Cheltenham High School will wear special uniforms for Friday’s home game against Abraham Lincoln High School, an evening matchup that has been dubbed the “La Mott Bowl.”
The uniforms honor the history of the La Mott family, for whom a district of the Township, along with its library, fire company, and community center, among other entities, were named.
“The uniforms will bring more of an impact in terms of remember what happened,” Cheltenham head coach Troy Gore said. “We want to make sure that that history is never forgotten. Our kids will hopefully visit some of the historical sites in La Mott and we’re hoping that they get to learn something. We’ll go from there.”
“The La Mott jerseys represent a proud part of our history in Cheltenham. Lucretia Mott, a well-researched abolitionist, demonstrated her strength and vision and passion for human rights,” Patrick Fleury, Cheltenham’s athletic director and head basketball coach, said. “Cheltenham today is better because of her contributions to our community. Today, Cheltenham is known for its diversity and inclusivity. Without this ideology, we would not be who we are as a community. It is a sign of strength, vision and the undeniable desire to stand for human rights.”
Coach Gore expects the team to wear the uniforms for future games as well.
“Every time we wear them, it’s a conversation piece. People are going to ask, ‘Why are they wearing black?'” he said. “People will learn who the La Motts were, and how their home was a safe place for escaped slaves and the Underground Railroad. There was also a point of history in which a young man was shipped in a wooden crate to the La Mott family home.”
Cheltenham’s roster—though studded with standout quarterback Jon Ingram and a highly-recruited running back in Tre McLeod—is on the younger side this season, but Coach Gore likes the progress they’ve made since August’s training camp.
“I’m really liking our youth. We’re a young team, and our younger kids are really getting after it. They’re learning on the fly. Our offensive line is back. We’re ready to go. They’re hungry, everyone’s academically sound,” he said.
The game has been dedicated to Lucretia Mott, who lived in the Township from the 1850s until her death in 1880. As a Quaker minister, her views led to her involvement with the abolitionist movement, and her home, Roadside, was used as a stop along the Underground Railroad.
In 1911, the La Mott home was demolished. The exclusive Latham Park residential community is now located on the site and a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission historical marker has been placed at its entrance as a memorial to Lucretia Mott’s contributions to the community.
Friday’s contest has extra significance for Coach Gore, who is also an Abraham High School alum.
“I played them a couple of times when I coached at Northeast High School. It’s always tough to play my alma mater,” he said. “I’m black and gold all the way through, but the significance this time is that we’re honoring the La Mott community. Abraham has a significant impact on the slave trade in America.”
For more history on the La Mott district, Lucretia, and the Township, you can click here.
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Photos: Cheltenham High School, Wikipedia