The Neilson Family, of Sharon Street in Medford, sent all four of its children to Boston University straight through the Depression. Two of them played hockey, albeit briefly; one was a cheerleader. Betty went on to Masters and Doctoral degrees from BU.
Watch for a few more details soon!
In the meantime, the family held a reunion in North Woodstock, New Hampshire in August 2002. See Pictures!
Click on the image to view a larger version
Information about Bill
Information about Betty
Information about Bob
Information about George
I received these photos from Sean Pickett, who is researching Boston University hockey history. Sean used to maintain a BU Hockey page; unfortunately, people ripped off images and information without attribution, so it's gone to cyberHeaven.
Sean writes as follows:
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 12:00:35 -0400 Subject: Re: More on Robert and George Neilson Joe, For some reason I forgot to check my copy of the 1931 Syllabus, the last CBA yearbook published in 1930. I was going through the junior (class of 1931) and found your father-in-law, William Neilson. I have attached a JPEG of William's junior picture and below is the information for him in the yearbook: WILLIAM H. NEILSON, Jr., "Bill"[if you can not read the symbols and/or they do not arrive correctly they are Delta Phi Epsilon] 110 Sharon St., West Medford Medford High School Lieutenant R.O.T.C.; Cheer team (1). Sean
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 12:35:49 -0400 Subject: Re: More on William Neilson Hi Joe, I looked in the 1929 Syllabus and found a photo of the cheer team which I have attached and a write-up of the 1927-28 team: Boston University Cheer Team The Boston University Cheer team is a new organization in the University circles, and has proved its worth since its inception last September. The cheering in B.U. has needed organizing for a long time, and the cheer team has started to fulfill this need. It started with no traditions, no old cheerleaders, and little support. At the end of the football season it had student backing and faculty recognition. Prospects for next season's team are very bright as Professor Wentworth Williams, with a wealth of cheerleading experience back of him, will coach the team and supervise its activities. I also checked the Delta Phi Epsilon pages in the '29, '30 and '31 Syllabuses. Bill is listed as a pledge in the '30 yearbook (for 1928- 29) and is in the fraternity photo. he is also in the '31 yearbook in the fraternity photo and is listed as a junior. Sean
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2001 23:34:53 -0400 Subject: Re: A short followup Joe, In the course of my research I believe I read that BU admitted women from the beginning of the school's founding in Boston. In any case, BU was admitting women from as early as the 1910's (my research only goes back to 1917). I checked my 1933 HUB and Elizabeth A. Neilson of 110 Sharon St., West Medford, is listed as a senior in the School of Education receiving a B.S. in Ed. with a major in Biology. However she has no picture and listed no college activities.
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 11:59:28 -0400 Subject: Robert Charles Neilson, brother of George (?) Joe, In my research I have been buying copies of The Hub for every year I can find. I have recently obtained a copy for 1937 and in going through it I found a Robert Charles Neilson who played some hockey for BU. As his home address is the same as George's, I believe that he may be an older brother. Robert only lists varsity hockey for his sophomore, along with freshman hockey. I still have not researched the thirties or forties, so I have no idea how many games either may have played for the varsity and I have done no research for the freshman team. He is not listed in the BU Hockey letterman list, but I have found dozens of players not listed, or not listed for every year they played (like George). For some, the omissions are clearly errors and they should be listed. For others, it appears they did not receive a letter for the year(s) played for whatever reason. I have attached a JPEG of Robert's senior picture and below is the information for him in the yearbook: College of Business Administration ROBERT CHARLES NEILSON 110 Sharon St., West Medford Medford High School B.S. in B.A. Banking and Finance Alpha Kappa Psi; Varsity Hockey 2; Freshman Hockey; Newman Club.
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 00:33:13 -0500 Subject: Re: George Neilson/Nelson Joe, I have just obtained a copy of The 1940 Hub, the BU yearbook at that time. In it there is a picture of the 1939-40 freshman hockey team which included George Neilson. I assume that he is the George Nelson awarded a varsity letter for the 1940-41 season. I have attached a JPEG of the player identified as George in the team photo in case you have pictures of him to compare it with. I will send you more information when I learn more. Sean Pickett E-mail: <deleted> Go Terriers 1999 Beanpot Champions
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 22:30:27 -0500 Subject: Re: George Neilson/Nelson Joe, I have also just received a copy of The 1943 Hub, and I found George's senior picture and information. Although George is not shown in the hockey team photo, he lists hockey for all four years he attended BU. It is likely he practiced with the team, but may may not have played in any games until seven Terriers were called up by the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps with three games remaining. George likely played in those remaining games. Again, I will learn more when I research the 1942-43 season and those games. I have attached a JPEG of George's senior picture and below is the information for him in the yearbook: College of Business Administration GEORGE HUTCHINSON NEILSON 110 Sharon St., Medford Medford High School B.S. in B.A. Accounting Hockey 1, 2, 3, 4; Sailing 1; Accounting Society 3; Dean Lord Club 2; Newman Club 1, 2, 3, 4.
From: "Sean Pickett" To: Joe Makowiec Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 20:51:26 -0400 Subject: More on Robert and George Neilson Joe, I just spent the week doing more hockey research at the BU Special Collections department this week and came upon some information about Robert and George. I still need to research a number of game summaries for when Robert was at BU, but so far I have found one game which he was dressed for a varsity game his sophomore year. I say this because Robert was a goalie and I am not sure if he played in the game. I also went through the 1931, 1934 and 1936 Hubs (I am still missing those years from the thirties) and in the 1934 Hub the freshman hockey team photo includes Robert in his goalie gear. As for George, I still go research his years, but in going through the BU News I came across this at the end an article on the first BU game of the 1940-41 season (and George's first varsity game): "George Neilson and Bud Breeyear, two of Borofsky’s reserve linemen, flashed good hockey in their abbreviated appearance on the ice. Neilson’s resounding checking help goalie Sullivan greatly." In the only other game I know George played in he was listed as a defenseman. Sean
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