The
HOWLER SepTember EDITION
29 SEP 2023
THEHOWLER@ALLENDALECOLUMBIA.ORG
More from B L U E w H I T E D Ay Bob Moore ARYANA SAEDI
ARYANA SAEDI
How does it work? Blue White Day is a school wide, long standing tradition that takes place every year during homecoming season. On the Friday before homecoming weekend, students across all grade levels come to school dressed in either blue or white, representing their team color. Students keep the same team color for the entirety of their time at AC. Older students are then paired with younger students of the same team. After enjoying a picnic lunch in the courtyard, students of all ages gather on the soccer fields, with their partners, to begin the games. Games consist of relay races, obstacle courses, etc. The games conclude with tug-of-war competitions between grade levels and faculty. The games aren’t over, though, until someone from the losing tug-of-war team gets pied in the face!
Mr. Moore taught and coached at Allendale School and then Allendale Columbia from 1968 to 1982. He left AC to work with the U.S. Postal Service from 1982 to 1990. He then came back to Allendale Columbia in 1990 as Athletic Director. He taught Physical Education in the Lower School and United States History in the Upper School. He coached Varsity Softball for 17 years. Mr. Moore retired in 2010, but served on the Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2018.
The History of Blue White Day: The Blue White Day tradition dates back to 1927, however, the games were played separately at both the Allendale School and the Columbia School. Columbia, the girl’s school, represented themselves with Red and Black, rather than Blue and White. The Columbia School, not having sports for many years, used this day as an opportunity to showcase their athletic skills. By the 40s, The Columbia School had already made the transition to Blue and White Day, while it would take Allendale another 30 some years to make the switch. Allendale, the boy’s school, took their competition more seriously with The Mohawk and Apache Cup. Instead of field games, they competed in actual sports, such as basketball. Competitors took pride in this day and every year an award was given out for the Mohawk and Apache Cup. After the Allendale Columbia Merger in 1972, Blue White Day and the Apache Cup remained separate. However, in 1976, Allendale Columbia began a united Blue White Day, which was the start of the tradition that we know today.
Tell us about the history of Blue White Day Blue/White Day was a Columbia School tradition on Goodman Street that began after Columbia School was founded in 1890! So it’s well over 100+ years old! In 1976, four years after the Allendale/Columbia merger, Blue White Day was resumed in its entirety! I know you didn’t ask this question, but two former Allendale Columbia Physical Education colleagues deserve to be recognized for all their contributions to organizing, developing and overseeing Blue White Day for over 30 years: Linda Hale and the late Mimi Hartney. They were the heart and soul of this important event! What’s your favorite Blue White Day game? My personal Blue White game/event was the “Tug-of-War”, as it capped off a wonderful experience for all involved in Blue White Day! More of Bob Moore continued on page 2