I recently purchased a stack of Reflectors from 1936-1938 and came across an article written prior to the 1936 Battle of the Golden Egg. I thought I'd share the history as recorded then, just 10 years into the trophy's existence. This also specifies the rules / procedures of the post-game ceremony.
The Maroons went on to win the 1936 game and end a 10-year winless streak. The headline from the post-game Reflector reads MAROONS HUMBLE REBELS 9-7.
See you clowns in Memphis.
HISTORY OF THE GOLDEN EGG - Wednesday, November 18, 1936
Mississippi State will make its tenth straight bid for possession of the famous "Golden Egg" trophy which has remained in the hands of the University of Mississippi since it was first offered in the fall of 1927.
As an aftermath of the hectic goalpost episode on the 1926 game which resulted in a general free-for-all when the Ole Miss supporters attempted to take the goal posts after the game, the student bodies of both institutions sent a group to a meeting to draft a constitution for some sort of trophy which was to take the place of such demonstrations.
Following is a copy of this original document which has been carefully preserved in the files of this school:
"We, the students of the University of Mississippi and of Mississippi A. & M. College, in order to effect a better understanding in athletic relations, to foster clean sportsmanship, and to promote a lasting tradition, do hereby enter into this agreement; to wit:
(1). That a gold football of regulation size and mounted on a metal base be purchased jointly by the student bodies of teh two institutions, the cost to be divided equally.
(2). That this trophy be known as "The Golden Egg".
(3) And that it shall be presented immediately after each football game between the University of Mississippi and Miss. A. & M. in the following manner:
(a) Immediately after the game ends, the student bodies will rise and sign the Alma Mater songs, the student body of the winning team singing first and the second following after the first has finished.
(b) That while the singing is in progress the chancellor of the University and the President of the A. & M. College, together with the presidents of the student bodies and the captains of the respective football teams shall meet in the middle of the field where the Chancellor or the President shall present to the winner as the case may be, "The Golden Egg," and he will in turn present it to the Captain of the winning team.
(c) That the winning team shall have possession of "The Golden Egg" for one year or until the other team shall win the right to it.
(d) That in case of a tie the team winning the previous year shall maintain possession of "The Golden Egg" for a period of five months after the game when it will then be presented to the other institution at the regular chapel period by representatives of the school then holding it, the former to continue in possession of it until the next game.
(e) That the year and the score be engraved on "The Golden Egg" after each game.
(f) And that the student bodies regard the ceremony of presentation after each game as a part of the agreement and enter into the spirit of the occasion cheerfully and with due respect to the obligations binding them to the agreement."
With the reception of the 1929 season when the teams battled to a 7-7 tie, this trophy has remained in the possession of Ole Miss. Maroon squads have fought gamely to the end at every game, but have been unable to break that jinx which has held them from victory since 1925 when the Maroons took a hard fought victory from the Mudcats by a 6-0 score.
Annually, "The Golden Egg" makes its appearance upon the gridiron, plays its part in the ceremonies, and then retires from the public eye to the campus of the winning team, to remain there for a period of one year to inspire future teams striving for greater honors.
Its primary purpose is to quell the young riots that had for such a long time been a black eye on the records of the two schools, and to create a tradition of honor and sportsmanship between the two schools.
During its brief reign, this trophy has hatched a spirited bond of that friendship and rivalry that is typical of the true sportsman. "The Golden Egg" has served its purpose and will continue to serve it as well.
The Maroons went on to win the 1936 game and end a 10-year winless streak. The headline from the post-game Reflector reads MAROONS HUMBLE REBELS 9-7.
See you clowns in Memphis.
HISTORY OF THE GOLDEN EGG - Wednesday, November 18, 1936
Mississippi State will make its tenth straight bid for possession of the famous "Golden Egg" trophy which has remained in the hands of the University of Mississippi since it was first offered in the fall of 1927.
As an aftermath of the hectic goalpost episode on the 1926 game which resulted in a general free-for-all when the Ole Miss supporters attempted to take the goal posts after the game, the student bodies of both institutions sent a group to a meeting to draft a constitution for some sort of trophy which was to take the place of such demonstrations.
Following is a copy of this original document which has been carefully preserved in the files of this school:
"We, the students of the University of Mississippi and of Mississippi A. & M. College, in order to effect a better understanding in athletic relations, to foster clean sportsmanship, and to promote a lasting tradition, do hereby enter into this agreement; to wit:
(1). That a gold football of regulation size and mounted on a metal base be purchased jointly by the student bodies of teh two institutions, the cost to be divided equally.
(2). That this trophy be known as "The Golden Egg".
(3) And that it shall be presented immediately after each football game between the University of Mississippi and Miss. A. & M. in the following manner:
(a) Immediately after the game ends, the student bodies will rise and sign the Alma Mater songs, the student body of the winning team singing first and the second following after the first has finished.
(b) That while the singing is in progress the chancellor of the University and the President of the A. & M. College, together with the presidents of the student bodies and the captains of the respective football teams shall meet in the middle of the field where the Chancellor or the President shall present to the winner as the case may be, "The Golden Egg," and he will in turn present it to the Captain of the winning team.
(c) That the winning team shall have possession of "The Golden Egg" for one year or until the other team shall win the right to it.
(d) That in case of a tie the team winning the previous year shall maintain possession of "The Golden Egg" for a period of five months after the game when it will then be presented to the other institution at the regular chapel period by representatives of the school then holding it, the former to continue in possession of it until the next game.
(e) That the year and the score be engraved on "The Golden Egg" after each game.
(f) And that the student bodies regard the ceremony of presentation after each game as a part of the agreement and enter into the spirit of the occasion cheerfully and with due respect to the obligations binding them to the agreement."
With the reception of the 1929 season when the teams battled to a 7-7 tie, this trophy has remained in the possession of Ole Miss. Maroon squads have fought gamely to the end at every game, but have been unable to break that jinx which has held them from victory since 1925 when the Maroons took a hard fought victory from the Mudcats by a 6-0 score.
Annually, "The Golden Egg" makes its appearance upon the gridiron, plays its part in the ceremonies, and then retires from the public eye to the campus of the winning team, to remain there for a period of one year to inspire future teams striving for greater honors.
Its primary purpose is to quell the young riots that had for such a long time been a black eye on the records of the two schools, and to create a tradition of honor and sportsmanship between the two schools.
During its brief reign, this trophy has hatched a spirited bond of that friendship and rivalry that is typical of the true sportsman. "The Golden Egg" has served its purpose and will continue to serve it as well.
