When the Celtics Came to Town ...Twice
The very first basketball game played in the Conval High gym was on October 12, 1970 when the Boston Celtics came for a pre-season intrasquad exhibition. It proved to be a highly successful pep club fundraiser for spectator buses to away games. What is often forgotten, however, is that the 1970 visit repeated an historic event that occurred on October 5, 1956 when the Celtics also played the very first basketball game in the "new" Peterborough High (now PES) gymnasium. It was a beautiful facility for its day, but it had no bleachers. So, as in 1970, the 1956 visit by the Celtics was a fundraiser to purchase bleachers.
The Celtics, led by Coach Red Auerbach, came to town thanks to the efforts of PHS Coach Dick Dart. Tickets were $1.50 and $1 for students.
Most of the team arrived that Friday afternoon. The Peterborough Transcript reported,
“Some local boys were eating at the Diner before the game when several of the giants entered. Not realizing the low bridge, one of them got quite a wham on the head, much to the amusement of the Diner crowd... When the doors were opened at 6:30, the crowd paralleled that of Filene’s basement on bargain day. By 7 p.m. there was nary a seat to be had.”
Even with just folding chairs along the sidelines and on the stage, total attendance was nearly 800.
The intrasquad game pitting Celtics veterans versus rookies started late because star player Bob Cousy and several others didn’t arrive to the gym in time. Once underway, Coach Auerbach stopped the game every few minutes to correct mistakes. Afterwards, it was reported that "the dressing room door was crowded with hundreds of autograph hunters, and the team was held up for about a half hour signing autographs for their admirers.”
But not all spectators were pleased with the exhibition. In a letter to the newspaper later that month, Coach Dart noted that he had “heard many unfavorable comments on the exhibition which they [Celtics] put on.” Apparently there were no referees, which, according to Coach Dart, Celtics owner and president Walter Brown said was a “misunderstanding between him, Coach Auerbach and myself.” He said Brown apologized and said anyone who felt they didn’t get their money’s worth could get tickets to a future Celtics game as his guest. No one knows if anyone took up owner Brown’s offer.
Players present were Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Arnie Rosen, Togo Palazzi, Tom Heinsohn, Johnny Silk, Jack Nichols, Jim Luscotoff, Buzzy Wilkinson, Vic Molevit and Mickey Martell. Not present was a rookie named Bill Russell.
Little did the hometown crowd know from a humble, routine scrimmage that the 1956-57 Celtics would finish the regular season 44-28 and became NBA champs, defeating the St. Louis Hawks, four games to three.
As for the fundraiser, after expenses (including $500 to the Celtics) the event netted $244.79 toward the purchase of bleachers.
Players included Don Chaney, Dave Cowens, Henry “Hank” Finkel, John Havlicek, Steve Kuberski, Rex Morgan, Don Nelson, Satch Sanders, Garfield Smith, Jo Jo White and Art Williams. Pictured at right are: Dave Cowens (18), Steve Kuberski (11), Doń Chaney (12) Art Williams (7)
The 1970-71 Celtics, under Coach Tommy Heinsohn, wound up not as successful as their 1956-57 counterparts. The Green finished 44-38, third in the Atlantic division, and missed the playoffs. But not for long, because many of the players on that team helped Boston to world championships in 1974 and 1976.
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