How A Prep School Rivalry Became A Long Term Grudge
Rivalries aren’t limited to college football. They exist at all levels of sport and prep school football holds some long and storied rivalries in Exeter vs. Andover, Kent vs. Loomis for the spoon…Always fun are the how’s and why’s of how a particular rivalry began.
On Worcester Academy‘s WA Mash is the story how a rivalry became a grudge and ended scheduling between Worcester and Groton School (How Worcester Academy Broke From Groton in Sports).
According to the author, Frank Callahan, Worcester used to play Groton School with the game ball going home with victor.
It seems that in 1906 Endicott Peabody (Groton’s well known founder and head) failed to return the game ball to game winner Worcester for the ride home. The next year, Worcester dropped Groton from its schedule and the two schools haven’t played since.
This made the Boston Globe in 1907.
Amazing. How about we settle it with cage match?
Photo credit: Icky Pic
5 Responses to “How A Prep School Rivalry Became A Long Term Grudge”
Leave a Comment
What is Worcester Academy?
Frank, Worcester Academy is a boarding & day school in Worcester, MA. Hope this helps.
hey peter,
just wondering- do you believe that groton school still has a grudge against worcester academy?
No, I highly doubt it. From what I understand, aside from football (& baseball?), the teams compete in other sports, but given their differences in size (student population), it's probably not too likely that they'll meet on the football field.
This is a fun piece of history that the folks on the WA Mash unearthed. Always interesting to dig a bit to uncover the roots of old school rivalries.
Thanks for asking!
hey Brian-
do you believe that groton school still has a rivalry with worcester academy?