Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 5, 2022 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – MC Blue Jackets 1965 State Champs By Peter Levine O n Oct 23, 2015, Malden Catholic (MC) welcomed nearly 40 players, coaches and cheerleaders from the 1965 football team to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their championship run. That year, the Blue Jackets, as they were called, achieved a Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com perfect record of 8-0, winning both the Catholic Conference Championship and the Class B State Championship – outscoring their opponents 200-62. On that memorable day Coach Ricupero was led on the fi eld by seniors Neil Hurley, Richie Cullen and Frank “Red” Harris. The Blue Jackets were the last undefeated state champion football team in Malden. Both Malden High School and MC have had many very good and successful football teams over the past six decades, but no other team has gone undefeated. This story came across my rolltop desk when Edgeworth’s (best and brightest) Billy (“Tecca”) and Bobby (“Bull”) O’Leary approached me about this amazing team. I had no knowledge of the ’65 team. They told me a bunch of the guys from the team met periodically at the A.O.H. on Charles Street and would love to share some stories. They brought me over. I was privileged to sit with these giants for a short while and listen (having the honor of already knowing Chick, Bunky, Commish and Dickie Cullen). I reached out for additional information. One of Malden’s most famous sons, Steve Wishoski, was an invaluable source when it came to putting this article together. New Malden may not recognize the name, but Steve Wishoski was instrumental in putting together “Malden 2022” as a former Director of the Malden Redevelopment Authority. Steve is in my Edgeworth Hall of Fame. So is his sister Diane and brother Walter, many of us youngsters having a crush on the lovely Diane and many of us being served our fi rst beer by Walter at Mike’s Cafe. The 1965 MC Blue Jackets ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS Desirable six room, two bedroom, trilevel in established Iron Works neighborhood. This home offers easy access from the ground level to a fireplace living room with hardwoods and an updated eat-in kitchen with tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Second level offers two bedrooms, one with an adjacent office, a full bath and spacious family room addition with vaulted ceiling. The freshly finished lower level offers plenty of potential with access to the one car garage. The roomy backyard is a gardeners dream with a raised terrace, koi pond and charming children’s playhouse. Offered at $585,000. 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com stepped up whenever the competition got tough, including big wins against St. John’s Prep and Revere. Revere, at the time, was a Class A team and unbeaten in their previous 17 contests. Many players from the ’65 team flourished after high school, going on to play football collegiately at big-name schools like Boston College, Harvard, Dartmouth, Boston University, Central Connecticut and Rutgers. Red Harris (Malden Catholic Hall of Fame [MCHOF], 1989) would go on to set several passing records at BC. He was then drafted by the NFL Detroit Lions and had a brief stint with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Along with Coach Ed Ricupero and Harris, fi ve other members of the 1965 team have been inducted in the MCHOF. They are Neil Hurley (1989), Richie Cullen (1990), Paul Richard (1992) and assistant coaches Paul Gover (1990) and Dennis Cullen (2002). The team itself was also inducted in 1991. Not too shabby! There were many talented athletes who contributed to the Blue Jackets’ success hailing from Malden, Medford and Everett. Here are but a few: 1. All-Scholastic selection Red Harris was the quarterback going on to a very successful career at BC and eventually into their Hall of Fame. 2. Rich Cullen, from Edgeworth, was the All-Scholastic center and team co-captain. Rich had a very successful football career at BU. He became a Malden educator and coached football and softball at MHS and football at MC. 3. Neil Hurley, a Green Street guy, was the running back and the other co-captain – also selected to the All-Scholastic team in 1965. Neil went on to a successful career at Harvard playing both football and baseball. Neil also played in the now famous 1969 game against Yale that ended in a 29-29 tie. 4. Tom Denehy, of Malden Street (Edgeworth), was the starting guard. Tommy became Malden’s Fire Commissioner and to this very day can still be seen walking his dog at Devir Park mumbling to himself about “the good old days.” 5. Bob Ciccarelli, also a Malden Street kid (Edgeworth), was the team’s tight end. 6. Paul Richards, who grew up in the Linden Projects, was the team’s wide receiver and defensive back – a superb athlete (football and baseball) at MC. 7. Bill Reagan, a resident of Medford (direct quote: “just over the Malden line so we accepted him as one of us”) was the other running back as well as defensive back. Described as an “incredible player” without whom the team would not have been so successful, Bill went on to play football at Rutgers. 8. Steve (Wishoski) was the other wide receiver and defensive back and a proud resident of Emerald Street (Edgeworth). As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 7
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