Dear Editor:
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon with the sun reflecting the trees covered with red and orange leaves. A great day to play high school football. Two perennial powerhouse teams Hoboken High School and North Bergen were warming up on the field. The anticipation of watching these two great teams play quality football was about to begin. As an alumna of Hoboken High School I sat in the stands reminiscing of the days when I was part of a wonderful tradition. Growing up in Hoboken, Hoboken High School was the school to attend and support. The day was electrifying before a game, as hundreds of screaming fans would huddle in small groups, the smell of great cooking food outside. The thunderous chanting for your team could be heard all around, as the marching band made its entrance into the stadium. If one were in a bad mood, they would soon forget what was troublesome, with the stadium, spirit and atmosphere all around.
On Saturday, I watched the North Bergen High School Band play their traditional fight songs and their cheerleaders pump up the crowd of parents, teachers and administrators. I also observed their Mayor and Athletic director among the cheering fans.
Unfortunately, Hoboken does not have anything near this atmosphere. As I sat there on the Hoboken side I witnessed a handful of students, parents and teachers, no athletic director, no principal or any elected official, no high school band and no cheerleaders. I could not understand the lack of school spirit and support for a football program that has brought a tremendous amount of recognition to Hoboken. Back to Back State Championships, 10 consecutive appearances in the state play-offs and a number of other athletic honors. There is no excuse for the lack of support from the administration. These are paid positions and this is part of your job. If you can accept that paycheck then you should be bound to perform the duties that you are being compensated for. Remember that you are an example for every student. Teacher’s conventions should not stop the high school band and director nor should it stop the cheerleaders and their advisor from showing up and performing at their high school football games. Show support for a team of 26 who played on Saturday against a team of 66. They took the pounding and played without two of their best players. This dedication and perseverance rendered them victorious.
I hope the determination they displayed on the field, will enlighten the administration of Hoboken High School and maybe bring it back to the days when everyone knew the words to the fight song and cheered their team to victory.
L.R. Hoboken High School Alumna
Class of ’67