little schools, BIG GAMES

One of the best parts about college athletics is when not only a team, but also an entire school comes together for a rivalry game. For the biggest rivalries, these feelings aren’t limited to game day. Fans, students, professors, players and coaches recognize the competition between the two schools that is always present. Just the mention of the opposing team’s name sets emotions on high.

The word rivalry often brings specific matchups into peoples’ minds.
Ohio State vs. Michigan. Arguably the number one sports rivalry of all time. Woody Hayes even refused to buy gas in the state of Michigan.
Duke vs. UNC. Puts up a good fight for number one rivalry of all time. Fans don’t get much louder than the Cameron Crazies, and they are always at their best when Carolina is in the house.
Auburn vs. Alabama. The Iron Bowl. 60 minutes of football determine bragging rights in the state of Alabama for 364 days.

But these rivalries are all between Division I schools, and while they may be more well known than the D3 rivalries, that doesn’t make them greater.
Hope vs. Calvin. ESPN rated it the top D3 college basketball rivalry, and 4th in ALL of collegiate hoops. Hope’s student section, the Dew Crew, is Division III’s premiere student section and has been featured on ESPN’s Greatest College Rivalries.
DePauw vs. Wabash. The Monon Bell Game. Currently Indiana’s best football rivalry according to an ESPN poll. After the 2008 season, the all time series stands at a tie of 53-53-9. The Bell has been stolen at least nine times, with the most famous theft being known as “Operation Frijoles”, one of five greatest all time rivalry pranks according to Sports Illustrated.
Amherst vs. Williams. “The Biggest Little Game in America”. Among the best academic institutes in the nation. When Williams beats Amherst at home, the whole team marches across town to a barbershop where they shave their heads and smoke cigars.

And these are just some of many. So while Division III rivalries may often be under-the-radar and overshadowed by big league face offs, they are no less intense.