Monon Bell

Monon Bell. The Monon Bell is the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual NCAA Division III football game between DePauw University and Wabash College, two private liberal arts institutions in Indiana. It is one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in college football, dating back to 1890. The rivalry is centered on a 300-pound locomotive bell, which has been stolen, ransomed, and fiercely contested for nearly a century, embodying the intense competition between the schools.

History

The football series between DePauw University and Wabash College began in 1890, with early games often played on Thanksgiving Day in cities like Indianapolis and Crawfordsville, Indiana. The rivalry intensified throughout the early 20th century, paralleling the growth of conference athletics in the region. The introduction of the locomotive bell as a trophy in 1932, following a suggestion by a DePauw alumnus who was an executive with the Monon Railroad, permanently transformed the contest. This period also saw the involvement of notable figures like Knute Rockne, who coached at Wabash early in his career, adding to the rivalry's lore. The continuity of the game through events like World War II and its evolution under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association has cemented its place in the annals of American football.

The Bell

The trophy is an actual 300-pound brass bell from a Monon Railroad locomotive, mounted on a wheeled cart. Originally used on trains that served both Greencastle, Indiana and Crawfordsville, Indiana, the bell was obtained through the railroad's president, a Wabash College graduate. Its physicality is central to the rivalry; the winning school traditionally paints its side of the bell's supporting frame in its school colors—Old Gold for DePauw and Scarlet for Wabash. The bell is famously kept under tight security, a necessity born from a history of pranks and thefts, including a notable 1965 incident where Wabash College students successfully stole it from DePauw University.

Game traditions

Game week is marked by spirited traditions and pranks orchestrated by students from both DePauw University and Wabash College. These include the "Bell Run," where students from the visiting school attempt a symbolic run to the opponent's campus. A joint pep rally in Indianapolis, known as the "Pepsi-Cola Bell Rally," was a long-standing event. The game itself, often televised on regional networks like WISH-TV, features massive alumni gatherings and the ringing of the bell by the winning team at the final whistle. The post-game celebration sees the victors transporting the trophy back to their campus, where it is displayed in a prominent location such as the Lilly Library or Chadwick Court.

Notable games

The series has featured numerous dramatic contests decided in the final moments. The 1965 game, infamous for the "Little Giants" fumble recovery, was a defensive struggle. The 2001 contest, a 34-31 victory for Wabash College, was sealed by an interception in the end zone as time expired. A 2004 thriller saw DePauw University win 14-13 after a blocked extra point in the final minute. The 2007 "Blackstock Game" ended in a 24-21 win for Wabash after a last-second field goal. More recently, the 2019 game, a 20-17 overtime win for DePauw, was highlighted by a game-tying Hail Mary pass as regulation ended.

Cultural impact

The Monon Bell rivalry transcends sports, deeply influencing campus life and alumni culture at both DePauw University and Wabash College. It has been the subject of a documentary film by WFYI and chronicled in books like "The Monon Bell" by William D. Dannenmaier. The game is a major fundraising and reunion event, drawing thousands of alumni back to Indiana each November. Its legacy is celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame, which has recognized the rivalry as one of the best in the nation. The intense but generally respectful competition exemplifies the traditions of NCAA Division III athletics and the enduring nature of institutional rivalries in the Midwestern United States.

Category:American college football rivalries Category:Sports in Indiana Category:NCAA Division III football