high school in the city. It is unknown how the school got its name, but it presumably originates from where the neighborhood the school is located, Pilgrim Park. On December 30, 1962, the school was officially dedicated, and Michael A. Morry was named the first principal. A month later, on January 29, the school opened without delay during a cold winter morning. The big move was efficiently managed, with the Vets secretary going as far as scheduling students in the same classes they had in their previous school. The courtyards full of landscaping were described by one student as "just beautiful", and the cafeteria (once known as the "dining hall") was used to hold delightful dances. Sports teams were already formed, and the gymnasium was prepared to hold its first basketball game. Still, Pilgrim's student population kept increasing. Morry implemented the double session schedule to avoid cramped conditions at the new school. The golden era (1970–early 90s) Despite the population peaking in the early 1970s, the number of students attending Pilgrim contributed to athletics, and they are responsible for the success of sports teams throughout the decade. In 1968, the boys' cross country team gave the school its first division championship, ushering an era of Pilgrim's dominance in athletics. The following year, the cross country team gave Pilgrim its first state title. The baseball team was still consistent when they first played in 1963, and in 1970, they won their first championship, the first of five in the decade. In the 1970s, Pilgrim's baseball team had a 110–34 record (a 76.4% win percentage), six division titles, and five state titles starting in 1970, a threepeat from 1972 to 1974, and 1978. Pilgrim lost the championship in 1979, but their power continued until 1984, when the team finished off with a losing record. Although the baseball team in the 1980s was inconsistent with their records, they managed to win the 1980 and 1990 championships. and competed for the 1992 title. Pilgrim also won championships with other sports teams as well. Boys' cross country continued to win titles through 1987. Ice hockey won three straight division championships from 1974 to 1976, and another in 1990. Football, wrestling, field hockey, boys' indoor track, girls' soccer, girls' tennis, and girls' volleyball were teams also associated with the "golden era". The famed Morry had the Pilgrim football field dedicated to him. After he retired in