Dreams once soared within these walls. Union Hill High School served Union City students for over a century.
Imagine being a student here. It is the early 2000s. The air buzzes with anticipation for the annual Turkey Game. The rivalry with Emerson High School is legendary. For 88 years, these two schools battled on Thanksgiving. The winning school earned bragging rights and a half-day off.
The Union Hill Hillers and the Emerson Bulldogs clashed fiercely. The Turkey Game drew crowds of up to 15,000. The atmosphere was electric. An old greeting echoed through the stands. “Are we having hot turkey or cold turkey?” The loser figuratively ate “cold turkey.”
Union Hill’s history stretches back to 1886. It began as Town of Union High School. The first graduating class was in 1888. The school occupied space in the Union Hill town hall. A new building opened in 1914 for $400,000.
In 1925, Union Hill merged with West Hoboken. The school officially became Union Hill High School. Students north of Route 495 attended Union Hill. Those south attended Emerson. Boundaries shifted to balance enrollment.
Union Hill High School gained accreditation in 1928. Over 10,000 students graduated by 1961. By 2007, Union Hill and Emerson mirrored each other. They shared schedules, courses, and sports. Test scores and demographics were similar. Union Hill boasted a stronger arts program. Both offered career programs like childcare and fashion.
Union Hill’s athletic teams had their moments of glory. The boys’ basketball team won state championships in 1919, 1955, and 1956. The boys’ bowling team won the state championship in 1972. In football, Union Hill dominated Emerson from 1923 to 1927. In 1927, they won 19-0 before 12,000 fans.
Many notable figures walked these halls. Actor Bobby Cannavale and Senator Robert Menendez are alumni. Physicist Frederick Reines who won a Nobel Prize also studied here. Basketball players Harry Donovan and Togo Palazzi are also alumni. Cartoon animator Joe Oriolo who co-created Casper the Friendly Ghost attended Union Hill.
The rivalry with Emerson defined Union Hill. Superintendent Stanley M Sanger described it best. “It’s our Mason-Dixon line.” The rivalry fueled passion and tradition. Coaches guarded their game plans. Players practiced in secret locations. Students recruited from elementary and middle schools.
The Turkey Game trophy was a 50 lbs brass piece. It passed between the schools each year. Losing meant a long Thanksgiving dinner. One coach stopped answering the phone after losses due to endless criticism from family.
The final Turkey Game was November 22, 2007. Union Hill beat Emerson 20-8. The historical win record ended in a tie. Senator Robert Menendez attended the game.
In September 2009, Union Hill became a middle school. Union City High School opened. Union Hill’s legacy lives on in Union City High School. The Turkey Game trophy is displayed there.
Today, the building houses Union Hill Middle School. It educates seventh and eighth graders. The memories of Union Hill High School remain. The spirit of the Hillers continues to inspire.