⚓ Welcome to Tidal Echoes

Series: “Youth Speaks Its Mind” (A republication of our hometown newspaper, The Suffolk County News, from 65 years ago)

Our history isn't just a timeline; it's a series of waves that shape who we are today. In this series, we revisit the bold voices of Sayville’s past. Today, we listen to David Pople as he recounts a startling instance of poor sportsmanship in high school football in 1962.

Originally published in The Suffolk County News on October 18th, 1962. Transcribed for the Sayville Alumni Association.

What Has Become of Football?

By David Pople, Sayville High School

What has become of football? In a recent game between two western Suffolk high schools, the home team evidently began to have some misgivings about the visitors' early lead, for they started resorting to blocking and tackling methods not considered proper for high school football — or for any football, for that matter. Two boys on the visiting team left the field in an ambulance as a result of the retaliatory measures.

Nevertheless, the visitors continued to hold their hosts scoreless. So, in order to bolster their team's spirit, a sizable group of home supporters went to their rivals' bleachers and interfered with the visitors' cheers. They also set afire their school colors which were made of paper shreds. A small girl was slightly burned because of this. The intruders finally had to be told to leave by a public address announcement.

The visitors won anyway. So to show that they had no hard feelings, (and touch happens to be a sense), a mob of home supporters went over en masse to congratulate the victors. One person was punched, kicked, and otherwise bullied for carrying the visiting colors. A girl was kicked, another's hair was pulled, and a third was hit on the head with a rock. A few minutes later a riot nearly started at the buses. The police had to be summoned to prevent anything more serious.

These friendly Saturday afternoon games certainly are fun, aren't they? This one, though, was blessed with that little bit extra. Namely, a near “rumble.” As Americans, we should be greatly alarmed. These same people who got so emotional over a game are someday going to be voting for a President. As always, it is hard to put the blame in any one place. But I believe much of it can be related to a lack of respect in the school and at home.

We will be told by a certain illustrious leader what an unfair game it was. However, this great man's past record seems to give the impression that we really should not put too much stock in what he happens to say.

Citizens, take your stand. If these people insist on acting like animals, maybe it would be proper to treat them as such. They just might decide to grow up. At any rate, a solution is needed, and it is up to us to sound off in order to get it.

⚓ Cast Your Thoughts

How do these words from 1962 land today? Reflecting on David Pople's insights:

• do you remember this specific game or the "near rumble" that david describes? what western suffolk rivals were known for this kind of intensity back then?
• david draws a line between sportsmanship and civic duty (voting for a president)—do you agree that the way we act at a game reflects our character as citizens?
• he calls for a "solution" to this behavior—looking back, do you feel school spirit in sayville became more positive or remained a heated rivalry in the years that followed?