Severed program launched NHL star

The hockey program that spawned one of the greatest American-born players in history is no more.

The Randolph School Committee has voted to cut the gymnastics, volleyball, and ice hockey varsity teams at Randolph High School in an effort to balance the School Department's budget. In the same vote, it agreed to cut all freshman sports programs, drawing jeers from some residents and alumni.

"I can't believe a suburban town would be cutting sports," said Rod Langway, an All-State football and hockey player at Randolph High in the mid-1970s.

At 6 feet 3 inches and about 220 pounds, Langway was a fearsome middle linebacker and a talented quarterback. But it was on the ice that he really shone. He was a rushing defenseman in the style of the legendary Bobby Orr, although he became known more for his defensive skills during a 15-year National Hockey League career.

After graduating from Randolph High, Langway played at the University of New Hampshire for two years before joining the Hampton Gulls of the American Hockey League, then the World Hockey Association's Birmingham Bulls at age 19, later playing with Wayne Gretzky.

Langway later won two Norris Trophys as the NHL's best defenseman and played in eight NHL All-Star games.

In a telephone interview while driving to Washington from his home in Richmond, Va., Langway, 50, said he was disappointed to hear that his alma mater was cutting its hockey program.

"There are kids who will never get a chance to show what they can do," he said. "Not every parent can afford a private school."

Langway said his nephews in Middleborough have also been affected by cutbacks in school sports.

Randolph School Committee chairman Larry Azer said the schools simply cannot afford to retain all sports.

"The numbers just weren't there to justify keeping the three sports," Azer said. "We had two students from Randolph High playing on the co-op hockey team we had last winter with Blue Hills Regional, and that cost us $20,000."