Sept. 16, 2016
Photo credit: Georgia Tech Athletics
Though Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech have played just three times in nearly a half century, the two schools enjoyed a fierce rivalry for decades when both were members of the Southeastern Conference.
Tomorrow, the Vanderbilt-Georgia Tech victor at historic Grant Field will be presented the Gold Cowbell, which has been awarded since the 1920s when the Commodores and Yellow Jackets were elite Southern Football powers.
Since Georgia Tech left the SEC – and the series became less frequent – the Cowbell became a forgotten prize, only to be rediscovered this week by Georgia Tech play-by-play announcer Andy Demetra.
In a series that dates to 1892, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech have played on 37 occasions, with the Yellow Jackets holding a 15-19-3 advantage. The Commodores have played just two non-SEC teams more frequently: Sewanee (52) and Tulane (48).
The arrival of Dan McGugin to Vanderbilt’s campus in 1904 changed the course of Southern Football. Suddenly, the Commodores were the biggest rival to Georgia Tech and their famed coach John Heisman. McGugin’s Commodores were 11-5-1 against the Yellow Jackets.
The Cowbell was first presented in 1924, with the Commodores bringing it back to Nashville after a narrow 3-0 win in Atlanta.
A link to Demetra’s story is here.
Vanderbilt, GT supporting Kids Cancer Awareness effort Saturday
The Commodores and Yellow Jackets will jointly bring attention to kids cancer research and awareness during the game Saturday.
Head coaches Derek Mason and Paul Johnson will wear lanyards, golden whistles and wristbands supporting Curing Kids Cancer, an Atlanta-based non-profit that works to promote Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Curing Kids Cancer stickers will don player helmets for both teams.
In 2013, Vanderbilt joined Georgia and South Carolina as the first schools to participate in Curing Kids Cancer awareness drive. This year, Vanderbilt is one of six SEC teams participating in the program.
