New trophy will be on the line Saturday
10/23/2007 1:00:00 AM | Football
When Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin take the field on Saturday in Nacogdoches, there will be more than pride on the line to the winner. This year, the winner of the annual “Battle of the Piney Woods” will have some hardware to show off as well.
A 21-pound solid cedar trophy will be at stake this season, thanks in large part to Sam Houston State Student Government Association President Chris Whitaker.
“Over the summer Kent Willis, the SFA president, wanted to put a wager on the game. I was looking for something that wasn't too controversial. There are several alumni that remember us playing for a pair of Colt Walker Pistols in 1976. There was no trace of the pistols, so we wanted to get a trophy made out of pistols.”
The trophy, which stands 2-feet, 2 inches features a pair of replica pistols with the school logos engraved on each handle. The bottom half of the trophy has 24 plates to have the score engraved.
“There is room on the front for the scores of the next 24 games,” Whitaker said. “The winning team will keep the trophy for the next year and the current SGA president of the winning team will be responsible for bringing it back to the game site. There is plenty of room on the back of the trophy to move the old scores after 24 years have passed.”
The trophy was created by Winning Trophies in Palestine at a cost of $600. The two SGA's split the cost, with all $300 of Sam Houston State's portion coming from donations.
“The Sam Houston-Stephen F Austin rivalry is one of the most spirited in the southwest,” said SHSU Director of Athletics Bobby Williams. “We are excited about the chance to add a trophy to this rivalry. I want to thank the Student Government Association for making this happen.”
This Saturday, Whitaker will take the trophy to Nacogdoches and it will sit on a table in front of the student section. Both schools with have guards at the table to make sure nothing happens during the course of the game. As soon as the clock hits zero, the trophy will be presented to the winning team.
