The Rivalry Earns an Historical Marker

An historic state marker now stands as testament to the significance of the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry—the most-played rivalry in college football.

The blue marker was unveiled with much fanfare Friday at the site of the former Taylor Stadium, where the Mountain Hawks played from 1914 to 1988 before moving to Goodman Stadium.

The Marching 97 heralded the dedication, joined by President John Simon, state lawmakers Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton; Bob Freeman, D-Northampton; and Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton; and other dignitaries, on the south side of the Rauch Business Center.

In welcoming guests, Joe Sterrett, the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics at Lehigh, noted “the dedication of an historic marker on an historic site the day before an historic game.” 

The Mountain Hawks and Leopards met for the 152nd time on Saturday, Nov. 19. Lehigh won, 45-21.

Bill Lewis, a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and chairman of its history marker selection committee, told those gathered for the dedication that the state’s historical markers are not easy to secure. Out of the 100 or so nominations that are made each year, he said, only about a dozen are selected.

“What are marked are things that have statewide, national and international significance,” Lewis said. “And what is more iconic to the history of our Commonwealth than a rivalry between two of our finest institutions of higher learning?”

John Pettegrew, associate professor of history at Lehigh, talked about the significance of the school spirit that The Rivalry stirs up. “That joining in of the student body and really them being a part of The Rivalry and the game is just tantamount to The Rivalry itself,” he said.

“Yes, we need to have the game played, but I think far more important than…who wins or loses, it is the surrounding traditions, the pomp and circumstance, the music, the energy, the school spirit that really solidifies a rivalry such as Lehigh-Layfayette. 

“There’s a democratic quality to it,” he said. “All students belong, and the players are their representatives.”

 
Photos by Christa Neu