Oyster Bowl
Encyclopedia
The Oyster Bowl is a regular season college football
game played annually in the Hampton Roads
-area of Virginia
. The game has featured match-ups between high school, NCAA Division III, and at present, NCAA Division I teams at various points in its existence. It is sponsored by the Norfolk, Virginia
-based Khedive Temple of the Shriners, with a portion of the revenue going to children's charity. The 2011 Oyster Bowl was the 62nd edition of the game.
During the first incarnation of the Oyster Bowl, it was held at Foreman Field
in Norfolk, Virginia
, and with one exception, featured NCAA major college teams. The inaugural Oyster Bowl was held in 1946 between two high schools, the local Granby Comets
and the Clifton Mustangs of Clifton, New Jersey
.
After a brief hiatus, the game was resurrected in 1948 and played continuously until 1995. At that time, the Oyster Bowl was discontinued for financial reasons. The series of games from 1946 to 1995 generated more than $3 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children
.
During the 1977 edition between East Carolina
and William & Mary
, former East Carolina head coach Jim Johnson
, who was attending the game as a spectator, tackled a William & Mary player about to score the game-winning touchdown
. Many well known players participated in the Oyster Bowl during the time it featured Division I teams. These include Ernie Davis
of Syracuse
, Don Meredith
of SMU
, Bruce Smith of Virginia Tech
, Roger Staubach
of Navy
, Fran Tarkenton
of Georgia
, and Randy White
of Maryland
.
In 1999, the game was revived and relocated to the Joseph S. Darling Memorial Stadium
in nearby Hampton, Virginia
where the Oyster Bowl now featured a match-up between Division III college teams.
In 2011, it was announced that the Oyster Bowl will be brought back to Foreman Field and feature Division 1 schools once again. Old Dominion University
will host James Madison University
in 2011.
* = Needs verification of participating teams.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game played annually in the Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
-area of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The game has featured match-ups between high school, NCAA Division III, and at present, NCAA Division I teams at various points in its existence. It is sponsored by the Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
-based Khedive Temple of the Shriners, with a portion of the revenue going to children's charity. The 2011 Oyster Bowl was the 62nd edition of the game.
During the first incarnation of the Oyster Bowl, it was held at Foreman Field
Foreman Field
Foreman Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium is a 19,818-seat multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. It opened in 1936 with a football game between the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary's Norfolk Division...
in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and with one exception, featured NCAA major college teams. The inaugural Oyster Bowl was held in 1946 between two high schools, the local Granby Comets
Granby High School
Granby High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Norfolk, Virginia. The high school is part of the Norfolk Public Schools system. It is the only high school in the school division that offers an International Baccalaureate program...
and the Clifton Mustangs of Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...
.
After a brief hiatus, the game was resurrected in 1948 and played continuously until 1995. At that time, the Oyster Bowl was discontinued for financial reasons. The series of games from 1946 to 1995 generated more than $3 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit hospitals across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’...
.
During the 1977 edition between East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates football
The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and...
and William & Mary
William & Mary Tribe football
The William & Mary Tribe are a college football team representing the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. William & Mary currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision. As of 2010, Jimmye Laycock is in his 31st...
, former East Carolina head coach Jim Johnson
Jim Johnson (coach)
Jim Johnson was an American football, basketball, and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He was tapped to reintroduce men's sports to East Carolina after World War II. He was the seventh head coach of the football, basketball and baseball teams at East Carolina Teachers...
, who was attending the game as a spectator, tackled a William & Mary player about to score the game-winning touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. Many well known players participated in the Oyster Bowl during the time it featured Division I teams. These include Ernie Davis
Ernie Davis
Ernest "Ernie" Davis was an American football running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Wearing number 44, Davis competed collegiately for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, then almost immediately traded to the Cleveland...
of Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
, Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
of SMU
SMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
, Bruce Smith of Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
, Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
of Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
, Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
, and Randy White
Randy White (American football)
Randall Lee "Randy" White is a former American football defensive lineman and linebacker. He attended the University of Maryland from 1971 to 1974, and played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1988. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
of Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
In 1999, the game was revived and relocated to the Joseph S. Darling Memorial Stadium
Joseph S. Darling Memorial Stadium
Joseph S. Darling Memorial Stadium, located in Hampton, Virginia, serves primarily as a high school football stadium, and also hosts various track-and-field meets, as well as marching band competitions. The 8,000-seat brick facility opened in 1989....
in nearby Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
where the Oyster Bowl now featured a match-up between Division III college teams.
