College Football Rivalry Trophies: A Tradition of Bragging Rights
College football rivalries are more than just games; they are deeply ingrained traditions fueled by history, pride, and the pursuit of bragging rights. For many of these contests, the victor not only earns a win but also takes home a tangible symbol of their triumph: a coveted rivalry trophy. These trophies, often unique and steeped in local lore, represent the passion and intensity that define college football.
Iconic Symbols of Victory
Rivalry trophies come in all shapes and sizes, reflecting the unique character of the schools and communities they represent. Some are steeped in history, while others are relatively new additions to the tradition.
The Oldest Trophies
- The Little Brown Jug: This relatively small earthenware jug, painted brown, has been around since 1903. It was once used by the Michigan team.
- The Monon Bell: Awarded since 1932, this bell marks a fierce Division III rivalry between Wabash College and DePauw University, schools only about 30 miles apart. The series, one of the oldest in the nation, began in 1890 and is 121 games old.
- The Cup: First awarded in 1899, this is the oldest rivalry trophy in college sports. The rivalry has always been heated, but the Cup wasn't that big a deal; indeed, it was "lost" for 80 years before it was found in 1980 in the basement of a Tempe church. A replica of the Cup is handed out on the field every year.
Unique and Unusual Trophies
- The Axe: This trophy reportedly made its first appearance in April 1899, during a rally at Stanford when it was used to decapitate a straw figure wearing Cal's colors. The game rarely has much national cachet, but it's a nasty rivalry; at its core, it's smart public-school kids vs. smart private-school kids.
- The Iron Skillet: Since 1946, the winner of the game between TCU and SMU gains possession of this unusual trophy. Each school has a different version, but they agree on the tradition.
- The Egg Bowl Trophy: The schools annually end their regular seasons in the "Egg Bowl," so named because of the egg-shaped trophy that goes to the winner since 1927.
- Testudo (Maryland): The tradition began in 1925, with an actual live turtle given to the winner. But, hey, turtles die, and the original turtle moved on to (presumably) a better place in 1927. It was decided that instead of a live turtle, the winner would get a replica and -- voila! -- a 32-pound wooden replica came into use.
- The Troll: This Division III matchup features something unique (or, some might say, ugly). The Troll has been awarded to the winner of the annual game since 1974 between Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) and St. Olaf (Minn.).
- Floyd of Rosedale: A bronze pig, "Floyd" has been around since 1935, and he's 21 inches high and 15.5 inches long, mounted on a wooden pedestal.
- The Boot: This trophy has been around only since 1968. It was worn in Vietnam by a Colorado State alum who was an Army ROTC instructor at the school.
- Chief Caddo: The teams have been playing for the trophy since 1961. The Caddo tribe helped settle the areas in which both schools are located. The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and Northwestern State Demons compete for a 7-foot-6, 330-pound wooden statue of an Indian chief.
- Victory Cannon: At 545 pounds, it's the heaviest rivalry trophy in college sports and it has gone to the game's winner since 1969. The cannon is a replica of the one that explorer John C. Fremont used.
The Allure of Rivalry Trophy Replicas
For fans who want to capture the spirit of these rivalries, officially licensed replicas offer a tangible way to connect with their favorite teams. Rivalry Trophy, for instance, creates custom-made replicas of college football's most historic rivalry trophies. Customers rave about the level of detail and quality, making them incredible additions to any man cave or office. The care and detail are evident, with details that fans might never notice on the real trophy. The company also has excellent customer service. One customer had an issue with shipping, and Rivalry Trophy provided a quick response and resolution. Some fans even purchase replicas with the hope of getting them signed by players or coaches, further enhancing their value and sentimental worth.
The Importance of Tradition and Continuity
Many college football rivalries have endured for over a century, with trophies serving as enduring symbols of these long-standing traditions. However, recent upheaval within major conferences has threatened some cherished rivalries, while potentially rekindling others. The preservation of these rivalries and their associated trophies is crucial for maintaining the unique character and history of college football.
Longest Active Continuously-Played Series in NCAA College Football
Many historic series were interrupted by World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic and World War II. Note: The NCAA also lists as "continuous" the following rivalries interrupted by gaps during war years: North Carolina-Virginia (1910-1916, 1919-current); Mississippi-Mississippi State (1915-1942, 1944-current); Auburn-Georgia (1919-1942, 1944-current); Tennessee-Kentucky (1919-1942, 1944-current). Other rivalries were also interrupted during war years, for example: Harvard-Yale (1897-1916, 1919-1943, 1945-present); Princeton-Yale (1876-1916, 1919-1943, 1945-present); Miami-Cincinnati (1909-1942, 1945-present); and Oregon-Oregon State (1912-1942, 1945-present). Following are the NCAA Division I and II series that continued for the most consecutive seasons before being interrupted. Eight of the eighteen series on this list are defunct rivalries from the old Big Eight Conference. Div. Rivalry pre-dates Georgia Tech's admission into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1983. Div.
Read also: Comprehensive Ranking: Women's College Basketball
A Glimpse at Other College Football Rivalry Trophies
The world of college football rivalries is vast, with countless games carrying their own unique traditions and trophies. Here's a glimpse at some other notable examples:
- Admiral's Cup:
- Anchor-Bone Classic:
- Baird Brothers Trophy:
- Battle for the Drum:
- Battle for the Sledge:
- The Battle of Sixth Street:
- The Book of Knowledge:
- Bridge Bowl:
- Bronze Turkey Game:
- Centennial Cup:
- Chile Bowl: Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico compete for this trophy.
- The Claw:
- The Coal Bowl:
- Coastal Classic:
- Cranberry Bowl:
- Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Game:
- Farmageddon: Kansas State v. Iowa State
- Gate City Soup Bowl:
- Goal Post Game:
- Goat Trophy:
- The Hammer:
- Keystone Cup:
- Lincoln Trophy:
- Little Brass Bell:
- Miner's Cup:
- Miners Bowl:
- The Mug:
- Old Oaken Bucket:
- Old Red Lantern:
- Paint Bucket:
- Pynchon SAW Trophy:
- Regents Cup:
- Rocking Chair:
- Smudge Pot:
- Sunflower Showdown: Kansas State v. Kansas
- The Trophy:
- Victory Bell:
- Wagon Wheel:
- Wooden Shoes Rivalry:
Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center
Read also: About Grossmont Community College
tags: #college #football #trophy #list
