Saturday's game pitting Pittsburg State against Northwest wasn't always destined for Arrowhead.
When Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma arrived in Maryville, the thought of these teams tangling in front of over 25,000 fans seemed, at best, over optimistic. At the time, the Gorillas were perennial MIAA powerhouses, while Northwest cemented itself in the conferences bottom half.
But Tjeerdsma resurrected the Northwest football program making the meeting an annual showdown for the conference championship.
When the 2002 schedule was formulated, the two teams were slotted for the Northwest Homecoming contest. Despite the game's popularity, Athletic Director Bob Boerigter said the teams would have played at Bearcat Stadium had it not been for stadium renovations.
"We played in a demolished stadium that year," Boerigter said. "We had temporary bleachers on the track, and it was obvious we would have to do something to control the crowd.
"Quite frankly, if we had our current stadium, we would have never needed another place."
With Bearcat Stadium holding 4,200 outdoor seats, compared to its current capacity of 6,000, Boerigter asked the administration to find another venue and adjust the homecoming game.
"Well they asked what I had in mind, and I said I was going to talk to the Chiefs," Boerigter said. "They said fine, and I don't think they expected to see me back."
To the administration's surprise, though, the Chiefs agreed to host the event for one year. However, because of a conflict with a soccer match, the game moved to Thursday evening.
Expectations were mild for what would soon become a Division II staple.
"No one really knew what to expect," Tjeerdsma said. "It was a step of faith. Give (Boerigter) credit. He stuck his neck out and took a chance. If 10,000 people showed up, it would have been a flop."
The result was far from a flop. The "Clash of the Champions," as it was called, set an all-time single-game Division II record in attendance. The 26,695 fans that attended the game sat atop the record books until Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech battled in front of over 50,000 fans in 2004.
Although the game exceeded expectations, the game was supposed to return to the school's venues in 2003. But the Chiefs approached Pittsburg State, and they decided to keep the game at Arrowhead. Entering the 2004 season, it became a partnership between the Chiefs and the two institutions.
"What's happened is that if this game would maintain the same level of interest, neither of us could accommodate those people," Boerigter said. "We would have to turn away 10,000 people."
The game has set a Division II individual game attendance record in every year except 2004. Setting attendance records have been due in large part to the magnitude of the contest. Since starting the classic, Northwest and Pittsburg State have won the conference four times. In addition, the two teams have appeared in three consecutive national championship games.
Linebacker Jared Erspamer said the game's importance sets this rivalry apart from other games.
"In this game, all you have to say is that you're playing (Pittsburg State), and that should be enough to get you going," Erspamer said.
For Erspamer and his fellow seniors, it could be the final time they step foot in an NFL stadium. For senior tight end Mike Peterson, the game is not the only aspect that leaves an impression.
"I remember my first year and coming out of the tunnel," Peterson said. "I stepped on the field and remember throwing a block for Xavier (Omon), and he had a 60-yard run for a touchdown. That feeling brings a certain rush through your blood."
Be the first to comment on this article!