A Thanksgiving Rivalry - For the Ages!

It officially began in 1929 making the East Providence - LaSalle Thanksgiving Day football rivalry the oldest in Rhode Island. Although the two schools started turkey day play in 1927 (EP won 6-0), there was no game in 1928 and the league “started” in 1929 with a LaSalle 19-6 win. The 2011 EP-LaSalle game at Pierce Stadium will mark the 83rd consecutive year that the Townies will take on the Rams of LaSalle. If you talk to graduates from either school you invariably hear a similar comment - throw away all statistics Thanksgiving Day. For this is Red Sox-Yankees or Celtics-Lakers or Providence College - U.R.I. To many football players and alumni, especially at EPHS, the season isn’t a success without a victory on Thanksgiving.

During this storied 82 year history several ‘underdog’ teams on either side have pulled off the upset win. Unlike many of the other high school Thanksgiving Day rivalries in Rhode Island, the EP-LaSalle game often has direct impact on the state championship playoff system. For some it doesn’t affect their league standings, but for these two powerhouses, Thanksgiving can make or break the season. It usually means the possibility of playing three tough games within an 8 or 9 day window with the interscholastic playoff schedule.

This year is another banner year for both football teams. Going into the Thanksgiving Game, LaSalle and East Providence are both headed for the playoffs. LaSalle is a favorite of many observers to win it all this year while EP has struggled at times to maintain its’ winning record. LaSalle has dominated the series in recent years with wins in ’04 and ’05 and from ’07 through 2010. LaSalle now leads the series - overall - with 45 wins to the Townies 35 wins with two 0-0 ties. The series has often seen changing momentum swings. From 1929 through 1940 the series pretty much went back and forth between schools. LaSalle dominated the series from 1941 through 1948, winning a state title in 1942. A little back and forth again and then the Townies won from 1960 through 1967 and then again in ’69 and ’70 and ’72 and ’73. EP won state titles in ’66, ’67 and ’69 and ’70. LaSalle took over and won the 1974, ’75 and ’76 games while EP bounced back to win from 1977 through 1980 and then again from 1982 through 1984. It was an eight year run next for LaSalle as they beat EP from 1985 through 1992. LaSalle spanked EP in 1992 by a 50-6 score but EP returned the favor somewhat with a 41-6 victory the next year. And on it went, win one, lose one, until LaSalle regained dominance in the series with wins from 2007 through last year.

East Providence Co-Captain John Johnson is a 1967 graduate. He remembers his senior Thanksgiving game with great fondness. “We won 57-7 and won the state championship that year,” said an animated Johnson in a recent interview. EP also won the state title in 1966. “A lot of us would hang out at Kelly’s Burgers (Burger King today) on Friday nights across from the high school and talk football,” Johnson recalled. Most high schools played football games on Saturday mornings years ago. “We liked to think that we hated LaSalle,” continued Johnson, “but actually I felt lots of respect on both sides of the line.” Since graduation, Johnson and many other Townies and Ram fans meet annually at Bovi’s Tavern early on Thanksgiving morning to meet briefly before going off to the big game. Bovi’s long time owner, John Bovi, is a LaSalle graduate but has operated his successful tavern for decades at an area called ‘six corners’ in East Providence. Bovi and scores of LaSalle and Townie fans will be there once again this year.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League has changed the format for high school football through the years. After 1971 the league instituted a playoff system. Even though LaSalle leads EP in the Thanksgiving rivalry, both teams are deadlocked with 15 state championships each. By contrast, another powerful rival - Bishop Hendricken - has won 7 Division 1 titles. This year could break that tie as LaSalle is a favorite to win it all but East Providence has a decent chance of going all the way with a talented team itself. “Throw out all the statistics,” said ’61 graduate Charles “Chuck” Hassell. Hassell has been a ‘voice of the Townies’ as he and other volunteers have broadcast Townie football games on cable TV for many years. “I take my Thanksgiving day football very seriously. Based on the final score is how my turkey will taste later in the day,” Hassell half-joked. “I’ll always remember 2008 when LaSalle was much bigger and a heavy favorite to win,” he recalled. “The smaller, outmatched Townies won 12-8 in a driving rainstorm. The turkey tasted good that year,” Hassell said. “There are too many memories to mention from way back, but I know I’ll be there early this year,” Hassel said.

