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Let's look at some Homecoming activities of the past...
Homecoming week, which happened earlier this month, centered around the Friday night Football game (N-Ville 63/Canton 0) followed by the Homecoming dance & social gatherings, with spirit week functions leading up to it. Let’s take a look at past homecoming activities …
1895 – Football was mentioned in the Northville Record even back in the late 1800s. In one of the first gridiron contests publicized in our local paper, it spoke about the game and the dance that followed. Many of the last names of our early players are on our street signs today.
1916 – Pep rallies were held in front of the old high school on Main Street for the entire community to join in. For the first time, the athletic boosters presented the football team with BOLD ORANGE Northville sweaters, featuring the black block “N.”
1919 – Early Northville football teams were part of the “Four Square Football League” that later transitioned to the “Suburban League,” which included Northville, Farmington, Wayne, Plymouth, Redford, and Dearborn. The entire town would travel to cheer on the TEAM.
1927 – During this centennial year, the Record commented on the most distinctive Orange & Black jerseys ever worn on the gridiron that debuted this year, which were solid orange with wild sleeves striped in black and white. And we thought wild uniforms were only for the NFL!
1948 – High School Football games after WWII were played under the lights at our very own Ford Field (from the mid-1940’s to the early 1960’s). The Northville Record spoke about a gala celebration planned that year for homecoming, set up by student council who sponsored the dance at the High School gym. All former alumni were encouraged to attend.
1954 – The Record said, “Northville’s homecoming was a decided success, which concluded in a win over Brighton.” Before the game (like normal), there was a parade with floats flowing through downtown with the band following, capped off by huge pep rallies & general activities ending with a dance. Following the parade, all Northville youth gathered at the Community Center for games and activities. After the game, the Community Center transitioned from youth activities to hosting the Community homecoming dance.
1960 – The Record posted a picture of their 5-star quarterback Steve Juday. The caption stated, “Not only did Steve kiss the queen at half time ceremonies, but in fact, he apparently enjoyed the first kiss so much that he continued on to kiss ALL in the court. This prompted a rousing standing ovation from the Ford Field crowd.” And surprise - he married one of them (his high school sweetheart - Linda Deal).
1961-62 – Northville’s famous undefeated season! Detroit papers wrote about this talented group of athletes that won all their regular seasons: Football, Basketball & Baseball games. Many went on to play at the next level. “One of the finest groups of athletes ever assembled from Northville” (Detroit News) which included Steve Juday, who went on to be MSU’s All-American quarterback. Community engagement was high because both Northville & Novi students attended Northville High till the late 60’s.
1988 – Northville Record & Novi News decided to formally recognize this traditional gridiron clash between Novi & Northville by sponsoring the traveling “Baseline Jug” as part of School Homecoming activities. Last week Novi hosted & unfortunately defeated the ranked Stang’s.
A quote from the Record close to 100 years ago is still pertinent today: “If we can teach them to tackle life with football enthusiasm and fair play… this athletic activity shall have served its noblest purpose.” Northville student athletes representing not only themselves, but their school, families and community have won multiple State championships since last year (including Girls Tennis, Boys Rowing, Golf, Men’s Cross Country and Volleyball, among others) & the Athletic Department received Michigan’s MLive’s top award … that being the #1 Student/Athlete high school program in the state.
Stay #NORTHVILLESTRONG!
Keep that Orange & Black Northville Faith!
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