In 2011, it was announced that the Oyster Bowl will be brought back to Foreman Field and feature Division 1 schools once again. Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
will host James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
in 2011.
Game results
| Year | Site | Winning team | Losing team | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.... |
Granby High School Granby High School Granby High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Norfolk, Virginia. The high school is part of the Norfolk Public Schools system. It is the only high school in the school division that offers an International Baccalaureate program... |
6 | Clifton High School | 0 |
| 1947 | No game held | ||||
| 1948 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 31 | Virginia Military Institute | 0 |
| *1949 | Norfolk, Virginia | NC State NC State Wolfpack football The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Wolfpack currently compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.... |
14 | Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Hokies football The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over... |
13 |
| 1950 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 34 | NC State | 0 |
| 1951 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke Duke Blue Devils football The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal... |
55 | Virginia Tech | 6 |
| 1952 | Norfolk, Virginia | South Carolina South Carolina Gamecocks football The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice... |
21 | Virginia Virginia Cavaliers football Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
14 |
| 1953 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke | 48 | Virginia | 6 |
| 1954 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy Navy Midshipmen football The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007... |
40 | Duke | 7 |
| 1955 | Norfolk, Virginia | North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels football The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566... |
32 | South Carolina | 14 |
| 1956 | Norfolk, Virginia | Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Panthers football Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football... |
27 | Duke | 14 |
| 1957 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy | 27 | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
14 |
| 1958 | Norfolk, Virginia | Tulane Tulane Green Wave football The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned... |
14 | Navy | 6 |
| 1959 | Norfolk, Virginia | Syracuse Syracuse Orange football The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision... |
32 | Navy | 6 |
| 1960 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy | 26 | Southern Methodist SMU Mustangs football The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA... |
7 |
| 1961 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke | 30 | Navy | 9 |
| 1962 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy | 32 | Pittsburgh | 9 |
| 1963 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy | 21 | Virginia Military Institute | 12 |
| *1964 | Norfolk, Virginia | Maryland Maryland Terrapins football The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
10 | North Carolina | 9 |
| 1965 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 3 | Southern Mississippi Southern Miss Golden Eagles football The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi... |
0 |
| *1966 | Norfolk, Virginia | Southern Miss | 7 | NC State | 6 |
| 1967 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke | 35 | Navy | 16 |
| 1968 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke | 30 | Maryland | 28 |
| 1969 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Tech | 48 | Duke | 12 |
| 1970 | Norfolk, Virginia | NC State | 7 | Maryland | 0 |
| 1971 | Norfolk, Virginia | Clemson Clemson Tigers football The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
3 | Duke | 0 |
| *1972 | Norfolk, Virginia | Duke | 17 | Navy | 16 |
| *1973 | Norfolk, Virginia | Maryland | 30 | Duke | 10 |
| 1974 | Norfolk, Virginia | Maryland | 56 | Duke | 13 |
| 1975 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Tech | 24 | William & Mary | 7 |
| 1976 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Military Institute | 13 | Virginia | 7 |
| 1977 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 21 | East Carolina East Carolina Pirates football The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and... |
17 |
| *1978 | Norfolk, Virginia | East Carolina | 21 | Richmond Richmond Spiders football The Richmond Spiders are a college football team representing the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond was the Division I Football Championship Subdivision champion for the 2008 season. Richmond currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I... |
14 |
| 1979 | Norfolk, Virginia | Navy | 24 | William & Mary | 7 |
| 1980 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Tech | 21 | Virginia Military Institute | 6 |
