By Lillie Tretter, News Editor
For nearly 131 years since launching on Thanksgiving Day in 1895, Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University have played a thrilling football game, contributing to one of the longest-standing rivalries in small college football. This year, the game will be held at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium at Henderson State University on November 14 with kickoff time at 1 p.m. Battle of the Ravine (BOTR) is founded upon long-standing traditions, a rock-solid community and school spirit that is still very much present a little over a century later.
“During BOTR, the campus gets to come together to ‘ward’ off the Henderson Reddies,” said Lexi Aikman, Student Body President. “In years past, some Henderson students would try to sneak onto campus at nighttime to vandalize our tiger. Now, students get to physically ‘guard the tiger’ while enjoying food and fellowship with their classmates.”
Throughout the week, each class is assigned a night to “guard” the tiger. Student Senate works closely with each class representative to choose an exciting theme to encourage more students to get involved in Guard the Tiger. The themes for 2026 Guard the Tiger include: Seniors – Birthday Party, Celebrating the class of 2027, Juniors – Jungle-themed, Sophomores – Circus-themed and Freshmen – Camping. Each class brings new games, food and fellowship as students count down to game day. While events typically occur from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. each night, one club on campus takes their school spirit, pride and guarding the tiger to the next level.
The Men of Rho Sigma have been responsible for guarding the tiger since the late 1930s, after paint was thrown on the statue during Battle of the Ravine week. Beginning on Sunday, members are expected to be at the club’s tent day and night until game day.
“We are out there 24/7. If you’re not in class, you’re at the tent,” said Will Childers, President of The Men of Rho Sigma. “We take shifts so not every guy has to stay in the tent every night.”
On top of persevering through freezing temperatures to guard Ouachita’s tiger, the club also hosts a few events throughout the week. One night they will collaborate with The Men of Eta Alpha Omega to host an Olympic game night. Other nights include a big-screen movie and a football game. In previous years they have done a senior torch night with a bonfire. This year they cannot do the senior night because of the current burn ban. To end the week’s exciting events, Rho Sigma will also host a campus-wide concert that features the club’s members and alumni playing on stage on the lawn.
Beyond the exciting events BOTR week has to offer, there is an opportunity for students, specifically freshmen, to build new friendships and form connections that will last a lifetime. For Sara Faddis, Vice President of Student Senate, BOTR week changed her experience at Ouachita.
“Guard the Tiger allowed me to meet some of my best friends. It’s a really great opportunity for freshmen to be introduced to the culture of Ouachita,” said Faddis. “It’s a great way for students to truly feel a part of the Ouachita family.”
There is no other event on campus quite like BOTR Week, which is built on Ouachita’s strong school spirit, pride, sense of tradition and fellowship with one another. This week offers something for every student on campus to participate in and allows the student body to come together for one common cause: keeping Ouachita’s traditions alive and celebrating the community they call home.
