Needham Sports

Famous Athletes | Olympics | Cricket | Football

Famous Athletes in Needham

Do you know that there used to be a Celtics basketball player living in Needham? Dave Cowens is a famous Celtics basketball player who used to live in Needham.

 

Famous Olympic Athletes in Needham

The Olympic players were on the 1936 team. They were Joseph L. Hasenfus, Walter C. Hasenfus, Olive Hasenfus, Robert B. Cutler, and Roger W. Cutler Jr.

Robbie Ftorek graduated from Needham Whig in 1970. In 1972 he played on the US Olympic hockey team. They won a silver medal. Robbie is a hockey legend in Needham. He went on to play and coach in the NHL.

Robbie Ftorek and the 1972 Olympic Hockey Team

Mary Mazzio was in the 1992 Olympics.

Cricket Capitol of the Country

In the late 1800 Needham was called the Cricket Capitol of the Country. English knitters who migrated to Needham work in the knitting mills brought this favorite sport with them. Cricket Field is named in honor of this sport.

Needham-Wellesley Football Rivalry

Every Thanksgiving, the Needham varsity football team plays the Wellesley varsity football team. This rivalry was established in 1882 when Needham accepted the challenge made by 15-year old Wellesley quarterback, Arthur Oldham. In 1882 football was like this: A touchdown was worth 5 points, a team had 3 downs to make 5 yards, a team could only run the ball, and there were no field goals or extra points. This rivalry has been played since when football players wore sweaters and didn't wear helmets to now when players have foam padding. As of 1982 (The 100th year of the rivalry), Needham had won 42 games and Wellesley had won 43 games. Five times the games have not been played because of various reasons.

The Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Day Football Game is the oldest high school football rivalry in the country.

Photo of team captains at 100th game

In this picture are Chris Muzzy, co-captain of the 1986 Wellesley High School Red Raiders, and Jim Gagne, co-captain of the 1986 Needham High School Rockets. They are standing at the Oldham Commemorative Boulder at Morton Field in Wellesley, the site of the first game.