OT: Last reunion of any kind you attended

[yessir321]

That's the way my class was/is.
Luckily I played three sports and had a lot of friends across the board.
The class behind mine was really tight and they all seemed to like each other.
Some classes are just like that.
One thing I noticed was that the classes that really liked each other had good football teams when they were seniors.

Ironically our football team was fantastic. Made it to districts, went like 10-2 and won the league.

I stopped paying attention after graduation, but a buddy forwarded me an article a couple years ago that my high school’s football team had finally finished above .500 for the first time since I graduated in 2007.

Funny enough my best friends from high school were also in different classes, a few of them in the class ahead of me, and a few in the class below. 1 or 2 in my own class that I still interact with

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

I'm a fellow Raritan grad but over 20 yrs later. What was the school like back then? It always seemed to me from the banners that the school peaked in the 60s & 70s, at least athetically. I don't think we won any conference titles in my years.
Many of our popular students knicknamed themselves the "elite". That turned me off to going to any reunions.

First off, it was a Group 4 school and when both my sons played and went there it was only a Group 2 school. Original home buyers would have mortgage burning parties as so many bought into Hazlet at the same time. As they moved and new owners came in, enrollment dropped big time. Great town I felt growing up in and it was more of a baseball school with limited success in football. School was lily white no doubt, but the few students of color were treated as just part of the student body.As HYAL got bigger and more established soccer and wrestling become state powers and during both my sons years at RHS, the early 2000's, the school won multiple Shore Conference and State Championships in Baseball,football, soccer and wrestling. It's a lot tougher for public schools nowadays because the Parochial and Privates can reach out and grab the best surrounding towns have to offer. When I played they weren't allowed to play in those tournaments, they separate brackets amongst themselves. I believe it was SJV that petitioned The Shore Conference that athletic budgets were killing them because of traveling to other privates and parochial schools. SC relented and opened Pandora's Box.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

Oddly enough, I've been to every HS reunion since our 5th (ever 5 years), including our 40th this past fall (was delayed 2 years). I say oddly because I rarely see any of my friends from HS (Wash Twp in Gloucester County), since I moved up to this area to go to RU in 1980, but for some reason I find the reunions to be fascinating, perhaps because most of the people who were kind of dicks in HS don't go to the reunions, which are run by a few of the very active girls from HS who were pretty cool (not snotty). We generally get about 80-90 from a class of 400, which is a pretty high % from talking to friends from other schools. Also, since the 20th, I've been DJ-ing the reunions, since it saves the class a decent chunk of change that we put towards good food and drinks and folks obviously seem to like what I play (the dance floor is pretty full for the last 2 hours of the night).

I also go to the Melody Bar Reunions every year (now twice a year) and they've been going on since 2007 and are a blast. I have much closer friends that go to those than the HS reunions, including several who we've been close to since the mid/late 80s. And I get a group of RU Chem E's from the mid/late 80s together about once a year. I guess I like reunions, lol. Or old friends, since our poker group has been playing poker once a month for close to 40 years without missing more than a handful of games (twice a month now - once in person and once on-line, since one of our guys created a fantastic on-line poker game during COVID).

You described exactly our HS reunion. 80 out of a class that started with 431 Freshman year and finished with I believe around 385. Several of the popular girls ran the Reunion and were just great students and classmates. A great mix of athletes and general students and many school marching band members which had 120 members at it's peak year of 1973.That band was invited and marched in The St. Patty's Day Parade every year we were in school. Of course having green uniforms didn't hurt,lol. I really feel bad for those who don't have fond memories from HS. I know both my sons also experienced great HS times and before I downsized and moved they would both throw unofficial reunion parties at our house and it never lacked attendance. I would collect the car keys and lock them up until the next day.

 

[CollegeSenior]

Sorry you feel that way, had a blast

My cousin was in your class and at the reunion. Karen Q

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

My cousin was in your class and at the reunion. Karen Q

Oh wow, yes, she is the best. She still looks amazing, one of the hotties still able to turn heads,lol. Made sure to get a dance with her even though I'm a horrible dancer. We have gotten together at a impromtude reunion at The Sand Box in the Highlands last summer. and are planning on getting another there soon. Her Dad was a very good pitcher in our Men's Fast Pitch Softball leagues. Joe was also a key figure in cracking the Son Of Sam case. He opened a couple of Dunkin Donuts locations as I'm sure you know.

