Alan Greenwood

Funding for high school interscholastic athletics has long been a target for city budget hawks. They see sports as a budgetary frill, producing no tangible return.

It is usually futile to explain the varied benefits of athletics to those who don’t already understand them.

Back in the day, most schools had relatively few teams, mainly because girls athletics were all-but non-existent. And in Nashua, teams were funded with football gate receipts.

Apparently, the finance committee wanted to audit the annual audits conducted by the athletic committee.

JAN. 14, 1948: “Handling of high school athletic funds will be discussed by the Aldermanic finance and high school athletic committees.

“… The funds, which are not appropriated by the municipal government, but earned from proceeds largely stemming from high school football, are handled by the Board of Education’s subcommittee on athletics and pays the freight for all school sports now enjoyed.

“… Reportedly there has been growing sentiment, especially among finance committee members, that the athletic funds ought to clear through the city treasurer’s department.”

JAN. 15, 1963: “The Purple Lassies of Nashua High split in their two games with Woodbury High of Salem at the Salem court as the varsity eked out of 45-37 win while the Jayvees suffered a 20-4 setback.

“In the varsity game, Lynnda Brickey scored 15 points to pace the attack.”

JAN. 16, 1988: “It was Kris Collins Night at Milford AREA Senior High on Friday, and her friends were determined to do it up right. They baked a cake, bought balloons, hung giant posters and did everything they could to make it a special a special occasion.

“But there was only so much they could do. The rest was up to the guest of honor.

Collins needed 21 points to reach the 1,000-mark in career scoring.

“… ‘I wasn’t worried about scoring. I was worried about winning,’ said Collins, who finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the Spartans to a 50-42 decision over Merrimack.”

JAN. 17, 1993: “It was a long time coming. The Souhegan High School wrestling team posted its first varsity win of the season Saturday, beating Laconia 37-36, while falling to host ConVal, 42-22.

“… Souhegan got two wins each out of Jeremy George (160 pounds) and Ryan Trombi (130).”

JAN. 18, 2018: “The awards continue to pile in for Hollis Brookline junior Maddie Norris. After leading the Cavaliers to their third straight state Division I volleyball title – going a perfect 21-0 – Norris earned Division I Player of the Year and Nashua Telegraph Player of the Year.

This week, Norris, the outside hitter, was honored as New Hampshire’s Gatorade Player of the Year.”

JAN. 19, 1968: “Nashua’s Jerry Dupont, leading his Louisville University men’s basketball team to a 94-83 victory over Notre Dame, came up with an astounding total of 26 rebounds, boosting himself to the 10th leading rebounder in the country.”

JAN. 20, 1973: “Paced by the sharpshooting of freshman wonder John Gureckis, the Nashua High Purple Panthers registered win number 6 last night in their den by outclassing a tough Concord club,, 74-66.

“… An altercation in the latter stages of the third period involving Nashua backcourt ace John Dumais and Concord sharpshooter Harry Simpson results in a big loss to both clubs. Elbows flew freely, and the whistle-tooters ejected both. As a result both Nashua’s Maurice Facques and Concord’s Steve Bamford were surprised and upset at the drastic action taken by the officials.”

Contact Alan Greenwood at agreenwood@nashuatelegraph.com or 594-1245.