, Needham, and Wellesley—to claim the league crown by two full games.
Several players earned league honors: • Richy Hebner (sophomore forward) – First‑Team All‑Star • Richy Lovell (senior defenseman) – First‑Team All‑Star • Paul Angelo (junior forward) – Second‑Team All‑Star • Tim Twomey (defenseman) – Second‑Team All‑Star
Tonight’s banquet was nearly a sellout, with only a handful of tickets available at the door. All players and coaches were seated at the head table—a fitting tribute to a team that brought pride, excitement, and championship glory to the town of Norwood.
More Norwood Sports Stories
-
Norwood Youth Association Baseball Champions-This Day In Norwood History-October 7, 1939
The Norwood Press ball team will receive their jackets as champions of the N. Y. A. baseball league on Monday, the 16th. Jackets have been secured for the winners by the Norwood Loyal Order of Moose. Above, front row, left to right: Lou Parsons, p; Argo Bortilotti, lb; Ed Costello, 2b; Doc Thayer, ss; Ray…
-
Famous Athletes Trained and Tried In South Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-September 9, 1938
Famous Athletes Trained and Tried In South Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-September 9, 1938
-
Dixon Called To Chicago To Play In All-Star Game-This Day In Norwood History-August 5, 1938
Gets Close To A Million Votes In Tribune Poll Felix-Dixon, former star tackle for Boston University and popular swimming instructor at the Hawes Brook pool, has received official notice from Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune and director of the national poll for an all-star game, to entrain for Chicago on August 10th,…
-
Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record-This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923
New Englanders in the Big Leagues How many residents of Norwood realize that the town possesses in Martin F. Callaghan, of 97 Broadway, the joint holder of a world record in baseball? Marty Callaghan achieved the distinction Aug 25 last while playing for the Chicago Cubs in a game against the Phillies at Chicago. Marty…
-
First Year For Norwood Boys Basketball-This Day in Norwood History-March 24, 1905
Creditable Record Boys Basket Ball Team Makes a Good Showing As a rule, a first-year basketball team in a town, is rarely successful, either as a team or in a financial sense. Several first-year teams have started in nearby towns this past winter and met with dismal failure. The Norwood high school boys basketball team…
-
Foul Blow at Football Game Nearly Caused a Riot at Prospect Park-This Day In Norwood History-November 18, 1904
Crowd Went Wild Between 1500 and 2000 people, men, women and children, embracing all classes and including clergymen, gathered at the football game at Prospect Park last Saturday afternoon. It was probably the largest outdoor crowd that has been gotten together at a Norwood function since the Old Home Week celebration of about two years…
-
First Public Exhibition Game of Basketball Played in Norwood-This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1902
The first public exhibition of basketball given in Norwood was witnessed by a delighted audience in Village hall last Tuesday evening. A majority of the adults had probably never seen the game played before and were greatly interested in the lively sport. The games were by four teams in the town’s association, two from the…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.