CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — For the first time, when Clarion-Limestone and Clarion meet in football Friday night, there will be a traveling trophy on the line.
EYT Media is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring the Black & Blue Brawl Cup presented by ExploreClarion.com to be given to the winner of the game on an annual basis starting this season.
“This has always been a fantastic rivalry,” EYT Sports Editor Chris Rossetti said. “We wanted to give the players, the schools, the fans something to be proud of. The idea of a traveling trophy isn’t new, but it is a little surprising that this rivalry didn’t have one. Now it does.”
According to Rossetti, the idea sprang from a conversation he had with EYT Media President Jake Bauer and Dustin Kifer, a co-owner of D9Sports.com along with Rossetti’s co-host on the Advanced Disposal Friday Night Overtime Show.
“We were sitting around, and said ‘wouldn’t it be awesome if we could present the winner of this game something?’” Rossetti said. “I want to thank the schools for their support. Everyone immediately saw what a great thing this would be. That includes both superintendents — Mike Stahlman at Clarion and Mike Stimac at Clarion-Limestone, the principals — Doug Rodgers at C-L and John Kimmel at Clarion — the athletic directors — Nancy Mills at Clarion and Brad Frazier at C-L — and the head coaches — Larry Wiser at Clarion and Dave Eggleton at C-L. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
The trophy, which is being made by All American Awards & Engraving in Shippenville, will feature a Cup along with a wooden base that will have room for scores of the next 24 regular-season games played between the teams (the trophy will only be presented for regular-season contests).
“The idea is to have the trophy presented to the winning team right after the conclusion of the football game Friday,” Rossetti said. “Our hope is that both teams will stay on the field for the presentation is a sign of true sportsmanship.”
Complete details of how the trophy will be presented are still being worked out.
The idea for the name — Black & Blue Brawl — stemmed from the primary colors of the two schools home uniforms — Black for Clarion and Blue for C-L.
Clarion hosts Clarion-Limestone at 7 p.m. Friday at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium. Both teams enter the game at 3-0, the first time since 2004 that both squads enter the matchup undefeated. Clarion has won 12 straight over C-L, including a playoff game in 2005. The Lions last win was the undefeated matchup in 2004.
The game will be broadcast on Explore Radio and can be heard on ExploreClarion.com with Mike Kalinowski and Bob Dunkle on the call.
