The origin of the Peddie School and Blair Academy friendly rivalry dates back to 1903, when the football teams faced off for the first time. Officially the oldest prep school rivalry in the state of New Jersey, the matchup – now known as Peddie-Blair Day – has since expanded to include soccer, cross country, field hockey and tennis events. Marking the culmination of the fall sports season, Varsity and JV Boys and Girls teams compete on the same day, with all results counting equally.
In 1988, this beloved tradition took on even greater meaning with the introduction of the Potter-Kelley Cup. Named for F. Edward Potter, Jr., former headmaster of Peddie, and James R. Kelley, former headmaster of Blair, the Cup is awarded to the school that wins the most athletic events during Blair Day. After a win in 2022 and a tie in 2023, the Cup, which represents sportsmanship and competition, currently resides at Peddie.
Except for 1944 and 2020, when pandemics canceled Blair Day, Peddie’s campus buzzes with spirit the week leading up to the face-off. Speakers at the “Blair Day Chapel” inspire raucous Falcons, dormitories compete to design a banner best expressing Peddie pride, and each day of the week features a themed dress-up. Friday night before Blair Day, a bonfire is lit (This year’s bonfire is canceled due to ongoing drought restrictions in the state.), and a pep rally featuring skits performed by the various athletic teams, musical performances, and motivational speeches is held.
Anticipating which athletic teams will be victorious on Blair Day is part of the fun, with Latin teacher Doc Martin historically sharing his predictions. In 2021, the Peddie Sports Analytics Club launched an annual contest in which all members of the Falcon community are invited to predict the victors. This year, the contest winner will receive a $100 gift certificate of their choice. Club leader Neal Patel ’26 said, “Predicting the winners of all the matches is a great way to keep everyone involved. It also helps to build the anticipation before the games begin.”
This year, Blair Week will reach a fever pitch on November 9, with hundreds of students clad in blue and gold storming Peddie’s fields to root for the Falcons. In keeping with the past 119 years, Peddie-Blair Day will bring intense competition, Falcon spirit and memories for a lifetime.
