It’s Spring, in the heart of track and field season, and this week we spotlight the Bernards High (NJ) Track team—from 1942. The above photo shows the team with Coach Edward J. Black. Javelins, a discus, and a shot are on the ground in front. Several members signed the photo, including:
Back Row
George Wissell
Middle Row
Coach Black [Edward J. Black]
Bill Hockenbury [class of 1943]
Don Magee
Ed Knobloch [class of 1942]
Hal Smith [Halsey Smith]
Bob Zimmerman “Zip”
Atlas Mastrobattista [class of 1942]
Front Row
Bill Henry
Bill Walsh [class of 1943]
Joe Seguine [class of 1945]
Leonard Bockman [class of 1947]
Newspaper articles from 1942 show the team went 5-1 losing only to Somerville. Bill Hockenbury exceled in the mile; Don Magee, the shot; Hal Smith, the 100-yard and 220-yard dash; and Ed Knobloch, high jump and discus.
The photographer, identified on the back, was Harry B. Clay, Jr., a long-time photographer for Bernards High. This copy was in the collection of Harry M. Allen (class of 1945), later Bernards Township Police Chief, and was donated to THSSH by his family.
See catalog record: https://somersethills.catalogaccess.com/photos/789
I have my father’s year book with this picture. If someone requests, I’ll identify more of the members.
Hi Duncan, During research, we were unable to find a full yearbook for 1942, only the Bernardian. THSSH would love to have a photo of the track team picture with caption from the yearbook. Please send scan to research@thssh.org if possible. We’ll try to track down all the members.