Leatherneck Bowl

Last updated
Leatherneck Bowl
Stadium Balboa Stadium
Location San Diego
Operated1958–1964

The Leatherneck Bowl was an annual American football bowl game held in San Diego. Originally contested between Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and another top military service football teams, it became an annual matchup between San Diego and Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1961.

Contents

History

The inaugural Leatherneck Bowl took place at Balboa Stadium on December 14, 1958 between the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Devil Dogs and Camp Lejeune. The game was open to the public and proceeds were donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. [1] An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 attendees, including 7,000 Navy and Marine recruits, watched San Diego beat Camp Lejeune 62–22. Halfback Billy Martin led the scoring for San Diego with three touchdowns (two rushing and one on a pass from Vern Valdez) and fullback Kenny Lutterbach scored two more. [2] [3]

The second Leatherneck Bowl was held on December 6, 1959 and benefited the San Diego County United Fund, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and the Air Force Aid Society. [4] 19,000 spectators saw San Diego beat Bolling Air Force Base 41–14. Alvin Hall was the game's leading scorer with three touchdowns and Billy Martin added two more. [5]

The 1960 game saw the top West Coast service team (San Diego) play the best team from the East, the Quantico Marines Devil Dogs. [6] Quantico won 36–6. King Dixon was the game's most valuable player, scoring three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown on a pass from Tom Maudlin. [7]

In 1961, Naval Air Station Pensacola, quarterbacked by former Navy All-American Joe Tranchini, defeated San Diego 21–15 in front of fans 25,102. [8] The teams faced off again in 1962 and San Diego won the rematch 16–7. [9] 28,000 fans turned out to watch the rubber match in 1963. San Diego won the game 44–7, led by Hugh Oldham's three touchdowns. [10] The final Leatherneck Bowl took place on November 22, 1964. 18,577 fans turned out to see San Diego beat Pensacola 15–6. [11]

All-time scores

Date playedWinning teamLosing team
December 14, 1958 San Diego Marines 62 Camp Lejeune 22
December 6, 1959San Diego Marines41 Bolling AFB 14
December 11, 1960 Quantico Marines 36San Diego Marines6
November 22, 1961 NAS Pensacola 21San Diego Marines15
November 3, 1962San Diego Marines16NAS Pensacola7
November 17, 1963San Diego Marines44NAS Pensacola7
November 22, 1964San Diego Marines15NAS Pensacola6

References

  1. ↑ "Marines Plan Bowl Dec. 14 At San Diego". Blade Tribune. November 28, 1958. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "San Diego '11' Rips Lejeune". Long Beach Independent. December 15, 1958. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Olsen, Eddie (December 15, 1958). "S.D. Marines Ambush Camp Le jeune Gridders In Leatherneck Contest". Blade Tribune. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  4. ↑ Chilson, Lee (November 15, 1959). "South Bay Scene". Star-News National City and Chula Vista. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ram Draftee's Three Touchdowns Pace MCRD Win". North County Times. November 7, 1959. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Marine Corps Bowl Game Set Dec. 11 at Balboa". Star-News National City and Chula Vista. December 4, 1960. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Dickson (sic) Sparks Quantico To Win Over SD Marines". North County Times. December 12, 1960. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Marines Drop Bows Contest To Pensacola" (PDF). The Camp Lejeune Globe. November 23, 1961. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "S.D. Marines Win". San Bernardino Sun. November 4, 1962. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "MCRD Rips Pensacola in Leatherneck Bowl". North County Times. November 18, 1963. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Marines Win Donnybrook Over Sailors". Oakland Tribune. November 23, 1964. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
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