This story, again, concerns college football so those of you who are bored by it (Marco?) may move on.
Back in 1901, Fielding Yost became the head coach at Michigan after which the Wolverines won 28 straight games. In the meantime, the Minnesota Gophers, a Big 10 rival of Michigan's, assembled one of the best teams in school history, so Gopher fans were excited about possibly ending the Wolverines' streak. They were to meet in Minnesota and Yost was afraid that Minnesota would contaminate Michigan's water supply during the game. Early 20th century mentality for you. Yost asked the team manager to purchase something to carry water in for the team during the game. The manager purchased a 5 gallon jug for 30 cents from a local five-and-dime.
20,000 fans watched the matchup between the two teams in an overflowing Northrop Field. Minnesota held the fabled "point-a-minute" squad to just one touchdown, but hadn't yet managed to score a touchdown of their own. Finally, late in the second half, the Gophers reached the endzone to tie the game at 6–6. As clouds from an impending snowstorm hung overhead, pandemonium struck when Minnesota fans stormed the field in celebration. Eventually the game had to be called with two minutes remaining. The Wolverines walked off the field, leaving the jug behind.
It's a mystery as to why the jug was left behind. Was it stolen by Minnesota? Was it accidentally left behind? Perhaps Yost figured that it had served its purpose and left it behind intentionally. Still, Oscar Munson (the custodian who found the jug) and L.J. Cooke (head of the Minnesota Athletics Department) were excited to have this little bit of memorabilia, proceeding to paint it brown (it had originally been putty-colored) and commemorate the day by writing "Michigan Jug – Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" on the side along with the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6". Of course, in the spirit of the moment, Minnesota's score was written many times larger than that of Michigan.
Later, Yost wanted the jug back, and sent a letter asking for it to be returned. Cooke wrote in response: "We have your little brown jug; if you want it, you’ll have to win it." Michigan did exactly that when the teams met up again in 1909, and repeated the performance in 1910. Over the years, Michigan has owned the jug with only slight interuptions from time to time when Minnesota can pull out a victory.
Well, last year, Minnesota won for the first time since 1986. In Michigan, no less. It was such a frustrating site: As soon as the clock hit 0:00 all the Minnesota players elatedly ran to the Michigan sidelines, found the jug and hoisted it over their heads as they carried it off the field.
Michigan plays at Minnesota this Saturday at 8:00pm EDT on ESPN.
Each year Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr gathers his team, usually the Sunday before game week, and discusses the trophy's history. At Sunday's team meeting, Carr asked one of the younger players to re-tell the story. "Terrence Taylor volunteered. He knew the essentials. He knew the fundamental story," Carr said Monday. "Unfortunately, I was unable to show our team what it looks like. I love the Little Brown Jug. Looking back at it, the history and tradition of that trophy, it's the oldest in college football history -- which you all know, and you probably don't care.
"If you're a Michigan football player, if you're a Minnesota football player, I guarantee you care."
I'm just a fan, but I care, too.
Article citations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Brown_Jug_(football)
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/SPORTS06/609260400/1054/SPORTS