 

[75liteweight]

Went to my 5th back in '79. Haven't been to one or even invited to one since. Found out I'm listed as missing, which is strange since (1) my sister still lives in the house we grew up in and (2) Hall of Fame committee found me at my current address a couple of years ago. Guess no one wants to see me lol.

 

[alexandriaru]

Went to my Rutgers College 50th last fall. The University did a nice job with dinners and events. By happenstance met up with 3 other guys from my freshman dorm, Hegeman 6, (back then Hegeman was divided into six houses). Sign of how times have changed: I got into a conversation with a gentleman who was attending his five year reunion and who had no idea that Rutgers had been all male! (Class of 72 was last four year all male class).

 

[bigmatt718]

Went to my Rutgers College 50th last fall. The University did a nice job with dinners and events. By happenstance met up with 3 other guys from my freshman dorm, Hegeman 6, (back then Hegeman was divided into six houses). Sign of how times have changed: I got into a conversation with a gentleman who was attending his five year reunion and who had no idea that Rutgers had been all male! (Class of 72 was last four year all male class).

I would do a college reunion in a heartbeat. 2024 will be 15 years since graduating from RU.

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

40th HS reunion back in 2019.

So weird to say that

 

[Scarlet1984]

Oh wow, yes, she is the best. She still looks amazing, one of the hotties still able to turn heads,lol. Made sure to get a dance with her even though I'm a horrible dancer. We have gotten together at a impromtude reunion at The Sand Box in the Highlands last summer. and are planning on getting another there soon. Her Dad was a very good pitcher in our Men's Fast Pitch Softball leagues. Joe was also a key figure in cracking the Son Of Sam case. He opened a couple of Dunkin Donuts locations as I'm sure you know.

Small world. I know the family well.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

A good friend of mine who is about 10 years older, his Dad was in the oil business and with ARAMCO. He grew up in the late 50’s into about the 70’s in Saudi Arabia. Met his wife there and then came here for college and real life. The stories they have as rich , privileged white kids in SA in the 69’s is priceless.
But most of the families ended up back here and he and his counterparts “Children of ARAMCO” get together every 5 years in some part of the world. But he also always had a Superbowl party for a 3-5 day weekend every year stating In the mid 90’s when I met him.
And these friends, about 30 of them, show up every year and are a blast. They have all accepted me in as family but wish I had the same kid of kindship as they do.

Great story

 

[ScarletNYC]

Wow, this board is old lol

 

[RU Golfer]

Never been to one.....Graduated in 85

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Never understood the attraction. I went to HS 'cause I had to. I don't have to go back, and I'm certainly not volunteering.

Kinda depressing, imo.

Now, a multi-day dorm floor reunion at RU, I could have gotten into. At least for a 10 year.

 

[e5fdny]

Wow, this board is old lol

I feel otherwise as some of you are a lot younger than I thought.

To add…never understood the attraction of a 5 or 10yr event. Too soon IMO.

My 20th never happened as the guy in charge (who I have known since 1st grade) of it got engaged that year and ended up planning his wedding instead.

We had a 21st which was run by the girls in charge of everything back then (like some of you have already mentioned) and did a great job. I had a great time…funny story, my Wife didn’t want to go as we were HS rivals and her crowd didn’t like our crowd. But I DID go to hers and had fun…beach party with a band and a pig roast at the old Donavan’s Reef in Sea Bright. And it turns out her crowd still harbored something against those from my HS 25 yrs later. LOL

I guess there was others but haven’t been to the 25th, 30th or 35th. Maybe I’ll go the 40th (next year) if they have one.

 

[newell138]

Just had a reunion of sorts with about 10 of my old RU friends as one of them was turning 60 and retiring. We had it in Belmar where we all used to rent a house together every summer Most of us have stayed in touch and see each other frequently but a few of them I had not seen in 30 years but it felt like no time had passed at all. Lots of laughs and just a great night

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

Never understood the attraction. I went to HS 'cause I had to. I don't have to go back, and I'm certainly not volunteering.

Kinda depressing, imo.

Now, a multi-day dorm floor reunion at RU, I could have gotten into. At least for a 10 year.

