The LHS athlete for the month of Mardi was Jack Sweeney a graduate student of the Rollins School. Jack has really made a name for himself on the track team. He has become Coach Ernie Perry’s prize performer. Perry was the teacher/coach of the track team and lived on Andover St. in So. Lawrence, the track at the Lawrence stadium is named in his honor and one other of his prized pupils, Greg Kent who gave his life for our country. Greg lived in the Beacon Projects in his high school days.
Sweeney was unbeaten in duel meets in the 300 yard run he had turned a time of 35.2 seconds in this event. He was also the leadoff man in the relays and usually got the Lancer boys off to a flying start. The coach has asked to participate in the high jump knowing his player can handle this new task.
Jack played jv and varsity football and his speed and all around athletic ability made him a valuable asset to the blue & white eleven. His grammar school sport days and the Boys Club teams got him ready for his future in LHS activities.
He started at the YMCA as a 2nd grader and still belongs to the Lawrence St. group.
Jack is also an excellent swimmer along with his track and gridiron talent.
A crowning achievement for this talented player was his being elected as his class president.
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Are high school athletes conceited?
This poll was held at LHS in 1955.
Do they expect special treatment and privileges? Are they different than other high school students?
The following answers are provided by coaches and players of the era.
Ed Doherty, a football coach: “What is considered as conceit is usually self-confidence.”
Former hoop star and later hoop coach from So. Lawrence East, Jack Barry: “Athletes just don’t know everyone who reads their name or seen their picture in the paper.”
Aime Reming, a captain and pitcher for the Lancer baseball team who lives in Andover now a day says: “Don’t think that because an athlete doesn’t speak to you he’s concerted; he could be thinking of his next big game.”
Bobby (Lefty) Lefebvre, a 3-sport star and Reming’s battery mate says: “Very few are conceited, those with enough sense aren’t. It’s the show-offs that fill the concerted bill.”
Lefty is this year’s baseball captain and wouldn’t he loved to watch his granddaughter perform for Methuen these days. Ironically, Kat is a catcher and so was Pe Pe.
Dom Mazocco, a tough guard in football: “I don’t know any concerted athletes; I doubt that there are very many gifted athletes that are that way.”
Dom and family still live in the beach area. He’s a retiree these days and still meets with his former teammates frequently.
Rosemary Smith, a cheerleader: “No, I don’t think that athletes in high school are any different from other pupils or conceited just because they play sports.”
Barbara Stowell: “My viewpoint on this subject is why should they be?”
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LHS Hit Parade 1955
- Crazy Otto; 2. KoKoMo; 3. Elephant Tango; 4. Melody of Love; 5. Earth Agel; 6. How important can it be?; 7. Sincerely; 8. Pledging my love; 9. It may sound silly; and 10. Tweedlee Dee.
LHS Hit Parade 1923
Midnight Rose; When will the sun shine for me? And the little Ford rambled right along; You little son of a gun; Do it again; That blond mama; It’s nobody’s business but my own.
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The yearbook dance will be held tonight, March 25th in the gym. Tickets to attend are a whopping 40 cents.
This was in LHS Happenings in 1955.
