Over the last 25 years, local history buff George Hines has been collecting pictures and other memorabilia to create a New Cumberland Area Museum at the old high school building. The pictures of every graduating class were already on the walls, but he wanted to add some photos, documents, and pieces of local history and former area businesses. His latest acquisition is one of his favorites, two complete Blue Raider basketball warm-up uniforms. The uniforms were only used for two years, the 1961 and 1962 seasons, because New Cumberland High School consolidated the next year with two other local schools to form Oak Glen.
George says that he was only 10 years old when the team wore these uniforms, but the bright, flashy colors reminded him of the Harlem Globetrotters. The satin warm-ups were located after the recent passing of former NCHS graduate Alan Pettit. When his children, Doug and Shannon, came into possession of the uniforms, they remembered their Dad telling them that the late Bob Manypenny had secured them for Alan. They were representative of the Blue Raider’s “glory days” and brought back great memories for those who had played on that team in 1961 and 1962.
Doug was heading back to San Diego and so Shannon took the warm-ups. While someone else may have put them away in a box of mementos, she knew who to call and where they belonged: George. She knew George would keep them safe and allow people to enjoy them for years to come.
Through several donations, the money was raised to have the uniforms dry-cleaned and have one set professionally framed in a large shadow box. The uniform is now on display at old New Cumberland High School which is open weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30.
Thanks, George!