Powerhouse. Thundering back. Iron man. These are just a few of
the superlatives that have been applied to Hugo Noridge, whose
memorable performances on the football field and on the track are
the stuff of WPI legend. Noridge won three letters in football and
four in track, and captained both during his senior year.
On the football team, Noridge played back, and he did so with
great talent, determination and gusto. Al Banx, cartoonist for the
Worcester Telegram and The Evening Gazette, often
celebrated Noridge's talent in his whimsical panels.In one, he
called Noridge a "powerful back who can really hit a line." In
another, he said he "could make any man's team."
Perhaps his most memorable appearance on Alumni Field occurred
in 1943, when the Engineers took on the Bobcats from Bates College.
Noridge muscled his way through the Bates line to score touchdowns
in the second and fourth periods in the 21 to 7 victory. It was the
first win for the Engineers in two years, and exuberant fans
carried Noridge from the field on their shoulders like a conquering
hero.
Noridge also made his mark on the track and field team. He
specialized in field events, and his size and strength combined to
make him a formidable talent in the shot put, discus, and javelin
throw. During this senior year, he placed first in the shot put and
discus and third in the javelin events at the New England
Intercollegiate Track Meet. He scored 12 out of WPI's 14 points at
that meet and was the outstanding individual performer of the day.
At the time of his graduation, Noridge held the WPI record for the
shot, with a put of 42 feet.
Away from the field, Noridge continued to excel. An outstanding
student, he attained first honors when he received his bachelor's
degree in mechanical engineering in 1947. He spent the early part
of his career as a plant engineering manager for Emhart Corp. and
Millers Falls Co.; he retired from Avco Lycoming as manager of
production inspection.
For his outstanding achievements as an athlete and a scholar,
WPI is pleased to induct, post-humously, Hugo Noridge into the
Athletic Hall of Fame.
