The Rifle Team: A Long Forgotten MHS Sport

By Jay Silverstein

MHS alum

During 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 skills, long green tables provided a work space for completing homework, followed by ping-pong 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 reflect 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 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 5^th-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, competing for National Postal and National Hearst championships, along with American Legion, Civilian League, and various local league honors, securing victories and awarded trophies for each.

A girls’ team would make its debut in 1936, taking top honors in many local matches and winning league championships, as well. Their success would continue until 1958, when two girls were chosen to participate on the boys’ team, due to their advanced marksmanship. In 1963, just one coed team would be formed, and many teams would be headed by female captains, some taking high scoring honors for the entire season.

Coach Taylor would leave the coaching ranks in 1964 after an amazing 37-year run. Many of Coach Taylor’s teams would go undefeated and win numerous league titles.

Mr. John Carroll, meteorology and earth science teacher, would succeed Mr. Taylor as coach. In his first year at the helm, Coach Carroll would lead the Golden Tornadoes to a record of 8-1 and another Middlesex League Championship competing against the high schools of Concord, Marlborough, Newton, Melrose, Watertown, Wayland, Acton, Bedford, and the always competitive team from Waltham, which defeated MHS in a three-point loss the following year of 1965. Although claiming second-place honors with an 8-1 record, they secured the highest average in the league at 907.

In 1966, an 11-1 record would be the result, losing to champion Waltham High School by a mere two points, while also defeating the Northeastern University freshman team twice in practice sessions.

During Mr. Carroll’s tenure as coach, MHS would secure several Middlesex League titles – with the 1967 squad proclaimed, “Malden High’s Team of the Year.” Coach Carroll would also schedule practice matches against rifle teams of Wentworth Institute, M.I.T., Boston College, and Northeastern University. MHS would more than hold their own against these schools of higher learning, defeating some in the process. Mr. Carroll would leave the coaching ranks with a record of 132-28, or a winning percentage of .820.

Due to the demolition of the old Malden High School building and rifle range, practices would be moved to a local armory. Although the rifle program would continue with some successful seasons under new coach Ray Coombs in 1982 and 1983, the rifle program came to an end in the late 1980s, the direct result of a dwindling lack of interest, along with the absence of a convenient practice venue – an incredible run of nearly 75 years in a sport long forgotten.

“Nipper 9 at 3 o’clock,” bellowed Coach Carroll, as he scoped each round fired.

Those who are in the know, will remember!