Football Game Notes vs. Southern Virginia

Game Notes Vs. Southern Virginia

Oyster Bowl Information

This marks the seventh year that the Apprentice School has played in the Oyster Bowl.  Today's game is sponsored by the Shriners Association to benefit the Shriners Hospital For Children.

The Oyster Bowl was created in 1946 by Past Potentate, Melvin T. Blassingham. The 1st game was played between Granby High School of Norfolk the Virginia State Champion playing Host to the New Jersey High School State Champion, Clifton. Granby prevailed in that inaugural game, 6-0. Since 1946, this event has raised over 3 Million dollars for Shriners Hospitals For Children. The game's motto today is "Strong Legs Run so Weak Legs May Walk".

For many years, this game was played in Norfolk at Foreman Field and brought in several past NFL standouts. Roger Staubach won MVP honors with Navy in 1960 while facing Don Meredith and SMU.  Another former MVP was a former Washington Redskins assistant coach Richie Pettibone with Tulane in 1958. 

Other past NFL greats include: Fran Tarkington - Georgia 1957 Ernie Davis - Syracuse 1959 Randy White - Maryland 1974.

VMI has played in the most Oyster Bowl games (15), followed by Duke (12), Navy and William & Mary follow with 11 each.  From its inception, with the exception of one season, the game was played with college teams.

The Apprentice School helped to bring the game back in 1999 being played with Division III-level teams.  The Builders have played in seven of those contests (including todays).  They have been involved in the highest scoring and longest games in Oyster Bowl history.  That came last year when the Builders lost 61-55 to Chowan in four overtimes.