Harvest Bowl

Last updated
Harvest Bowl (defunct)
Stadium Victory Stadium
Location Roanoke, Virginia
Operated1958–1969
Conference tie-insNone
Sponsors
Junior League of Roanoke Valley

The Harvest Bowl was a college football game held at Victory Stadium in Roanoke, Virginia from 1958 to 1969. Despite its "bowl" designation, it was not a postseason game, but a regular season neutral-site contest featuring major college football programs from the state of Virginia. In addition to Virginia and Virginia Tech (then branded as VPI, after its official name, Virginia Polytechnic Institute), at the time these included William & Mary and VMI, which today compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Seven of the games included two of these four teams, while the other five featured one of them against an out-of-state rival. Five times in its twelve-year existence, the Harvest Bowl hosted the annual Virginia–Virginia Tech rivalry game. It never featured the VMI-Virginia Tech rivalry game, which at the time was played annually in Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day.

The Harvest Bowl served as Roanoke's counterpart to the more successful and longer-lasting Tobacco Bowl in Richmond, Virginia, and Oyster Bowl in Norfolk, Virginia, which were also regular season neutral-site games. The game served as the centerpiece of an annual festival weekend featuring a parade, the crowning of a bowl queen, and other community events. The Harvest Bowl was unique in its time as a men's intercollegiate athletic event run by a women's civic organization, the Junior League of Roanoke Valley.

The inaugural contest drew 24,836 fans to the 25,000-seat stadium, [1] and attendance remained strong as long as the game featured local favorite Virginia Tech. After the construction of Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, which opened in 1965 with a capacity of 35,000, Virginia Tech became less interested in playing neutral-site games in Roanoke, and the Harvest Bowl lost its biggest drawing card.

Ironically, the most memorable game did not involve Virginia Tech, nor was it remembered for the action on the field. The 1967 Harvest Bowl matchup of the South's two state-run military academies, VMI and The Citadel, included "a brief but action-filled fight early in the fourth quarter" after Citadel cadets hung a derogatory bedsheet banner behind the south end zone, and a contingent of VMI cadets left the home stand to tear it down. The two corps of cadets then "poured out of the stands and took turns throwing punches at each other," forcing a stoppage in the game. "Police finally restored order and the game was completed in an orderly fashion," with VMI winning in an upset, 22–11. [2]

Harvest Bowl attendance dwindled after 1965, and the final game in 1969 (even with Virginia Tech participating once again) drew just 6,000. [3] In announcing the demise of the bowl in February 1970, Junior League leaders cited "insufficient ticket sales" and "increased public apathy." [4] The twelve games combined netted $114,483 for the organization's charitable activities, [5] the equivalent of just over $1 million in today's currency.

Game results

AnnualDateWinnerLoserRef.
1stOctober 11, 1958 VPI 22 Virginia 13 [6]
2ndOctober 3, 1959 VPI 20 William & Mary 14 [7]
3rdOctober 22, 1960 VPI 40 Virginia 6 [8]
4thOctober 21, 1961 VPI 20 Virginia 0 [9]
5thOctober 6, 1962 VPI 20 Virginia 15 [10]
6thOctober 5, 1963 VPI 10 Virginia 0 [11]
7thSeptember 26, 1964 Wake Forest 38 VPI 21 [12]
8thSeptember 18, 1965 VPI 12 Wake Forest 3 [13]
9thSeptember 24, 1966 Georgia 43 VMI 7 [14]
10thOctober 14, 1967 VMI 22 The Citadel 11 [15]
11thOctober 11, 1968 West Virginia 14 VMI 7 [16]
12thNovember 1, 1969 VPI 48 William & Mary 7 [17]

Related Research Articles

Victory Stadium was an American football stadium located in Roanoke, Virginia. It opened in 1942 and was demolished in 2006.

The 1905 VPI football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1905 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Sally Miles, the team went 9–1 and claims a Southern championship. The team had the most wins in a Virginia Tech season for many years to come, and defeated rival Virginia for the first time. Tech outscored its opponents 305 to 24. Hunter Carpenter scored 82 of those points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMI–Virginia Tech football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The VMI–Virginia Tech football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Keydets of Virginia Military Institute and the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The teams first played in 1894 and last played in 1984. They are scheduled to meet again in 2026, after a 42-year hiatus. The two schools are only about 80 miles apart in western Virginia and were in the same conference from 1924 to 1964.

