1892
The first documented game
Rutgers’ earliest documented hockey game was a 4–2 victory over a picked team of Princeton players on Weston’s Mill Pond. Described at the time as a polo match on skates, the contest drew the university president and James Neilson. A return game was planned, but the ice thawed before it could be played.
The lineup was recorded using the positions of the day: Elting, rusher; Field and R. Conover, half-backs; Miller, drive; J. Hogan, cover-point; and Wycoff, goal.
Source: The Daily Targum, February 10, 1892.
1897
An early interscholastic opponent
As a nucleus of players began to form, Rutgers faced Lawrenceville Academy in the winter of 1897, falling 7–0. Research in The Daily Targum archives, including work contributed by Steven Greene ’79, helped recover this early chapter.
1920–21
An outdoor rink at Neilson Field
For the 1921 season, Rutgers secured a constructed outdoor rink at Neilson Field, the present-day site of the Rutgers College Gymnasium. A 30-player roster used the ice when weather permitted. Off-ice passing and shooting sessions took place in the upper gym on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
The historical account identifies Manager Sherman as the first named coach or manager. The eventual fate of the outdoor rink remains unclear in that account.
Source: The New York Times, December 12, 1920; The Daily Targum, January 11, 1921.
1925
A four-game season
Rutgers finished 2–1–1, defeating Drew University 7–0 and Rahway Hockey Club 4–0. A game against St. John’s of Brooklyn at the New York Coliseum ended 3–3, and Morristown handed Rutgers its only loss, 2–1.
1927–28
David Bender takes charge
Rutgers football line coach David T. Bender ’25 became head coach of the hockey team. Although he was not a skater himself, Bender brought the group together under its contemporary nickname, the Raritan Redmen. Most games were played on Weston’s Mill Pond, near the Raritan Canal.
1930–31
Organizing a team without reliable ice
Team meetings at the Zeta Psi house and Alumni House explored home-ice options, including Princeton and Haverford. Participants included Professor David Fales Jr., Phillip M. Brett Jr. ’32, Schuyler C. Terrill ’31 and Coach Bender. Flooding the College Field tennis courts was discussed, but maintenance and labor problems prevented the plan from moving forward.
Rutgers continued to seek ice at Weston’s Mill, with Plainfield Country Club offering its facilities when conditions were uncertain. The Daily Targum pressed the university to support a permanent rink and described hockey as an important winter sport on campus.
On the ice, Rutgers recorded wins over Drew, 6–0, and Rahway Hockey Club, 4–3. Newcomer Bill Stearns joined veterans including Johnny Kirkwood, Phil Brett, Jack Liddy, Skeets Terrill, Jim Dunn, Bill Sherwood, Bus Janin, Dick Gee and Len Snedeker.
Source: The Daily Targum, November 15, 1930; January 13, February 7 and February 10, 1931.
1931–32
A schedule across the region
The planned schedule included Villanova at Plainfield Country Club on February 21, Blair in Blairstown on February 25, St. John’s College at the New York Coliseum on February 28, and Villanova at the Atlantic City Auditorium on March 7. Without a permanent home rink, weather continued to determine how much hockey Rutgers could play.
1937
Students renew interest in the program
Tom Bandler and Howard Baldwin organized a meeting to revive the team during another warm winter. The response included experienced players such as Andy Kroes, who had played on a New York City all-star team; Baldwin, a former Columbia High School player; and Ralph Mendel, who had played with MIT’s freshman squad.
Other prospects included Jim Cortright, Gene Siegal, “Fuzzy” Darby, Ray Schrieber, Will Dorn, Ken Ashby, John Howe, Carl Schmidt and Martin Smirnow.
Source: The Daily Targum, December 8, 1937.
1940
The challenge of moving indoors
Former player “Doc” Baldwin took over as coach. An 18–0 loss to Princeton’s junior varsity at Baker Rink exposed the disadvantages of practicing on outdoor ice: Rutgers was unfamiliar with playing pucks off boards, while Princeton had spent months practicing in those conditions.
Source: The Daily Targum, February 10, 1940.
1951–59
Another revival and the search for a home
Lou Schropp placed a notice in The Targum seeking players. Paul Cleland, Brud Humphreys and Bob Stewart responded, and the club began scheduling games before it had practice ice. After three opening losses, the students obtained $400 from the Student Activities Board, arranged an 11-game schedule and practiced at the Orange Ice Palace. Rutgers defeated Lafayette 5–0 and 8–1, while losing close games to Lawrenceville Prep, 3–2 and 4–3.
Stewart served as president, Schropp as secretary-treasurer and Humphreys as manager. The 14-player roster included Bill Glassier, Walt Ousterman, Bob Stewart, Bill Shields, Bill Mattison, Carl Lanning, Ted Teagram, Lou Schropp, John Hunn, Ed Erickson, John Bates, Carl Cathers, Mal McVeigh and Brud Humphreys.
Physical education staff member Ralph L. Taylor ’43 also worked to sustain hockey during the decade. The team rented ice in Asbury Park at a rink converted from an outdoor swimming pool. Taylor proposed a university rink, but the plan did not materialize. A lack of local facilities contributed to the team’s dissolution in the late 1950s.
Source: The Daily Targum, February 20, 1951; program historical account.
