Here is a copy of the RAA constitution that I found through my research for the origination of the Ridgewood High School Athletic Association (RAA). It was established in April 1916 as the guiding document that would oversee the functioning of the entire athleic program at RHS.
A lot of our policies and award formats are established in this document which give a great insight into the operation of interscholastic sports at RHS over 100 years ago. Most of the teams were student manager based and their responsibility was extensive. Have fun reading through it and imagining what life within the walls of RHS (both old and new buildings ) must of been like when this was written.
Courtesy of Coach Jeff Yearing, RHS 1966
Article 1. Name
This association shall be known as the Ridgewood High School Athletic Association.
Article 11. Object
The object of the association shall be to promote physical exercise and to direct clean athletics among the students of the Ridgewood High School.
Article 111. Membership
Section 1. All students and teachers of the Ridgewood High school are ipso facto active members of the Association.
Section 2. Any public-spirited citizen interested in the development of athletics in the school may be elected to honorary membership.
Article IV. Management
Section 1. The managment of the Association shall be in the hands of the Executive Committee consisting of one boy and one girl from each class and two faculty members appointed by the Principal.
Section 2. The student members of the Committee sahll be elected by their respective classes on the third Monday in May from a list of candidates, consisting of three boys and three girls, from each of the three classes, Freshman, Sophmore and Junior, nominated by the Executive Committee at a regular meeting on the second Monday in May and approved by the Principal.
The members of the Executive Committee are ipso facto candidates for reelection.
Section 3. In the following September the new Freshmen class shall in like manner elect members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Since the Principal of the School is directly responsible to the Board of Education for the work of the School and its good report, it is hereby expressly provided that he shall have veto power over the acts of the Association.
Article 5. Officers; elections and duties
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected annually in June by the Executive Committee from its own number except as hereinafter provided.
Section 3. The treasurer shall be a member of the faculty appointed by the Principal.
Section 4. The duties of the officers as stated in Cushing’s Manual shall be recognized by this Association except as hereinafter provided.
Section 5. The President of the Association shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at all meeting of the Association.
Section 6. The managers and assistant managers of the respective teams for the ensuing year shall be elected by the Executive Committee at the close of each season.
Article VI. Meetings
Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting in September called by the President of the Association or by five members of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President of the Association or by five members of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. All meetings to have legal force, must be announced before the school at least one day in advance.
Article VII. Finances
Section 1. There shall be no regular dues for members of this Association.
Section 2. The Financial Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all finances of the Association.
Section 3. The Treausrer shall receive, hold and disburse all funds of the Association. Expenses incurred in the name of the Association shall have the approval of the Treasurer.
Section 4. The Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall make a complete report to the Executive Committee three times a year, at the close of the football, basketball and baseball seasons.
Article VIII. Insignia
Section 1. The colors of Ridgewood High School are Maroon and White.