When Words Collide, Sentences Form

Minnesota "Prizes"

The "Little Brown Jug"

Today, in an amazing upset...and much to the surprise of even Minnesota fans, the "little brown jug" (which is neither little nor brown), was returned to its state of origin when the Golden Gophers finally won their annual match-up against the University of Michigan after an insane number of losses in a row.

Now, I am a huge fan of collegiate football rivalries. Florida-Tennessee (2005 - UF!), Florida-Georgia (Cocktail Party!), Florida-Florida State (It's ours in '05!), Florida-Miami (Well, let's not talk about that one.) But what I just don't get - all of the special "trophies" that Minnesotans have for all of their rivalry games. (And my second thing - why is EVERY game they play a rivalry game. Isn't that called a SCHEDULE?)

Here's a short list:

Minnesota vs. Michigan: The Little Brown Jug
Background: A janitor named Oscar basically stole it from Michigan's lockerroom following a tie. That's right, a tie. Minnesota was sooo excited about a TIE that they kept the visiting coach's water jug. According to the University of Minnesota Gopher sports website: "It is the most famous of all college rivalry trophies, and no other inanimate object comes close to the aura of tradition like the Little Brown Jug." Thank goodness for that! But congrats to the Gophers for bringing back that little brown jug. Although I would take that old crock and sell it at an antiques store...take all of those years of paint and stupid scores off, I bet that thing would be worth a lot of money now - have you seen how much they fetch these days?!

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: Paul Bunyan's Axe
Background: Apparently the oldest rivalry in NCAA Division I-A football needed a symbol, too. In 1948 the axe came about, thanks to the forward thinking of the W Club at Wisconsin. Now, they are on their second ax. The first one was donated to the College Football Hall of Fame a few years back. It even necessitated a press release: "It had become 'somewhat unstable,' according to a press release from UW" that referenced the old axe. I guess the handle was falling off. Either that or it had emotional problems. OK.

Minnesota vs. Iowa: “Floyd of Rosedale.”
Background: The Gophers' website calls this "one of the most emotional rivalries in the country." Sounds like someone needs some counseling. Especially since the "Floyd of Rosedale" is a bronze pig statue. The pig came about in 1935 when, following some tense words and fear of a savage game in Iowa, Minnesota’s Governor Floyd Olson stepped in to keep the peace. “Minnesota folks are excited over your statement about Iowa crowds lynching the Minnesota football team. I have assured them you are law abiding gentlemen and are only trying to get our goat...I will bet you a Minnesota prize hog against an Iowa prize hog that Minnesota wins.” Now, there is nothing, in my eyes, that encourages fair play and a strong rivalry like a prize pig. Minnesota won the first pig, it was named after the Governor (is that a compliment??) and was promptly delivered to their neighbors to the north. The story actually gets better, includes a 14 year old winning the pig in an essay contest and then the thing kicking the bucket. But you have to read it yourself...The Story Of the Floyd of Rosedale.

I don't know about you - but I would hate to have to be the person in charge of not losing these sacred trophies at each game. I'm glad that most of the rivalries I care about just focus on wins and loses. Because I would never be able to remember what strange thing we're playing for this week.

posted by Steph @ 8:11 PM