News & Events 2005-2006

Peddie Day 2005: A Tie for the Cup
 
Blair finished Peddie Day 2005 with a tie for the Cup and a football win for Blair (23-20). Jim Stone, Blair’s athletic director and head football coach, noted, “Blair athletes played with great heart on Saturday with their injured classmate, Kurt Socha, on their minds. The Bucs earned a tie for the 2005 Kelley-Potter Cup with victories in boys’ cross country, varsity tennis, JV tennis, varsity field hockey, JV field hockey and an emotional win in varsity football. Blair will keep the Cup for the first half of the year.”
 
As Peddie’s Web site notes, “Blair now holds a 50-47-5 edge in the series dating back to 1903. The win also created a 6-6 tie for the Potter-Kelley Cup. Initiated in 1988, Peddie commands an 11-4 advantage in the series. There have been three ties.” (Read a full account at http://www.peddie.org/life/athletics/detail.asp?newsid=211960.)
 
In tribute to football player Kurt Socha ’06, who later died on November 15 from his injury in an October 29 game against The Hill School, the No. 50 was etched in each end zone, and Blair players and fans wore No. 50. Peddie banners and posters hung in hopes for Kurt’s recovery. In a pre-game ceremony on the 50-yard line, Peddie Headmaster John F. Green set the tone for the day with his message. “We’re playing this game today because we believe Kurt Socha and his family would want us to do so,” said Green. Both teams, joined by two honored guests – Kurt’s brothers, Matt and Ray Socha, wearing white jerseys with blue 50’s – formed a circle in the center of the field. As a coin was tossed to start the game, Blair Headmaster Chan Hardwick said, “On no playing field in this country will there be such a bond between our two schools and our two teams.”
 
Green added, “Kurt’s brothers today represent the Sochas’ desire to see Blair and Peddie move forward with the same spirit. For over 100 years Blair and Peddie have always been friendly rivals. Today we are simply friends. We know all of us here today will remember this day for the rest of our lives.”

Click on images to view larger. To view photos from all team competitions, please go to the Athletics section of the Web site.

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