Depressing? Seeing people you spent 4 years with, who thought it important enough to travel as far away as Cali, FL, SC, Georgia is depressing? I never went till my 45th and of course this 50th. To be honest, there was a time I felt the way you do now, but as word spread each year on who passed and knowing this might be our last chance to sit, talk, eat and drink together, I looked forward to it. The fact you'd go to a college reunion but not a HS reunion I think says a lot about the HS experience you had.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

Just had a reunion of sorts with about 10 of my old RU friends as one of them was turning 60 and retiring. We had it in Belmar where we all used to rent a house together every summer Most of us have stayed in touch and see each other frequently but a few of them I had not seen in 30 years but it felt like no time had passed at all. Lots of laughs and just a great night

Exactly how this was, nice to hear you enjoyed it.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

I feel otherwise as some of you are a lot younger than I thought.

To add…never understood the attraction of a 5 or 10 yr event. Too soon IMO.

My 20th never happened as the guy in charge (who I have known since 1st grade) of it got engaged that year and ended up planning his wedding instead.

We had a 21st which was run by the girls in charge of everything back then (like some of you have already mentioned) and did a great job. I had a great time…funny story, my Wife didn’t want to go as we were HS rivals and her crowd didn’t like our crowd. But I DID go to hers and had fun…beach party with a band and a pig roast at the old Donavan’s Reef in Sea Bright. And it turns out her crowd still harbored something against those from my HS 25 yrs later. LOL

I guess there was others but haven’t been to the 25th, 30th or 35th. Maybe I’ll go the 40th (next year) if they have one.

Too funny about that riviary still harboring ill feelings, lol. My wife went to Middletown HS before the split and hasn't gone to either of mine stating she didn't want me spending 1/2 the night introducing her. Only advice she gave me was Uber if I drink too much, and we'll get the car the next day,lol.

 

[e5fdny]

Too funny about that rivalry still harboring ill feelings, lol. My wife went to Middletown HS before the split and hasn't gone to either of mine stating she didn't want me spending 1/2 the night introducing her. Only advice she gave me was Uber if I drink too much, and we'll get the car the next day,lol.

RBC (me) vs. SJV (her).

SJV girls did NOT like RBC girls back then, apparently. Had no idea. (I did but didn’t care - lol)

I would have ended up at Middletown South if I went public.

My friend who I have known since 1st grade, went to HS with, Rutgers and still sit with at Football joined me too that night without his wife as well.

He drove since he doesn’t drink. We showed up in his minivan, just the two of us. As we’re walking towards the venue I jokingly asked how much would it cost it we announced our “coming out” and our “partnership” to our HS class.

It was big parking lot and a long walk to the front door. He didn’t say a word. Thinking I shocked him or touched a nerve I asked if I went too far or if he didn’t like the joke. He paused and with a straight face said…”I’m trying to come up with a price.” We laughed hysterically as we came inside and were still laughing as we started to meet people. It was a great night.

 

[RUtix4me]

We had a few until our class President was murdered by one of her own children. The one after was a flop

 

[Scarlet Craig]

50th Anniversary of Rutgers Ultimate (also, The Birthplace of College Ultimate Frisbee) last November.

 

[e5fdny]

Went to my Rutgers College 50th last fall. The University did a nice job with dinners and events. By happenstance met up with 3 other guys from my freshman dorm, Hegeman 6, (back then Hegeman was divided into six houses). Sign of how times have changed: I got into a conversation with a gentleman who was attending his five year reunion and who had no idea that Rutgers had been all male! (Class of 72 was last four year all male class).

50th Anniversary of Rutgers Ultimate (also, The Birthplace of College Ultimate Frisbee) last November.

Are they still giving out the straw boaters and ties when you become a member of the Old Guard?

 

[rc64]

May 5+6. RU fraternity reunion. Classes of 1958 through 1973. It was our first reunion since 1999. Our house, at 4 Mine Street has been a sorority house for decades. The girls let us in. We checked out the basement where we had a bar and had parties. Looks like a large laundry room now. In November of 1963 we had a beach party in the basement and had a truck pour sand thru the windows on the left. On May 6, 2023, I looked and found a bit of sand on the floor next to the wall!

 

[Scarlet Craig]

Are they still giving out the straw boaters and ties when you become a member of the Old Guard?

No but i could buy a shirt.