Former LaSalle left halfback, Bud Cronin is 83 years old today. Cronin was a star running back for the Rams from 1943-45. He has vivid memories of this rivalry. “We were good my senior year. We won the state championship and went on to play in a national championship game in New Orleans. We were number one in the country.” Bud Cronin’s father was the legendary LaSalle icon, Jack Cronin. The senior Cronin played for Boston College and the former Steamrollers pro football team. Cronin, Sr. was at LaSalle from 1931 to 1975. “I remember East Providence so well. They were a tough team to get by. We were bigger but we were always told by our coaches that the EP game would be very tough.” remembers the younger Cronin. “East Providence was well coached with Lou Farber. Always good defensively,” he added. “1945 was an extremely frigid game. We switched to sneakers from cleats and didn’t score until late in the game,” said Cronin. Cronin would score the first and what would be the winning touchdown that year in a 13-0 LaSalle win. “It’s nice to be remembered at 83 years old,” said Cronin. “Happy Thanksgiving to all.”

Most young people today are only familiar with the Townies and Rams playing at Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence. However, the series used to alternate between Pierce and Cronin Field behind LaSalle High School on Smith Street in Providence. At some point in the 1980’s, LaSalle’s stands were condemned for public use and LaSalle would use other Providence fields for Thanksgiving such as Brown Stadium or City or Conley Stadium behind Mt. Pleasant High. LaSalle then thought it less expensive to rent out Pierce from the city of East Providence for their “home” games. Pierce is owned and managed by the city and not the school department. LaSalle liked the arrangement so much that they have used Pierce exclusively for their home Thanksgiving games. This didn’t upset EP fans that have become used to playing in their home Pierce Field every year. This arrangement may not end soon, as even though LaSalle has constructed a new football field with synthetic ‘field turf’, they will not have enough seating to host the thousands who attend every Thanksgiving.

Pierce Memorial Stadium was built under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal agency of the Federal Government during the 1930’s. Completed in November of 1939, the stadium cost $300,000. The field bears the name of one of East Providence's most prominent residents, W.B. Pierce who had bequeathed a trust fund to the town specifically for recreational use. On November 30, 1939 Pierce Memorial Stadium opened to the public in time for the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game between East Providence and La Salle Academy. The Townies won, 10 to 0.

A major reason that Pierce Stadium is considered one of the finest facilities in New England is the dedication of Joseph Medeiros, Pierce Athletic Complex Manager. Since about 1990, Medeiros has kept the grass and entire complex in tip-top shape. Medeiros has seen it all at Pierce - football, soccer, baseball, tennis, concerts, fireworks, etc. “My best Thanksgiving memory has to be the 2003 game with Jamie Silva of EP and Liam Coen of LaSalle,” said Medeiros. “Coen was a great quarterback and had LaSalle way ahead in the game. But the Townies Jaime Silva (now a pro football player) led EP back from a near loss to a 28-27 overtime win. It was a perfect storm - two great players, two undefeated teams, both meeting head-on,” Medeiros recalled vividly. East Providence went on to win the championship that year.

Many East Providence residents wear two hats in this match-up between these football powers. Edward Cronin (no relation to LaSalle’s Coach Cronin) grew up in EP and attended LaSalle Academy. After college, Cronin became a teacher at EPHS. Cronin was a winning EP coach and became Director of Guidance. For many years, it was Cronin who would wear red and white and host the annual EP-LaSalle Thanksgiving rally in the school’s gym. Cronin was a very spirited Townie “cheerleader” during his 30 years at EPHS. He is now an administrator at LaSalle - back at his alma mater. “Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because that day is all about family, friends, and being grateful,” said Cronin on this rivalry. “For me, the football game is an annual event, but more importantly, Thanksgiving Day is about relationships that have been established over many years. I'm able to connect with classmates from La Salle and graduates from EPHS from my 30 years at the high school. Now, I'm also reconnecting with parents who graduated from EPHS and their children who attend La Salle. I'm thankful for those relationships. It is that simple for me because it is a day of remembering, interacting with people, and having fun.” finished Cronin. Cronin’s wife, Mary-Ellen graduated from Smithfield High School and the couple’s two children graduated from East Providence. “We all support Townie Pride!”

