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KATV pep rally photos by Gracie Lundstrum and Josh Galante.
On a cool afternoon in Nov. 1895, a rivalry unlike any other began.
This rivalry ultimately became the Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine. Just a two-lane highway separates the campuses of Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University. This rivalry features a unique, somewhat unknown tradition: the visiting team and band walk across the street to the site of the game. This is thought to be the only football game in all of the United States in which the opposing team walks to the game. These schools bleed their respected colors, and pour their hearts into the week simply know as, “BOTR”.
Just two years ago, the series was a deadlock tie at 39-39-6. Henderson soon changed that on a goal line stand to win in 2011, and then went on to win again in 2012. There has been an abundance of blood, sweat and tears shed over the past 118 years. Many local heroes such as Bill Vining Sr. and Jr., Ike Sharp, Buddy Bob Benson (winningest coach in Arkansas history) and nationally recognized names like Cliff Harris, who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1971, have been a part of this longstanding tradition. These names may ring a bell, as all are inducted in the OBU Sports Hall of Fame.
Big names have come and gone, and every year a new legend is born. Every year the football teams bring everything they have to the field in hopes to add another win to their record against their biggest rival.
BOTR 2013 Events
Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Battle of the Ravine Week kicked off Monday, Nov. 11.
After a week full of events, the Ouachita Tigers and the Henderson State University Reddies football teams will once again face each other on Saturday, Nov.16, at 3 p.m. at OBU’s A.U. Williams Stadium. This year’s BOTR week boasted an extensive schedule, which featured events for just about anyone.
The festivities began Monday with the senior class guarding the tiger. This tradition has been around for years and years; the idea is to protect the sacred tiger statue from any Reddie soul who is brave enough to step on OBU’s campus after dark.
“Our most important goal is to protect the tiger,” said Dr. Casey Motl, sponsor of Tiger Nation. “Over the years the Tiger’s tail has been clipped off, actually so many times that OBU has put up a wrot iron fence to protect it. All the school signs on both sides of the street are covered in tarps to protect them from vandalism.”
Along with the guarding the tiger, the Women of EEE and the Men of Beta Beta provided chili for the student body on Monday. This proved to be a welcome means of warmth for those seniors who braved the cold and spent their last BOTR as students protecting the legendary tiger.
Tuesday night the junior class was left with the responsibility of guarding the tiger after Campus Ministries and Kanakuk Kamps presented “After Dark,” an event that featured music and guest speaker Joe White and was open to students from both sides of the ravine.
On Wednesday the Men of Kappa Chi hosted a BOTR Car Bash while the Men of Eta Alpha Omega served the students refreshments to participants. After this exciting event the sophomore class was left in charge of protecting the tiger.
Thursday featured the Volleyball BOTR as OBU traveled a mere 500 yards to Duke Wellness Center to take on the Lady Reddies. The Men of Rho Sigma hosted a pep rally and then was followed by a bonfire and fireworks show. The Women of Tri Chi were out late into the night to serve s’mores and hot cocoa to the dedicated freshman of OBU who had their first chance to protect the Tiger on and all survived including the Tiger.
Friday proved to be an exciting day starting before sunrise. KATV was on campus to do interviews with the respected football coaches, student representatives, and other individuals of authority at their respective schools. Here you found many OBU and HSU students up at the crack of dawn to show their school spirit.
“There’s no rivalry like this,” said David Sharp, athletic director at OBU. “It doesn’t matter what sport it is, when you step on that field or court the emotions rise in you and there’s nothing like it.”
This excitement filled the air as the stadium filled with students and faculty alike decked out in their respective fan gear for this early morning pep rally. The Friday night schedule features a concert by Arkansas country band Back Road Anthem and a fun-filled night of games and activities on the Henderson intramural field. Finish out the night with the Women of Chi Delta and the Men of Rho Sigma at the Tiger, where there will be cookies, cider, and one last night of guarding the tiger.
Saturday morning will begin with a color run and tailgate preceding the big event. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at A.U. Williams Stadium and is sure to be a game to remember.
A Student’s Perspective on BOTR
Standing around at the 6 a.m. pep rally, it’s easy to notice a sense of anticipation and excitement coming from the members of the pep rally audience.
Students from both Henderson and Ouachita came together before sunrise to show their school spirit early Friday morning.
“I just love BOTR week,” said Krista Carlisle, the senior cheer squad co-captain. “The bonfire pep rally is a great way to boost school spirit, and Dr. Motl’s speeches always get people pumped about the game.”
“This game for us and the boys are unlike any other,” she continued “The crowds are larger, their participation is even greater than usual, and it creates an atmosphere that is truly unlike any other. The rivalry is evident on people’s faces and that ultimately gets everyone fired up.”
“The close knit community of Arkadelphia, having two schools that share such a special game, really brings out the school spirit in everyone,” said Elizabeth White, another senior cheer squad co-captain. “The excitement and anticipation is almost unbearable. As I sit in class every day, all I can think about is Saturday afternoon.”
“The fact that the campuses basically touch, the ‘state’ school verses the ‘religious’ school, and the history of the game all make this rivalry as great as you are ever going to find,” she said.
“One of the main things is to stay true to the plan and not let the distractions take an effect on the game,” said senior football player Jesse Stone. “Making sure we all get rest and stay focused. The tension in the locker room is urgency it’s late in the season and we are much more serious because winning this game means a lot to the football program and the university.”
Regardless of the outcome, the Battle of the Ravine week in Arkadelphia is one that is always special for the students of OBU and HSU and this year proves to be no different. With both teams having good seasons up until this point, it really will be a battle like no other.
