Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 2, 2024 The Rife Team: A Long Forgotten MHS Sport By Jay Silverstein MHSalum D uring the past decade and prior, we have read and witnessed countless tragic results across the country, with regard to the reckless use of firearms. Yet, there was a time when little thought was given to the possibility of such occurrences and subsequent heartbreak. It was a different time and a different place. For decades on end, Malden High School was noted, nationwide, for their very successful rifle teams. For those not old enough to remember, Malden High possessed a five-point rifle range located adjacent to room 402 on the 4th floor of the old building, the sole high school in New England for such a venue. Needless to say, it was a great advantage – enabling practices to be held several times a week, either in the afternoon or evening hours, while other high school teams had to trek to local armories. Awaiting their turns to improve their marksmanship 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! skills, long green tables provided a work space for completing homework, followed by pingpong that was played in an adjacent room by not only team members, but a large contingency of rifle club members, both male and female, at times reaching 75 in number. Although rifles, jackets, and ammo were provided, those with whom I speak are always amazed that I, a teen at the time, would periodically pack my own .22 caliber rifle in a case and board a bus in Suffolk Square, so as to attend practice on any given evening. Occasionally, when returning home, I might stop at Brigham’s in Malden Square for an ice cream; my firearm would be leaned against the booth in which I was seated before the arrival of my bus for my return. Today, I would immediately be surrounded by four police cruisers, cuffed, with a court hearing awaiting me, as state agencies would deem my parents unfit to raise a child. How times have changed. As I age, now 75, I tend to rewww.810bargrille.com flect on the past, as I assume many do. I recently decided to do some research on the history of the MHS rifle teams going back to its beginnings nearly a century ago. Although I found some information on the internet, more than 60 yearbooks would become my number one references, as I would tediously scan each for records, awards, and notations of individual achievement. Visits to the Malden Public Library would also be advantageous to my undertaking. I thank library staff for assisting. To the best of my knowledge, most of what I am about Malden High School boys and girls rifle teams with Coach Carl E. “Pop” Taylor circa 1937 to note is accurate, although I may be a bit off on some of the statistical data, as some yearbooks were minus detailed records. As a side note, I have refrained from presenting the individual names of those sharpshooters who were standouts on a yearly basis, concerned that I may, mistakenly, leave out many deserving such notoriety. In 1927, Carl E. “Pop” Taylor, a manual arts and mechanical drawing teacher, along with other faculty members, would organize an initial 60-member rifle club, its first meeting being held on November 17. Students were required to attend lectures and instruction on the correct handling of a rifle, sighting, aiming, positioning, breathing, and the trigger squeeze. Mr. Taylor would spearhead the program and become coach of its very first team in 1928; their initial defeat against Wentworth Institute by 15 points. Little did he know that MHS would soon become one of the most successful rifle club and team programs in Massachusetts and in all New England. Each year, safety would be stressed along with improving marksmanship skills. Soon after, matches against 31 teams representing 12 states would evolve, with MHS taking 5th-place ranking honors. In 1929, MHS sharpshooters would compete in the Sportsman Show, winning four silver cups in national interscholastic competition. Also, biweekly matches were held, competing with 70 high schools across the country. For novelty, a turkey shoot was held, with matches scheduled every other week. The winner would receive a home baked cake from Mrs. Taylor. In 1930, MHS was entered into the Service & Civilian Rifle Club League, the only high school represented, finishing third against very experienced marksmen and capturing a trophy. Now considered one of the top high school rifle teams in the country, they would compete against many military schools nationwide, coming away with a national championship in 1932. To list the yearly accolades of this program would be an impossible task for such a short article. Nonetheless, decade after decade would produce league championships along with national recognition for marksmanship, and too many undefeated seasons to note, competMHS | SEE PAGE 8
3 Publizr Home