This year's River Bell Classic trophy
File photo/The Lion's Roar

The rivalry between the Lions football team and Nicholls State University Colonels has been going on since the Colonels football program started in 1972. This rivalry is settled in the last game of every season in the River Bell Classic which the Lions won this past season 44-42.

The Classic started after the end of the Cypress Mug series that was played against Southwestern Louisiana which is now University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity helped to establish the River Bell Classic.

“The Cypress Mug Series had been our main rivalry series and left SLU without a real rival to compete against,” said Sigma Tau Gamma alumni Cameron Barr. “In that same year, Nicholls started its football program, and we put them on our schedule. In a meeting with a committee, then called the Alumni Advisory Committee, the desire was expressed to establish another rivalry series with Nicholls. As a member of that committee, I volunteered that the alumni of Sigma Tau Gamma would come up with a name and trophy for the series.”

The name of the trophy was specifically chosen to represent both schools accurately.

“The fact that the schools are separated by the Mississippi River is the inspiration for the ‘River’ in the name,” said Barr. “So, several Sigma Tau Gamma alumni got together and suggested the name of the trophy for the game to be the River Bell Trophy.”

Sigma Tau Gamma takes the responsibility in sponsoring the trophy and keeping the trophy in good shape.

“Sigma Tau Gamma alumni make the trophy available through a permanent loan of the trophy to Southeastern,” said Barr. “Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni are obligated for the maintenance of the trophy and, in fact, have set up a fund in the Southeastern Foundation to make sure that these obligations are met.” 

The River Bell Classic trophy design has only changed one time. Because the athletes get to celebrate with the trophy after the game, it takes a lot of abuse. The original trophy is in the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame in the University Center while a new trophy has been in use the past five years.

“The original trophy was in use from 1972 until the 2011 game,” said Barr. “The original trophy was constructed by Hammond Cabinet Works from a drawing that they helped make while we stood in their reception area. In 2012 at the 40th anniversary, Sigma Tau Gamma alumni commissioned a new trophy. The new trophy was designed and constructed by two Sigma Tau Gamma alumni members. Wes Koon did the design and glass work. John Sammons did the woodwork and final assembly.”

The classic went on a 20-year hiatus due to the Lions football program being inactive for 18 seasons.

“Nicholls won the last game before our football program was suspended, so they held the trophy until the rivalry started again,” said Barr.

The series between the Lions and the Colonels has been evenly competitive.

“Right now, I believe the series is tied at 13 wins for each school,” said Barr. “However, 

we have won four of the last five games including this year’s contest.”

The Lions football team considers winning the classic not only an honor but also a reflection of how well the program is doing.

“When you win the in-state rivalries, it is always huge for your program,” said Head football Coach Ron Roberts. “It’s huge for recruiting as well. It was a great win on the road especially the fashion in which it was done in. It was a great football game and it has turned out to be an outstanding rivalry.”

 

The Lions won the River Bell Classic back last season after losing it the previous season.
File photo/The Lion's Roar