Another long time fan of this rivalry is 83 year old Charlie Hogan of Cranston. He is a 1946 graduate of LaSalle and avid fan. “No, I didn’t play but I went to all the games and will never forget the 1945 year for LaSalle. I remember some of the EP players like Gid Spence and Jackie Sullivan - EP had lots of talent. We beat EP in a tough game in which we didn’t score until the 4th quarter. Our quarterback, Don Panciera, was maybe the best high school QB ever and played the position in the pros,” Hogan went on. “I remember both coaches, Cronin for us and Lou Farber for EP. They were friends and two of the best ever. I am a bit disappointed that LaSalle no longer has a marching band, though. The two bands on the field added so much in those days,” Hogan continued.

Maybe the most recognizable figure at East Providence football games is former head coach and EP Athletic Director, William “Bill” Stringfellow. “I’ve only missed one game in 72 years,” said the iconic Townie football legend. Stringfellow started coaching at EPHS in the fifties and was head coach from 1970 to 1989. “In the early days of this rivalry, not many schools wanted to play LaSalle. We agreed to play them regularly and Jack Cronin said he would always play EP and he respected us,” recalled Stringfellow. Bill’s wife, Sheila, established a tradition of baking pies for Townie football players during Thanksgiving week. On the Wednesday before the big game, former Townie players and some current, would visit the Stringfellow home and enjoy pie and talk football and family. The Stringfellow tradition continues today with former players from decades ago, still stopping by to pay a visit and have a piece of Thanksgiving pie.

Current Townie head coach, Sandy Gorham, himself a Townie icon, is the EP coach with the most state titles in school history. “I know our season is judged by Thanksgiving Day. We can go undefeated but to our fans, a loss to LaSalle means our season was a failure,” said Gorham. “This years’ game could be a great one. LaSalle is an excellent team and they are favored. We have won some sloppy games, but we have some great talent and we won’t back away. We’ll give it our best,” promised Gorham. Gorham played on championship Townie teams in the early seventies.

Make no mistake - the rivalry is intense for many. No game comes close to the attendance numbers that Thanksgiving Day can generate. On a good weather turkey day, close to 8,000 or more fans can attend. East Providence usually will slightly outdraw the LaSalle fans, even when the games were held at various Providence venues during LaSalle’s home years. But LaSalle also has a sizeable fan base. Occasionally there have been tense moments at some games. As the final seconds elapsed in 1972, fans rushed the field at Pierce Stadium by the hundreds shoving and pushing each other. Players, coaches and fans were involved and police had to restore order. A hockey game between the schools for the next night was postponed for several days until tempers cooled down. There were a few other years when more minor skirmishes threatened but for the most part, the series has not seen any trouble for a long time. It may be that for some time, the football captains and coaches from both schools meet at a pre-Thanksgiving day dinner and show each other mutual respect and talk football. “Not me,” said an EP player from the sixties who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity. “I respect LaSalle a lot, I love the history of the series, but I won’t break bread at the same table! I want to win and on the field is where I want to do it. Do the Red Sox and Yankees share dinner before a big game?” And so it goes, over 80 years of the longest and most competitive football rivalry in the state continues. How will your turkey taste after the game?

(Thanksgiving football tickets will be available at EPHS and Martin and Riverside middle schools during Thanksgiving week. Pricing pre-game will be $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Game day pricing will be $5.00 for everyone at the gate. Avoid the game day lines and buy early!)