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| Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
These other stadiums may be bigger, more modern and flashier, but there’s nothing like an NCAA Division III football championship game in Salem, Virginia.
The city and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference had this crazy idea more than 30 years ago to bid to host the Stagg Bowl, and bring the game away from its previous homes — generally warm-weather climates where nobody had ever heard of NCAA Division III — and bring it to this location in Southwest Virginia that is sometimes more warm-hearted than warm-weathered.
And it thrived, by all accounts. Every year, Salem tried to do a little more to enhance the experience for the student-athletes, whether it was adding banners to recognize past champions, enlarging the locker rooms, installing turf, bringing in a whole tailgating party, or building up the Gagliardi Trophy ceremony into a full-on Heisman-like event.
Division III’s relationship with Special Olympics was born here. People are friendlier here. Things sparkle a little more here. And it hasn’t been like this anywhere else, despite the efforts in Texas, Ohio and Maryland.
Salem is a special place, and D3football.com remembers exactly how by telling some of the best memories of Stagg Bowls here in Virginia’s Championship City.
Please read, and react, and share, and enjoy.
— Patrick Coleman
The game comes to SalemIn 1993, nobody knew that Mount Union was starting a dynasty run, and Salem was starting one of its own. |
Frosty brings the funThe Lutes brought their unique style to Salem in 1999, and walked away the talk of the town. |
After the clock stoppedA member of the selection committee was "sick to (their) stomach" when they saw video of the clock error that allowed Bridgewater to defeat Rowan. The result was the most highly attended Stagg in Salem. |
Johnnies wrap up miracle seasonIn 2000, John Gagliardi was the last person to leave the Salem Stadium field, after St. John's lost to Mount Union. The next time, he would not have to leave without the title, due in part to one epic pick-six by Mike Zauhar.
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The rise of WhitewaterUW-Whitewater scheduled Mount Union in 2002 and 2003 to see what they were up against. By 2005 they were in the Stagg and by 2007, the Warhawks had won one, with more to come. By Ryan Tipps |
The year of the snowIf you followed Division III during the Mount Union-Whitewater run, one game has to stick out -- the Snow Game. More than 18 inches of snow fell on Salem in a 24-hour span, and they dug it out and got the game off. By Patrick Coleman
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What the Cru can doMary Hardin-Baylor first got to Salem in 2004. They werent able to get back for 12 years, but when they did, it was to take home the trophy. Keith McMillan recalls when UMHB got to become the Purple Power. By Keith McMillan
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Celebrating Stagg Bowl 50Patrick Coleman's look at the Stagg Bowl years in Salem comes in Monday's edition of the Around the Nation Podcast. Go to the 15:00 mark to hear a five-minute tribute with all the references you can handle, or watch it below. By Patrick Coleman |
