Rye-Harrison Game Exhibit 2019
Our next Rye Story is a behind-the-scenes look at the historic Rye-Harrison rivalry, researched and written by three Rye Historical Society interns, Lili Waters (Rye High School), Phoebe Streeter (Harrison High School) and Freddie Clarke (Rye High School #9). These students curated a pop-up exhibit at the Rye-Harrison game on Saturday, displaying items from our collection connected to past match-ups, from game balls to cheerleader scrapbooks. In addition to mining the Rye Historical Society collection, Freddie, Lili and Phoebe researched various legends and traditions and shared their knowledge with fans on Saturday. We are now sharing that writing with all of you!
Working with our local students was a highlight of my fall, and helped me find my own avenue to becoming a football fan - history and community. Our students did this work outside of their regular school work and extracurricular activities. They brought enthusiasm and creativity to this work and we appreciate the time they spent to make this exhibit, the first of its kind for us, a success. Freddie was in the middle of his final football season as a Garnet, and while he could not help us at the booth, he did an amazing job kicking field goals and securing a Garnets victory. Phoebe, Lili and Freddie, congratulations on a job well done.
– Alison Cupp Relyea, Director of Education
Through the Eyes of the Husky: A History of Harrison Traditions and the Rye-Harrison Game
By Phoebe Streeter, Harrison High School
In 1929, the football teams of Harrison High School and Rye High School faced off for the first time. Harrison won, with a score of 13 to Rye’s 7. The heated rivalry this game began could hardly have been expected, yet ninety years later, the tradition of the infamous Rye-Harrison Game lives on. There are not many details chronicling the early days of this rivalry or explaining how it got so intense. But whatever its origins, by 1933, it was already cutthroat. So whether or not the players and spectators of the original game in 1929 knew what they were starting, the Rye-Harrison Game has become a big part of the culture of these two neighboring Westchester towns.
Many traditions have been borne of this rivalry. It has become a vital part of Husky culture. The spirit begins to rise in late-September as gametime gets close. Girls on the cheerleading and majorette teams are each assigned a football player. In the weeks leading up to the Game, they each create posters in the Husky colors (maroon and white) for their player. They also create two yarn dolls to go along with their poster; one is made of the maroon and white yarn for Harrison, the other is made of Rye’s black and red. The week before the game is called Spirit Week. The posters are hung, and the excitement heightens. Each day is themed; for example, pajama day or school spirit day. The Friday before the game is Pep Rally. The cheerleaders, majorettes, and color guard perform their pep rally routines. The football players are introduced, wearing their jerseys with their yarn dolls on their belt.
That night, a bonfire is created in the lower fields of the school. Everyone treks down, and the football players bring their yarn dolls. The dolls made of the red and black Garnet colors are tossed into the flames, and everyone watches them burn. The band plays and people cheer. Everyone hopes for a win against Rye.
The Garnet vs. Husky culture has spread beyond football. Girls’ sports teams in Harrison have a tradition called Psych Sisters, in which each girl is secretly assigned a teammate who they surprise throughout the day with anonymous posters and presents. It occurs on the day of the team’s match against Rye, and it’s not unusual to have a class interrupted by someone delivering a gift from a Psych sister.
Having grown up in Harrison, I know what it is to have Husky Pride. It is impossible to live here and not get caught up in the sense of community and excitement that surrounds the Rye-Harrison Game. We are all Huskies through and through. But where did this Husky come from? Our canine mascot was the result of a 1937 vote among the Harrison students. It won out over other ideas like the “Maroon Marauders”. Previously, Harrison and Rye had both been known only by their colors; maroon and white, and red and black respectively. Harrison was one of the first high schools to choose a mascot, and perhaps this is what spurred Rye to become the Garnets soon after. (For all the Husky fans out there, we can be proud to know that ours came first.)
On October 12th, 2019, Rye and Harrison will meet again in what is a ninety-year tradition. It’s time to put on our maroon and white, cross our fingers for the win, and join in the cheer because, as the cheerleaders say, “You and I got Husky Pride!
What’s in a Mascot?
by Lili Waters, Rye High School
Many “psychics” believe garnets give people the power to harness their inner strength. While I doubt this is true, if I mentioned the long list of reasons against this theory, psychics could point to the Rye Garnets as evidence of the stone’s power. However, naming a school mascot after a “healing crystal” was probably not the idea the school had in the 1930’s when the garnet became the school mascot. So how did the gem become the instantly recognizable school mascot it is today?
Throughout the town’s history, Rye High School has been represented by the color red, but RHS didn’t have a mascot until their future rival, Harrison High School, adopted the Husky. To figure out why Rye is red, and consequently represented by a garnet, one has to simply look down at the rock you are standing on. All over Rye, the bedrock is bejeweled with garnets. This is the case with the school too, where a plethora was found during construction. Many are still underneath the student’s feet. The red in the garnets was splashed on the football uniform and later the shape of a garnet itself was added to match Harrison’s Husky.
There is still one mystery to solve: The striking similarity between the Rye Garnet’s “G” and the University of Georgia’s “G”. Georgia’s logo was designed in 1963 by a backfield coach’s wife and was quickly adopted and printed on helmets. It had an accidental similarity to the Green Bay Packers, as both logos were based on the style of the time. Like other American high schools, Rye’s logo paid tribute to the Packers, who were quite popular in the late fifties. Now the three teams are easily mistakable, although they will never play each other.
