70-Year-Old Clippings of Fair Lawn's Original 'Cutters' Emerge
A series of old newspaper clippings and photographs provided by Glen Van Olden, the nephew of "Cutters" namesake Jack Van Olden, document the team's inaugural season.
Photos
Pdfs
This October marks the 70th anniversary of the fateful day a half-dozen Fair Lawn High School football players were punished for skipping class to catch a double billing of Holy Matrimony and the 7th Victim at Paterson's Rivoli Theater.
Their return to the field in the second half of a game against Leonia that Fair Lawn came from behind to win inspired the school's nickname.
Glen Van Olden, the nephew of one of those original "Cutters," provided some photographs and clips from the Paterson Evening News detailing the team's inaugural season in 1943.
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Jack O'Neil
3:08 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Although I greaduated rom FLHS in 1946, the 1947 items bring back pleasant memories. I did not play football, I remember Butch Kraus, Jack Van Olden, Marty Fishbein, etc. Glen fortunately had the foresight to preserve elements of the Cutter histor. I did not know how the Cutters got their name until today.
Daniel Evers
11:23 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
you spelled graduated wrong Jack you should go back
Glen Van Olden
12:31 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
My research of News-clippings (Paterson Morning Call & Evening News) in the Paterson Library clearly indicates that October 1, 2013 would be the 70th anniversary of the famous sneak trip to the Rivoli Theater eventually leading to the Cutters namesake in 1944. I cross referenced my dad's (brother of Jack Van Olden) memory of a rainy day in early October, the news Clippings, the movies playing and their times and I contacted a meteorologist I know to give me the weather conditions for October & November 1943.
The only day that matches all parameters (weather, football schedules & results, news items, dad’s & the late Butch Krause’s memory) is October 1st, 1943
The Movies, starting at 12:40 p.m. at the Rivoli Theater were Holy Matrimony & The 7th Victim. And history was made - Let us all celebrate 70 years this October 1st!
Hans Gruber
12:31 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
great story glen. and your punctuation sucks dan
Me
5:28 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
How's Nakatomi going?
Glen Van Olden
12:31 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Research of News-clippings (Paterson Morning Call & Evening News) in the Paterson Library clearly indicates that October 1, 2013 would be the 70th anniversary of the famous sneak "cut" trip to the Rivoli Theater eventually leading to the Cutters namesake in 1944 after a student body vote. I cross referenced my dad's memory (brother of Jack Van Olden) of the rainy day in early October, the news clippings, the movies playing and their times and I contacted a meteorologist to give me the weather conditions for October & November 1943.
The only day that matches all parameters (weather, football schedules & results, news items, and dad’s, Jack's & Butch Krause’s memory) is October 1st, 1943
The Movies, starting at 12:40 p.m. at the Rivoli Theater were Holy Matrimony & The 7th Victim. And history was made!
Me
5:28 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
That's cool Glen! Thanks!
Jenne
12:31 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
And here I thought the nickname had something to do with mowing.
Glen Van Olden
1:40 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I do have the news clippings from all nine 1943 games where they went 4-1-1 in Varsity games and 2-1 in J.V. play. I also have some clippings from 1944 where they were now named the "Cutters" in print.
Glen Van Olden
7:54 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
The "lawn mowing" did have something to do with the name of the town. With many large lots and several mansions owned by Paterson silk & dye company owners these properties were manicured with nice landscaping, unlike most properties at the turn or the Century. Those asking directions for stops along the trolly & train rails were told to "Stop at the fair lawns" then head west to Paterson.