QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy University and Mckendree University have a long history of football. Both programs have been long-standing members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference; the Bearcats since 2012, the Hawks since 1994. After the competitiveness of the contests the previous three years, the administrators and coaches decided it was time to play for something more.
"It's fun to see conference rivalries emerge and the beginning of new traditions. I applaud the decision by McKendree and Quincy to designate their football game as the "Battle for the Land of Lincoln" and play for a top hat made of steel as the traveling trophy," said GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich.
Starting with the game on October 5th between the Bearcats and Hawks, the game will be known as the Battle for the Land of Lincoln. The winner of the game will get the traveling trophy, which is a Top Hat made of steel. Until the 2024 football season, McKendree and Quincy have been the only two NCAA Division II football playing schools in the state of Illinois.
"Without question, rivalries are easily one of my favorite things about college sports. These games help to create electric atmospheres that add to the gameday experience for some of the most heavily attended events on our campus each year," said McKendree Director of Athletics Anthony Francis. "Throughout my career in Athletics Administration, I've always been focused on ways to enhance the student-athlete experience. This is just another way to create a championship feel and make the game mean even more."
"This game has been long overdue for an official name. The Quincy University and McKendree University football game, whether it was played at the NAIA level or current NCAA Division II level, is an important game for both programs and we look forward to many more years of this now official rivalry," said Quincy University Athletic Director Josh Rabe.
The previous three seasons, the teams have been separated by a total of eleven points including an overtime finish in 2022 and a 20-plus point comeback in 2021. Overall, McKendree holds the all-time series record of 20-5 dating back to 1997.
It also happens that there are two new eras of football beginning with this season as Quincy Coach Jason Killday and McKendree Coach Jason Rejfek are entering their first seasons as the leaders of their respective programs. Both coaches expressed similar feelings towards the regional rivalry.
"McKendree and Quincy has been a regional rivalry that has been around since both schools were in the NAIA. To have a trophy that represents the competition between the two programs is an exciting time and something that each school will be fighting to get year in and year out," expressed Bearcats Interim Head Coach Jason Rejfek, who competed against the Hawks from 2009 to 2012.
"The Quincy/McKendree regional rivalry dates back to both programs' NAIA days. Over the years, each program has tried to put its own spin on the game with unofficial names," expressed Jason Killday, Quincy University Head Football Coach. "The decision to make this a trophy game is an excellent choice by both programs and the GLVC. We are excited to be a part of this already important game that now has a little extra meaning to our program, fans, and alumni across the state of Illinois."
Single game tickets will go on sale Monday, September 16th.