Rye High School’s mascot and logo are now fondly recognized by proud students, alumni and supporters. The school explains the garnet’s meaning perfectly in an old document, “A garnet represents concrete characteristics that make them highly desirable and valuable. Let your inner light shine through to lead the team to victory! Be proud! Be a Garnet!”
In reality, a mascot means little; it is the spirit of the school’s students and supporters that gives a mascot meaning and makes it as beloved as the Garnet is in Rye.
Rye vs. Harrison : A Game Of Tradition
By Freddie Clarke, Rye High School #9
If you were to ask somebody in either town to summarize the Rye-Harrison football game in one word, there’s a good chance they’d say “tradition”. Many aspects of the game have remained the same for decades in both communities. In Rye, various traditions are carried out, both on game day and during the week before. The most famous Rye tradition comes only after a Garnet victory. The entire team and various coaches, including Rye Garnets superfan Luke Walsh, jump into the Blind Brook close to the bridge leading to Nugent Stadium. As a large crowd gathers on the banks, the players celebrate in the cold water, chanting and splashing. Senior lineman Grant Howard says “After beating Harrison last year, we were all sweaty and tired and there is nothing like jumping into the brook with the rest of the team to celebrate the win. It’s crazy to think of all of the teams that have gone in and out of the brook as we did last year and I hope to do so again this year”.
For the players, the traditions begin on the Monday of Harrison week. The practice is usually started in the film room, with Coach Dino Garr showing a video of a speech he finds particularly important. Other than that, the practice itself is the same as for any other opponent. The goal remains the same as every other week: win. After practice on Monday, it is time for the signature Mohawk haircuts. All linemen must have their haircut, and many other members of the team choose to do so as well. The Mohawks have been a tradition for decades in Rye, dating back to the mid 20th century. Regarding the tradition, Class of 2020 defensive tackle Paul Montagna says “getting a Mohawk represents how much garnet football values tradition year after year and is something I will miss next year.” Typically, a normal afterschool practice occurs on
Friday. This is then followed by a meal at the Rye Firehouse prepared by the firemen. After dinner, it is time for the pep rally, one of the highlights of the Rye-Harrison week. The cheerleaders perform various dances and cheers, including chanting the names of each team member. Senior lineman Chris Urban called the pep rally a “wonderful tradition”, particularly enjoying the bonfire and overall school spirit. The school spirit is evident throughout the school week, with students decorating the hallways and wearing themed clothing. Each day, the students dress up in themed outfits, such as Hawaiian shirts and pajamas. Each grade is allocated a hallway and decorates it as they wish. Past themes have included Hollywood, jungle, and the Olympics. To add some competition to the fun, faculty members vote on the best hallway and a prize is given out to the winning class.
The game itself for Rye is full of tradition, such as the father-son breakfast in the morning, the Chris Mello Scholarship ceremony and half-time performances by the bands and cheerleaders. Overall, the game is a special time during which the two towns can come together and celebrate. What is particularly special is that it is not just the 22 players on the field who participate, but rather everyone who takes part during the entire week and exemplifies what the game is all about.
The Rye - Harrison Game: A Brief History
Overall record: Rye 45, Harrison 42, 3 ties
First meeting: 1929, Harrison 13-7
Last meeting: 2018, Rye 34-28
Did You Know…
Today is the 91st meeting of the Garnets and Huskies
2004 was the only year the game was not played since 1936 due to Harrison moving up to Class A athletics and Rye remaining in Class B
Rye’s two 33-game win streaks in the 1950s were both ended by Harrison
Between 1934 and 1936, the game was not played after fights broke out following Rye’s first win in 1933
-“The Game” has been played twice in four years: 2002, 2003, 2015 and 2018.
The Scrapbook of Barbara Johnson
By Phoebe Streeter, Harrison High School
The book was large and dusty. Its covers were blue, and it was bound by faded ribbon. It had a sort of musty old smell, a scent that reminded me of my great-grandma’s house. Inside, it was filled to bursting with thousands of mementos of a high school cheerleader. This was the scrapbook of Barabara Johnson. She had been a cheerleader at Rye High School, and she had saved almost everything from her four year career as such. It was amazing to flip through the pages and get a glimpse of what high school was like during the 1950’s.
Her scrapbook was particularly helpful with regards to learning about the history of the Rye-Harrison Game. Ms. Johnson had saved the game programs of every single football game she cheered at. Next to them in her book, she wrote the score of the game, and described them in detail. These descriptions include the weather, who was cheering and playing that day, and what they did before, during, and after the game. These little paragraphs gave some interesting insight into Rye traditions regarding the Rye-Harrison Game. For example, it described a walk around the village that the cheerleaders did after the game.
Her collection didn’t stop at game programs. She saved newspaper clippings about the Rye Garnets, pieces of fabric from banners, itineraries from the pep rallies, and much more. In the end of the book, she expanded her collection beyond sports related things, and included dried corsage flowers, invitations, ribbons, tickets, and programs from events such as her graduation and prom. It was fascinating to read, touch, and see everything, knowing the value that they held in the life of a young girl over sixty years ago. Her scrapbook was so detailed; filled with her small, loopy writing and mementos of events that, though inconsequential in the long run, were monumental to her. Reading what she wrote, and touching what she had held all those years ago made it feel like we had met her.
Ms. Johnson was a high school cheerleader who loved what she did. She was someone who wanted to remember, and she painstakingly preserved much of the little mementos from her high school years. Little did she know that decades later, in 2019, three high schoolers would be flipping through her book, getting a fascinating glimpse of life in the fifties.