Wakefield Hall of Fame

Katharine Nichols

As you browse through the pages of the oldest Wakefield High School class yearbooks, it is easy to notice how many new women’s sports teams begin to appear as the books get newer. Katherine Nichols was the guiding force behind Wakefield girls’ sports and she had to work hard to make inter-town competing teams and still keep the sports as an extra-curricular activity. She was inducted into the first Hall of Fame class at Wakefield High School in 1991 and each year since 1976 the Wakefield High School Athletic Department donates an award in her name which is presented to the outstanding graduating female athlete.

1937-38 Field Hockey Team

"Field hockey at Wakefield High School began in 1926 as an interclass sport, due in part to a short season and weather conditions. In 1930, the Junior Class team was captained by Katherine Nichols. Miss Nichols became the coach during the 1937-38 season, her first year as a 'gymnasium' teacher. Miss Nichols was instrumental in bringing sports to the girls at Wakefield High School, introducing them to intramural basketball, field hockey, badminton, tennis, bowling, archery, and golf. Intramural games continued into the 1950s before interest in the game began to wane. In 1961, WHS gym classes were 're-introduced' to field hockey, the same year that WHS began its first interscholastic season under the coaching of Mrs. Clayman.

During the spring of 1953, several enthusiastic girls tried their hand at softball, forming teams of nine with 'catchy' names. Coached by Miss Katherine Nichols, the girls played tournament style games. The sport caught on quickly at WHS, with 120 girls participating in the weekly games in 1954. After a lapse of several years, WHS started a girls softball team in 1964-1965. By 1966-1967, the team was redeveloped and interscholastic play began.”

Text from Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Calendar at The Beebe Library Website.

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