 

[Scarlet1984]

Just had a reunion of sorts with about 10 of my old RU friends as one of them was turning 60 and retiring. We had it in Belmar where we all used to rent a house together every summer Most of us have stayed in touch and see each other frequently but a few of them I had not seen in 30 years but it felt like no time had passed at all. Lots of laughs and just a great night

Did something similar in Belmar last Thursday. Nine Rutgers guys. A lot of fun

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

There isn’t a single human from high school, undergrad or grad school that I’d like to see again…the ones I do want to interact with, I already do…salty drama though for those that like it

 

[e5fdny]

There isn’t a single human from high school, undergrad or grad school that I’d like to see again…the ones I do want to interact with, I already do…salty drama though for those that like it

Slay, Queen!

And you’re damn right I want to know. All of it. LOL

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

There isn’t a single human from high school, undergrad or grad school that I’d like to see again…the ones I do want to interact with, I already do…salty drama though for those that like it

Salty drama? Whatever.

 

[toby83]

It's somewhat surprising you never read about reunion mass shootings

 

[newell138]

May 5+6. RU fraternity reunion. Classes of 1958 through 1973. It was our first reunion since 1999. Our house, at 4 Mine Street has been a sorority house for decades. The girls let us in. We checked out the basement where we had a bar and had parties. Looks like a large laundry room now. In November of 1963 we had a beach party in the basement and had a truck pour sand thru the windows on the left. On May 6, 2023, I looked and found a bit of sand on the floor next to the wall!

I remember going to a frat party with sand in the basement but this was in the 80s

 

[CollegeSenior]

It's somewhat surprising you never read about reunion mass shootings

There have been quite a few.

 

[thegock]

50th Anniversary of Rutgers Ultimate (also, The Birthplace of College Ultimate Frisbee) last November.

I had forgotten about this w/r/t this thread until you mentioned it. A blast with 200 alum and the best November weather ever. I pulled the first shift then hung with guys, who I hadn't seen in 4 decades.

Great to see everyone. Did you get a lid?

 

[T2Kplus20]

Was at my 50th HS Reunion last night, what a friggin blast! We had 80 attend from a Senior Class of 400.

You old!

 

[T2Kplus20]

Went to my 10 year HS reunion, will most likely never go to another.

I went to my 20-year HS reunion, which was a last second decision, and actually had a much better time than expected. Lots of people from my neighborhood elementary school attended, so it was to nice hear what they were up to. However, I feel like I checked that box and unlikely to attend our upcoming 30-year event.

It was fun, but just one-time fun.

 

[yessir321]

I had forgotten about this w/r/t this thread until you mentioned it. A blast with 200 alum and the best November weather ever. I pulled the first shift then hung with guys, who I hadn't seen in 4 decades.

Great to see everyone. Did you get a lid?

How many of ya’ll have converted to disc golf now?

 

[29PAS]

Went to my Rutgers College 50th last fall. The University did a nice job with dinners and events. By happenstance met up with 3 other guys from my freshman dorm, Hegeman 6, (back then Hegeman was divided into six houses). Sign of how times have changed: I got into a conversation with a gentleman who was attending his five year reunion and who had no idea that Rutgers had been all male! (Class of 72 was last four year all male class).

I started going to the RU reunions in 2007 when a big group from my fraternity showed up and have gone almost every year since. They have all been fun, low key affairs and I agree the university does a nice job. Definitely best when you're there with at least a handful of people you know well.

Here's another sign that things have changed - friend of mine ('67) and I ('69) were talking to some soon to graduate seniors (male and female). In talking about what it was like back then, they asked what we did after we graduated. I'd been in ROTC and went into the USAF, my friend had gotten drafted. Some of them had never heard of the draft.

 

[CollegeSenior]

I started going to the RU reunions in 2007 when a big group from my fraternity showed up and have gone almost every year since. They have all been fun, low key affairs and I agree the university does a nice job. Definitely best when you're there with at least a handful of people you know well.

Here's another sign that things have changed - friend of mine ('67) and I ('69) were talking to some soon to graduate seniors (male and female). In talking about what it was like back then, they asked what we did after we graduated. I'd been in ROTC and went into the USAF, my friend had gotten drafted. Some of them had never heard of the draft.

The draft ended with their grandfathers. I’d be willing to bet that the majority of baby boomers have no idea that men up to age 45 had to register for the draft during WW II just 10-20-odd years before they themselves were born.

 

[thegock]

How many of ya’ll have converted to disc golf now?

A majority.

 

[Scarlet Craig]

A majority.

I don’t play much of either anymore. Which year are you from?