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Post by The Cats on Sept 25, 2018 10:23:57 GMT -5
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 24, 2018) – The rivalry between ETSU and Chattanooga football will take on a new tradition this weekend, as the “Rail Rivalry” will be born with the introduction of a new railroad-inspired trophy that will go to the winner of the annual contest.
Because both universities and the cities in which they are located share a proud history within the railroad industry, the new rail trophy will stand as a symbol of that heritage and provide both teams an extra incentive to bring home The Rail each year. The Rail will move back and forth between the programs depending on the winner of the game and that exchange will occur on the field following each contest. The Bucs and Mocs will meet inside William B. Greene Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night to determine who will take home The Rail first.
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Post by catamountalum04 on Sept 25, 2018 20:58:47 GMT -5
This makes me miss App and the Jug games. I have a feeling we will never have a rival again.
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Post by wcugrad95 on Sept 26, 2018 6:39:32 GMT -5
UTC and ETSU - makes sense
VMI and Citadel - makes sense
Furman and Citadel - makes sense
Wofford is trying to have one with Furman - makes sense with 2 small privates that close together
That leaves Samford (small private in Alabama), Mercer (decent sized private in Georgia), and us (public in NC). In my opinion, you can't really force a rivalry. Just like Citadel has 2 and Furman is on the verge of 2, over time something will have to develop based on the games between us and somebody else. We had been so bad for so long it was hard, but if we really are to the point winning seasons are normal, eventually there will be a team that we become each other's measuring stick and a game that decides pecking order/possible playoff spots.
Mercer seems to be the one on a similar rise to WCU in football. But not sure anybody (from either school) considers it a rivalry over any other conference game.
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Post by wcatradio75 on Sept 26, 2018 16:22:26 GMT -5
UTC and ETSU - makes sense VMI and Citadel - makes sense Furman and Citadel - makes sense Wofford is trying to have one with Furman - makes sense with 2 small privates that close together That leaves Samford (small private in Alabama), Mercer (decent sized private in Georgia), and us (public in NC). In my opinion, you can't really force a rivalry. Just like Citadel has 2 and Furman is on the verge of 2, over time something will have to develop based on the games between us and somebody else. We had been so bad for so long it was hard, but if we really are to the point winning seasons are normal, eventually there will be a team that we become each other's measuring stick and a game that decides pecking order/possible playoff spots. Mercer seems to be the one on a similar rise to WCU in football. But not sure anybody (from either school) considers it a rivalry over any other conference game. Geographically - ETSU and FU seem to be the most likely - but as you said - we need to build a rivalry, not declare one. |
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Post by The Cats on Sept 26, 2018 18:35:01 GMT -5
UTC and ETSU - makes sense VMI and Citadel - makes sense Furman and Citadel - makes sense Wofford is trying to have one with Furman - makes sense with 2 small privates that close together That leaves Samford (small private in Alabama), Mercer (decent sized private in Georgia), and us (public in NC). In my opinion, you can't really force a rivalry. Just like Citadel has 2 and Furman is on the verge of 2, over time something will have to develop based on the games between us and somebody else. We had been so bad for so long it was hard, but if we really are to the point winning seasons are normal, eventually there will be a team that we become each other's measuring stick and a game that decides pecking order/possible playoff spots. Mercer seems to be the one on a similar rise to WCU in football. But not sure anybody (from either school) considers it a rivalry over any other conference game. Geographically - ETSU and FU seem to be the most likely - but as you said - we need to build a rivalry, not declare one. ETSU and FU..... geographically  ?? |
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Post by wcugrad95 on Sept 26, 2018 19:53:10 GMT -5
Think he meant for us :-)
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Sept 26, 2018 20:32:38 GMT -5
Geographically - ETSU and FU seem to be the most likely - but as you said - we need to build a rivalry, not declare one. ETSU and FU..... geographically ?? I dislike all other SoCon teams and some more than others. So whoever we play on Saturday is our rival. If we ever move up to FBS, App will immediately become our natural rival again. Until then, I hope we do not play them. Going there with no return trip to Cullowhee would not be a rivalry. They just had better leadership than we did who saw the benefit of a good football team. Honestly, I do not ever think about them or playing them. Our school continues to grow and gets better every year and we are not playing them in football. Life goes on without the goons. |
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Post by wcatradio75 on Sept 26, 2018 21:05:03 GMT -5
To be clear - our two geographically closest teams are Furman & East Tennessee.
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Post by The Cats on Sept 27, 2018 2:17:53 GMT -5
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Post by wcugrad95 on Sept 27, 2018 8:42:13 GMT -5
ETSU is the more "like" school with us and them being larger public universities, but there is history (although ancient) with some bad blood between the Cats and Furman in the early 80s. Right now it feels like WCU is trying to force those because of the closeness of the schools (both are actually closer than Boone). But like I said - play on the field and banter between fans is what generally creates the rivalry. And I don't sense that with either school, at least not yet.
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??