The Old Brass Spittoon trophy is the unique award given out annually to the winner of the Indiana University versus Michigan State University football game.
The first time the somewhat odd trophy was given to the winning team in this Big Ten Conference rivalry game was in 1950 when the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans defeated the Indiana University (IU) Hoosiers in the first of many contests between the two accomplished schools.
While the exact individual responsible for giving the unique award its distinguished name remains a bit of a mystery college football histories say that the idea for the annual traveling trophy was first suggested by the Michigan State Spartans.
The idea behind a traveling trophy is that each year the trophy is effectively on loan to the team that most recently won the head to head competition between the two schools vying for the traveling trophy.
Every season when the two teams meet for a rematch it is the responsibility of the previous season winner to bring the trophy to the game with the understanding that if the defending champion happens to lose the latest contest they are required to relinquish the trophy to their opponent until it is played for during the next season.
The concept of traveling trophies to commemorate specific rivalry contests is an idea that is not exclusive to college football but due to the nature of the game is very prevalent in the sport.
Due to the scheduling nature of the game of college football opponents almost always play each other only once a year.
A scheduling format that dictates playing once a year is ideal for a traveling trophy like the Old Brass Spittoon.
The second reason that this particular concept is so commonplace in collegiate football is because the exuberant youthful nature of college fans lends itself to the lighthearted trophy designs that are prevalent, i.
e.
the Old Brass Spittoon shaped trophy.
Finally the close physical proximity of many college rivalries fosters an environment ripe with rival attitudes towards neighboring states.
During the 53 meetings that have transpired between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan State Spartans since the Old Brass Spittoon trophy was introduced the Spartans have a commanding series lead with 41 wins.
The Indiana University program on the other hand has roughly a quarter as many wins as their rival with a total of only 11.
During the 53 games over a 59 year period there has only been one time.
The tie occurred in 1977.
The location of the annual rivalry game alternates between being played in East Lansing, Michigan (home of the Michigan State University Spartans) and Bloomington, Indiana (home of the University of Indiana Hoosiers).
The first time the somewhat odd trophy was given to the winning team in this Big Ten Conference rivalry game was in 1950 when the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans defeated the Indiana University (IU) Hoosiers in the first of many contests between the two accomplished schools.
While the exact individual responsible for giving the unique award its distinguished name remains a bit of a mystery college football histories say that the idea for the annual traveling trophy was first suggested by the Michigan State Spartans.
The idea behind a traveling trophy is that each year the trophy is effectively on loan to the team that most recently won the head to head competition between the two schools vying for the traveling trophy.
Every season when the two teams meet for a rematch it is the responsibility of the previous season winner to bring the trophy to the game with the understanding that if the defending champion happens to lose the latest contest they are required to relinquish the trophy to their opponent until it is played for during the next season.
The concept of traveling trophies to commemorate specific rivalry contests is an idea that is not exclusive to college football but due to the nature of the game is very prevalent in the sport.
Due to the scheduling nature of the game of college football opponents almost always play each other only once a year.
A scheduling format that dictates playing once a year is ideal for a traveling trophy like the Old Brass Spittoon.
The second reason that this particular concept is so commonplace in collegiate football is because the exuberant youthful nature of college fans lends itself to the lighthearted trophy designs that are prevalent, i.
e.
the Old Brass Spittoon shaped trophy.
Finally the close physical proximity of many college rivalries fosters an environment ripe with rival attitudes towards neighboring states.
During the 53 meetings that have transpired between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan State Spartans since the Old Brass Spittoon trophy was introduced the Spartans have a commanding series lead with 41 wins.
The Indiana University program on the other hand has roughly a quarter as many wins as their rival with a total of only 11.
During the 53 games over a 59 year period there has only been one time.
The tie occurred in 1977.
The location of the annual rivalry game alternates between being played in East Lansing, Michigan (home of the Michigan State University Spartans) and Bloomington, Indiana (home of the University of Indiana Hoosiers).
SHARE
