Ouachita Stories

Tradition is history. It creates stories and memories. It reminds us of the past and prepares us for the future. Ouachita is a university rich in tradition, and this year marks the 89^th Battle of the Ravine football game, one of the grandest traditions known across college campuses.

A tradition that dates back more than a century to 1895, the Battle of the Ravine football game between Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University will be played Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at Cliff Harris Stadium. The Ouachita Tigers are looking to repeat the outcome of last year’s game, a victory over the HSU Reddies.

This tradition “ties students, faculty and staff together in common support for our student-athletes, regardless of their sport or role in that sport,” said Dr. Kevin Motl, faculty sponsor of Tiger Nation, Ouachita’s student spirit organization. “That cohesion builds loyalty that lasts a lifetime and can influence alumni giving, student recruitment and an institution’s public profile.”

“One of the cool things about Battle of the Ravine is that it's one of Ouachita's longest standing traditions that involves every student and brings you closer, not only as a class, but as a Ouachita community,” said Student Senate President Josh Rubin, a senior biology major from Dallas, Texas. Student Senate coordinates a tradition of each class taking turns guarding the Tiger statue in the center of campus.

“Especially guarding the Tiger, you are given the opportunity to meet more of your classmates and come together with the same goal, to support OBU and the Tigers,” Rubin noted.

“School pride, of course, is why you should get involved with Battle of the Ravine events all throughout the week,” said Junior Class President Haley Brown, a junior education major from Stuttgart, Ark. “Guarding, pep rallies, game, everything ­­– it's just so much fun coming together as a school to support our team.”

The Battle of the Ravine game is unique not only because it is the oldest college football rivalry in NCAA Division II, but also because of the proximity of the two universities.

“Their closeness provides a perpetual reminder of the rivalry and keeps those embers well-stoked even when the fire of competition isn’t necessarily burning,” noted Motl. “That’s the critical element; it’s not just the student-athletes who are engaged in the sport – we all are.”

Social clubs and organizations will host various events near the Tiger throughout the week that are open to all Ouachita students in addition to guarding the statue. Campus Activity Board will host a screening of “Ant Man” at 8:30 p.m. on Monday night, social clubs will provide refreshments and other events Tuesday through Thursday evenings and the OBU Cheer Squad will lead a pep rally and bonfire at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

In addition to campus events, KATV-7 will air a Battle of the Ravine pep rally live from Cliff Harris Stadium on Friday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Tailgating will begin at Cliff Harris Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., leading up to the 1 p.m. kickoff.

Tickets for the game may be purchased in the OBU Business Services office, 140 Cone Bottoms Hall, Nov. 9-13, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Current Ouachita students receive free admission with a valid OBU ID.

“There is power in shared experience. Students who guard the Tiger do so with their academic classes; that builds a bond between the members of their class, and Battle of the Ravine Week events are a great way to build that camaraderie,” added Motl. “It also connects us all more intimately to the institution as a whole; students become one student body, not just this club or that major or that residence hall. Being a part of it will give you stories that you’ll tell for the rest of your lives.”

For more information on the Battle of the Ravine student events at Ouachita, contact Student Senate President Josh Rubin at [email protected].

 

By Ali Robinson