Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University students are preparing for the annual Battle of the Ravine Week starting Monday, Nov. 11. After the week full of activities on and off campus, the Ouachita Tigers and the Henderson State University Reddies football teams will square off in the Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. at OBU’s A.U Williams Field.

The Battle of the Ravine rivalry football game dates back to 1895, one of the oldest rivalries in the NCAA. Many clubs and organizations host events and traditions that make the week memorable, including each class taking turns guarding Ouachita’s tiger statue in the middle of campus around the clock.

“I think Battle of the Ravine is a great week because it allows every student to come together for the common purpose of supporting our school,” said Gracie Lundstrum, a junior mass communications major from Springdale, Ark. Lundstrum also serves on Student Senate, which will coordinate many of the activities throughout the week.

Monday, Nov. 11, EEE women’s social club and Beta Beta men’s social club will host a chili dinner and will be playing Monday night football in the middle of campus starting at 7 p.m. The senior class will guard the tiger beginning at 9 p.m.

During chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 12, students will receive ribbons to raise awareness and cultivate spirit for the Tiger for Life campaign, a project of the OBU Office of Development. The juniors will begin guarding the tiger at 10 p.m. following the AfterDark concert hosted by Kanakuk Kamps and OBU Campus Ministries in Jones Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. The concert will feature music artists such as Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors as well as FEDEL, a hip-hop artist. Joe White will speak on the topic “Is Jesus Relevant Today?” The event is free and open to the public.

“AfterDark is far more than a concert; it’s a catalyst for conversation, investigation and a night that offers authentic hope,” said Jeremy Dixon, a junior mass communications and Christian studies major from Benton, Ark. “It has reached over 400,000 students across the nation, and I am excited to see this event come to Arkadelphia.”

Kappa Chi men’s social club will sponsor a car bash on Wednesday, Nov. 13, starting at 8 p.m., and Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club will provide refreshments. The sophomore class will guard the tiger starting at 8 p.m.

Rho Sigma men’s social club will host a pep rally starting at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the Rachel Fuller & Ouachita Singers Memorial Amphitheatre followed by a bonfire. Ouachita's volleyball team will take on Henderson State at 7 p.m. in HSU's Duke Wells Center. Refuge, Ouachita’s student-led worship service, will meet at Second Baptist Church at 9 p.m. Tri Chi women’s social club will serve s’mores and hot chocolate in the middle of campus beginning at 10:30 p.m. Freshmen will guard the tiger starting at 10 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 15, KATV Channel 7 will broadcast a live Battle of the Ravine pep rally from A.U. Williams Field during its 6 a.m. “Daybreak” show. Students and supporters from both universities are invited to attend. Rho Sigma men’s social club will guard the tiger that night.

That evening, Battle of the Ravine Rally will begin throughout the Arkadelphia community. Carnival rides, a zipline and a photo booth will open at 5 p.m., and a powder puff football game and a Baggo tournament will kick off at 6 p.m. The night will close with a Backroad Anthem concert at 8 p.m. All rally events are held at the Henderson State intramural fields.

Saturday, Nov. 16, will start with the Battle Bash Color Dash 5K at 8 a.m., followed by the Andy Allison Fun Run at 9 a.m. Carnival games, rides and a zipline will also open at 9 a.m. Tailgating will begin at 11 a.m., and the Shari Bales Band will perform at 12 noon. Then to climax the week’s festivities, the Ouachita Tigers will kick off at 2 p.m. against the Henderson Reddies at A.U. Williams Field on Ouachita’s campus.

“My favorite part about the Battle of the Ravine week is definitely the actual showdown of the football game,” said Justin Young, a senior business administration and management major from Springdale, Ark. “The intense rivalry adds to my support for the OBU football team; I want to see them dominate and bring Ouachita a victory.”

For more information on Battle of the Ravine events at Ouachita, contact Gracie Lundstrum from OBU Student Senate at [email protected]. For information on Battle of the Ravine Rally events, visit www.facebook.com/battleoftheravine.

By Jessica Stewart