The Mercy Bowl

The Mercy Bowl
Most folks my age remember it, or the reason for it. The reason was the first major sports team related air catastrophe in history. 1960. I was 12 years old. Even at that age, I loved to follow the news and sports. In about a year or so, the US figure skating team would be lost in a similar manner. In another 10 years, it would be Marshall.
No ESPN in 1960. Sports coverage of west coast teams was minimal. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was just another school playing in a bowl game. John Madden's alma mater. They got stomped by Bowling Green. 50 - 6. Bernie Casey played for BG. Ted Tollner was the Cal Poly QB. He is now the QBs coach for the 49ers. But only because he switched seats with his teammate, Curtis Hill, who had become sick on the plane ride east. Fate intervened.
I was never a big Bob Hope fan. Not of his comedy, that is. I respected his philanthropic endeavors. He was instrumental in setting up the game. So was President John Kennedy. I remember thinking it was cool for the president to get involved in something sports-related. The game would be played on Thanksgiving day. Bowling Green would play the winner of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. That was Fresno State. I still relate the game to Thanksgiving every year. Sports TV was not what it is now. The game was carried only on radio. Even radio was still in its formative years. No national radio. In other words, those of us east of the Mississippi could not get the game.
LA Times sports correspondent Jim Murray wrote in his column:
"On Thanksgiving morning this year in the Coliseum, a 'Mercy Bowl' benefit game will be played to help San Luis Obispo write off its obligations to the tragedy victims, the children they left behind them, and the survivors.
"My feeling is, it is not only their obligation. It is the obligation of all of us interested in athletics. I can think of no better way to give thanks on that day that we are here and healthy, than to contribute to those who are alone with only memories on that day."
It was the first bowl game that was held for a cause. According to John Madden, it would be a good idea to hold another bowl game for a cause.
If you're interested, check out the article in the link. It provides a more in-depth story. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28380542/