The 1963 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. It was the only Southern Conference football championship Tech won during its tenure in the leage, 1921-1965.

The 1966 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as an independent during the 1966 NCAA University Division football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 8–2–1 and were defeated by Miami (FL) in the Liberty Bowl. VPI played home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 1942 VPI Gobblers football team represented Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute in the 1942 college football season. The team was led by their head coaches Sumner D. Tilson and Herbert McEver and finished with a record of seven wins, two losses and one tie (7–2–1).

The 1946 VPI Gobblers football team was an American football team that represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1946 college football season. In their second year under head coach Jimmy Kitts, the Gobblers compiled a 3–4–3 record, lost to Cincinnati in the 1947 Sun Bowl, and were outscored by a total of 149 to 102.

The 1948 VPI Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1948 college football season. The team was led by their head coach Robert McNeish and finished with a record of zero wins, eight losses and one tie (0–8–1).

The 1949 VPI Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1949 college football season. The team was led by their head coach Robert McNeish and finished with a record of one win, seven losses and two ties (1–7–2).

The 1950 VPI Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1950 college football season. The team was led by their head coach Robert McNeish and finished with a record of zero wins and ten losses (0–10).

The 1968 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as an independent during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 7–4 and with a loss against Ole Miss in the Liberty Bowl. VPI played home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 1969 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as an independent during the 1969 NCAA University Division football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 4–5–1. VPI played home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 1965 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as an independent during the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 7–3. VPI played home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1954 VPI Gobblers football team</span> American college football season

The 1954 VPI Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now known as Virginia Tech, in the 1954 college football season. The team, coached by Frank Moseley, had an 8–0-1 record. The team was ranked 16th in the final Associated Press poll. Three major college football teams had perfect records in 1954, but the Gobblers only prevailed over one team with a winning record, fellow Southern Conference member Richmond, which was 5–4.

The 1953 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1953 college football season. Led by third-year head coach Frank Moseley the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 5–5 with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, and finished ted for fifth in the SoCon. VPI played home games at Miles Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 1962 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. Led by second-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 5–5 with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, and finished sixth in the SoCon. VPI played home games at Miles Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 1951 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the 1951 college football season. The team was led by their first-year head coach Frank Moseley and finished with a record of two wins and eight losses (2–8).

The 1921 VMI Keydets football team was an American football team that represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) during the 1921 college football season as a member of the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In their second year under head coach Blandy Clarkson, the team compiled an overall record of 3–5–1.

The 1938 VMI Keydets football team was an American football team that represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) during the 1938 college football season as a member of the Southern Conference. In their second year under head coach Pooley Hubert, the team compiled an overall record of 6–1–4.

References

  1. ↑ "Junior League Clears $11,778 on Bowl Game". The World-News (Roanoke, Virginia). 17 November 1964. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Quay Leads VMI Over Citadel, 22-11". The Charlotte Observer. 15 October 1967. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Big Second Half Turns Game Into Rout". The Danville Register. 2 November 1969. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Football Called Off By League". The World-News (Roanoke, Virginia). 6 February 1970. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "A Capsule History". Roanoke Times . 17 October 1976. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "VPI Beats UVa 22-13 In First Harvest Bowl". Roanoke Times . 12 October 1958. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "VPI Beats William & Mary, 20-14, Before 19,000 in Harvest Bowl". Roanoke Times . 4 October 1959. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Alert Tech Wins Third Bowl Game". Roanoke Times . 23 October 1960. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Tech Harvests 20-0 Victory Over Virginia". Roanoke Times . 22 October 1961. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Tech 20-15 Winner in 5th Harvest Bowl". Roanoke Times . 7 October 1962. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Utz and Cranwell Score as Hokies Tip Virginia, 10-0". Roanoke Times . 6 October 1963. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Wake Forest Stuns Tech, 38-21". The World-News (Roanoke, Virginia). 27 September 1964. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Virginia Tech Harvest Bowl Reaper, 12-3". Roanoke Times . 19 September 1965. Retrieved 1 December 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "'Twas Wrong League For Spirited VMI". The World-News (Roanoke, Virginia). 26 September 1966. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "VMI wins Cadet dual by 22 to 11". The News and Observer. 15 October 1967. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "West Virginia nips stubborn VMI, 14–7". The Weirton Daily Times. 12 October 1968. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Big Second Half Turns Game Into Rout". The Danville Register. 2 November 1969. Retrieved 9 March 2023– via Newspapers.com.
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