Of all the weird names for college football games (or for the case of games of any sport), the coveted Battle of the Milk Can has to be possibly the weirdest name out there. In this annual rivalry game played between Boise State University (BSU) and Fresno State University, teams of male warriors face off in an epic battle to determine who will have the privilege of lifting the Milk Can Trophy.
People unfamiliar with the notion of playing a football game for something called the Lata de Leche Trophy would probably guess that the origins of the name must be rooted in some ancient terminology native to the area. To the surprise of people who are educating themselves on the limited history of the Battle of the Milk Can is the fact that the unique title started in 2005. Perhaps something as absurd as a battle over a milk can should not be a complete surprise coming from two universities named after nonexistent states. When listing the fifty states of the union, neither the state of Boise nor the state of Fresno appear.
It should come as no surprise that dairy farmers are behind the Milk Cans Trophy name. The Fresno State Bulldogs are found in Fresno, California and the Boise State Broncos are found in Boise, Idaho. As it happens, California and Idaho are two of the top five dairy producing states in America at number one and four, respectively. The Bronco Dairy Boosters give money to Boise State and, at the same time, another dairy organization called South Valley Dairy Group gives money to Fresno State. The two men responsible for the unforgettable game title Battle of the Milk Can are Roger Fluegel and Dan Van Grouw, who have ties to the schools and dairy-funded booster programs mentioned above.
In what might come as a surprise to outsiders, the concept of a Milk Can Trophy game was an instant hit with fans and the football shows themselves. Unfortunately, due to administrative problems, the inaugural trophy was not ready in time to be awarded to the winner of the 2005 contest (Fresno won 27-7). Each year, the winner of the big game is privileged to keep the trophy for one year and has the distinctive honor of having their team’s victory engraved on the trophy for posterity. After five seasons, the Boise State Broncos have a three-game lead after winning the last four contests since losing the opener.
