SAGINAW DOWNTOWN LIONS CLUB SAGINAW, MICHIGAN  U.S.A.

News

Inside Our Site  About Us/Home Den Doings Lions Park News   Battle for Jug   Jug Page 2 Photo Gallery Important Dates Who's Who Get Involved Congrats & Thanks Fundraising Maps Links

TEAMS BATTLE FOR THE JUG Club Sponsors Annual Luncheon to Recognize J.V. Griders October 22, 2004 The Junior Varsity football teams from Arthur Hill and Saginaw High were the center of attention in the annual luncheon held at Saginaw Valley State University’s Curtiss Hall on Wednesday, October 20. The Saginaw Downtown Lions Club sponsors the luncheon as a lead-in to THE GAME as both schools vie for a prized piece of football crockery - the Little Brown Jug. Displaying the results of each game since it's inception in 1922, the Jug is one of the oldest ongoing trophies of any kind in the area. Food was not the only thing on the minds of the young players during the luncheon.  As coaches from both schools introduced each player from their respective teams, the excitement of the event was apparent on the faces of the athletes as each player pondered which team was going to walk off the field with the famed Jug. John Decker, a managing partner at the law offices of Braun-Kendrick-Finkbeiner and Jug Game participant in the late 1960s provided the keynote address at the luncheon.

Decker spoke about his football experiences, including memories of THE GAME while playing for Arthur Hill when he punted into the wind and the ball traveled thirty yards behind the line of scrimmage.  He also spoke about his National Championship at Nebraska with fellow Saginaw native and Head Coach Bob Devaney.  He noted to the athletes that football provides unique opportunities to build character, such as what occurs when practicing in the August heat in preparation for the season. At the conclusion of the banquet, the student-athletes were encouraged to take what they learned from the classroom and football field and use that knowledge toward higher education, so each of them may one day give back to the community by standing before future Jug Game athletes.

The 83rd annual game was played Thursday, October 21 at Arthur Hill Memorial Stadium with Arthur Hill prevailing 36-12. Saginaw High leads the competitive series with an all-time record of 42-41.