| 1981 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Military Institute | 14 | The Citadel | 0 |
| 1982 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Tech | 14 | Virginia Military Institute | 3 |
| *1983 | Norfolk, Virginia | The Citadel | 27 | Virginia Military Institute | 6 |
| 1984 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Tech | 54 | Virginia Military Institute | 7 |
| 1985 | Norfolk, Virginia | Richmond | 38 | James Madison | 15 |
| *1986 | Norfolk, Virginia | Temple Temple Owls football The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference... |
29 | Virginia Tech | 13 |
| 1987 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 17 | Virginia Military Institute | 6 |
| 1988 | Norfolk, Virginia | The Citadel | 30 | Virginia Military Institute | 20 |
| *1989 | Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia Military Institute | 20 | The Citadel | 10 |
| 1990 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 59 | Virginia Military Institute | 47 |
| 1991 | Norfolk, Virginia | The Citadel | 17 | Virginia Military Institute | 14 |
| 1992 | Norfolk, Virginia | Richmond | 41 | Virginia Military Institute | 18 |
| 1993 | Norfolk, Virginia | William & Mary | 49 | Virginia Military Institute | 6 |
| 1994 | Norfolk, Virginia | The Citadel | 58 | Virginia Military Institute | 14 |
| 1995 | Norfolk, Virginia | Georgia Southern Georgia Southern Eagles football The Georgia Southern Eagles represent Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Southern Conference under head coach Jeff Monken. The Eagles have won an unprecedented six FCS national championships and eight Southern Conference championships and have produced two Walter Payton Award... |
31 | Virginia Military Institute | 13 |
| 1996 | No game held | ||||
| 1997 | No game held | ||||
| 1998 | No game held | ||||
| 1999 | Hampton, Virginia Hampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts... |
Wesley | 48 | Apprentice | 33 |
| 2000 | Hampton, Virginia | Methodist College | 30 | Apprentice Apprentice Builders The Newport News Apprentice School athletic teams are known as the "Builders". The school is unique in that it does not grant degrees and therefore is not a member of either the NAIA or the NCAA, but has regularly competed in multiple sports against other degree-granting institutions in the... |
8 |
| 2001 | Hampton, Virginia | Christopher Newport Christopher Newport Captains football The Christopher Newport Captains football team represents Christopher Newport University in the NCAA Division III, competing as part of the USA South Athletic Conference . Christopher Newport plays its home games at the 4,200 seat Pomoco Stadium, which is located on-campus in Newport News, Virginia... |
14 | Ferrum | 11 |
| 2002 | Hampton, Virginia | Salisbury | 48 | Apprentice | 17 |
| 2003 | Hampton, Virginia | Bridgewater | 58 | Catholic | 20 |
| 2004 | Hampton, Virginia | Christopher Newport | 21 | Bridgewater | 16 |
| 2005 | Hampton, Virginia | Wesley | 45 | Apprentice | 0 |
| 2006 | Hampton, Virginia | Apprentice | 37 | Chowan | 0 |
| 2007 | Hampton, Virginia | Chowan | 61 | Apprentice | 55 |
| 2008 | Hampton, Virginia | Apprentice | 37 | Southern Virginia Southern Virginia University Southern Virginia University is a liberal arts college located in Buena Vista, Virginia that promotes standards and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while not being owned nor operated by the Church... |
14 |
| 2009 | Hampton, Virginia | Southern Virginia | 14 | Apprentice | 10 |
| 2010 | Hampton, Virginia | Webber International Webber International University -External links:* -- Official web site* -- Official athletics web site* at -References:... |
40 | Apprentice | 7 |
| 2011 | Norfolk, Virginia | Old Dominion 2011 Old Dominion Monarchs football team The 2011 Old Dominion Monarchs football team represents Old Dominion University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Monarchs are led by third year head coach Bobby Wilder and play their home games at Foreman Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium. They are a member of the Colonial Athletic... |
23 | James Madison 2011 James Madison Dukes football team The 2011 James Madison Dukes football team represents James Madison University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Dukes are led by 13th year head coach Mickey Matthews and play their home games at Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field. They are a member of the Colonial... |
20 |
Results
- Navy Football History, United States Naval Academy, 2005. (1954, 1957, 1958, 1961–*1963, 1967, 1972, 1979)
- 2008 VMI Football Guide, Virginia Military Institute, 2008. (1948, *1963, 1976, 1980–1982, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990–1995)
- College Football Programs (1953, 1955, 1956, 1959)
- Inventory of the Edmund M. Cameron Records, 1929 - 1972, Duke University. (1967–1969)
- 1951 Oyster Bowl Program, eBay, retrieved February 5, 2009. (1951)
- College football preview, The Virginia-Pilot, October 11, 2008. (1985)