Wednesday, October 18, 2006

When Valparaiso and Butler meet for the 65th time in the schools storied rivalry, they will be playing for more than instate bragging rights. This year marks the inaugural ?Battle for the Helmet".

A helmet, with the Valpo logo on one side and the Butler logo on the other, will be presented to the annual winner of the rivalry game.

?I think it is great that these two fine institutions are now playing for something besides just a victory on the field," Valpo head coach Stacy Adams said. ?A lot of other great rivalries play for trophies and now you can add Valpo-Butler to the list. The two schools not only have been longtime rivals in football, but will soon reunite in the other sports as well."

The Bulldogs currently hold a 41-23 advantage all-time in the series, but the Crusaders have won the last two meetings, including last year's 34-21 win over Butler in Indianapolis.