BHS's first Bengal gridders--1904

There was little in the way of equipment. The boys supplied their shoes and pants and the school provided stockings and shirts. Shoulder pads? You could pack some newspaper and cloth together if you were so disposed. Nevertheless the Bengals won every game in 1904.

BHS's first marching band

In 1925 Bloomfield High formed its first marching band. “The spirit instilled in the football team by the band no doubt contributed to many victories in close games during the season,” said the BHS yearbook. Indeed, the band helped the team climax the season with a dazzling victory: Bloomfield, 45, Montclair zero.

Foley before it was Foley/Memorial Park

By 1922, Coach William Foley convinced the Bloomfield Board of Education to purchase a tract of land to build a new field just south of James Street between the defunct Morris Canal (now JFK Blvd) and the winding Third River. The $14,000 purchase price also included Oakes Mill Pond, which is now Memorial Park.

Our own Pat Carter--2nd from left--1949

Under the guidance of Miss Edith Russell, one of the greatest archery coaches of all time, Bloomfield High’s women’s archery team were national champions for 14 years running. Pictured here is BHS’s Pat Carter (second from left) mother of football coach Mike Carter and daughter of Johnny Gibson, former Olympian and 440-hurtle world-record holder.

Principal Jennings? You still look so young!

Back in the '30s the BHS cheer squad was considerably smaller than their present-day counter parts. And there's no way the guys hoisted these nearly-gowned gals over their heads like our super-athletic cheerleaders today. But they were thrilled to have a state-of-the-art stadium to strut their stuff--and luckier still to have a Principal Jennings look-alike (third from left). Notice how the then-treeless field perimeter offers clear sight to a string of North Spring Street homes where people often stood on roofs to watch the games.