Junk To Some, But Treasures To Others

Coming up this Saturday there's a pair of WIAC games where there's more than a just conference win on the line. Much like Wisconsin and Minnesota, who play annually for the famous Paul Bunyan's Axe, there's countless other college football programs who play for tangible (and sometimes absurd) objects. After a little research I was a little disappointed to find that only two such games are played in the WIAC. In fact, I contemplated scratching this blog post all together, due to lack of content. Then I reconsidered and posted it anyways to enlighten what little audience I have.

Starting in 2009, each year, Stout and Eau Claire play for the rights to hoist up the War on 94 Trophy. This rivallry hangs its hat on the two school's close proximity of each other. It's less than a 30-mile drive that seperates these two universities, right down I-94. So far the Blue Devils have won each of the first two meetings heading into Saturday's game. So....if Stout would win again Saturday would they be considered "Road Hogs" then??? Sorry, I told this blog wouldn't be immune to bad jokes.

Squaring off Saturday in the annual George Chryst Bowl will be (as always) Whitewater and Platteville. This yearly meeting features a "trophy" that's a tad unnerving. whether you're in the stands or up-close. Since in 1993, the Miner's Pick has been awarded to the winner of these two old rivals. The game is played in honor of George Chryst, the Pioneer head coach from 1979 till his sudden death in 1992, at age 55. Upon the requests of the two team's former coaches, Jim Kinder (UWP) and Bob Berezowitz (UWW), the annual game is dedicated in his memory. Heading into Saturday's game the Warhawks lead the George Chryst Bowl series, 16-2.

Even though this has nothing to do with the WIAC, I felt obligated to include this story on this blog post. Mostly because the trophy looks like something you'll find hanging in my father-in-law's garage. Every year, for the past 23 years, Case Western Reserve and Wooster have battled it out for the covenant Baird Brothers Trophy. The trophy dates back to 1984 when Bob Baird, a professor at Case, and his brother Bill Baird, a professor at Wooster, came up with the idea. The winner of the game keeps the stringer for the year, and then adds a new fish to it for that year's contest. Each added fish represents how that year's game was played out, with the score and winner engraved on the side. The original fish is a four-inch blue gill symbolizing the narrow last second Case victory, 21-14. A big northern pike denotes the Spartans 37-0 victory over the Scots in 1985. Other fish included are a flounder, a carp, a walleye, a catfish, a rainbow trout, a sturgeon, a sucker, a crappie, a muskie, a sheepshead, a gar, a large-mouth bass and a small-mouth bass. So far Wooster holds a slim 13-10 game advantage in the series. The 24th game of the series will be played on 10/24.

I would like to hear your ideas about possible rivalry game featuring two WIAC schools. Please include the name of the game, and what the trophy will consist of. If I get enough entries I'll start a poll where readers can vote on the best idea. I might go as far as pitching the idea to that school's athletic directors. Post your ideas in the comments below, or email me at wiacfootball@hotmail.com.

Cheers!