User talk:2601:205:0:9E:8521:4585:6BD0:AEDC

I would like to add another high school rivalry.

Fresno vs. Roosevelt Little Big Game Rivalry

THE LITTLE BIG GAME In 1930, the Roosevelt Rough Riders and the Fresno High Warriors started the “oldest high school rivalry west of the Mississippi.” Today the Warriors lead the series 42 – 39 – 2.

The Dad’s Club, a 1940's group of parents from the high schools, thought it would be fun to establish a friendly football competition between the two powerhouse high schools in Fresno. They designed the game after the Cal vs. Stanford Big Game. During the forties and fifties many graduates from both schools attended either Cal or Stanford.

In 1946, a Fresno Bee Columnist, Milton Young, a Fresno High alumnus, became president of the Roosevelt Dad’s Club and designed the little Brown Pig to be the trophy for the traditional game. The fifteen and a half inch trophy, carved out of solid redwood, was described as “a happy-go-lucky fellow with a piggish grin.” The Pig Game tradition continues to this day. This year on Wednesday, November 9th, the teams will take the field once again to capture the Pig.

Today the game is called the Little Big Pig Game.

Traditions have varied from the past. During the 50’s and 60’s student body presidents exchanged places at school assemblies and the loser presented the trophy to the winning team. Today the principals from the schools present the prize Pig a t the conclusion of the game.

The school traditionally meets for the Pig Breakfast. The host school, FHS in the odd years and RHS during the even years, picks up the bill for the meal and designs a mutually agreed upon T-shirt that is worn by each student body. The entire week prior to the game is spent in many activities. Each school has dress-up days, noontime activities, a pig roast tailgate party, running of the pigs, kissing of the pig and a pig rally. Fresno High has a walkover rally when the game is played at Ratcliffe Stadium.

The Pig Game is usually the last game of the season for both teams. It makes little difference, the record of either team when running onto the field to play this game. Both teams treat this game as if it were the “Super Bowl” of high school Football.

As a special touch, Principals of each school greet the parents and the senior Players on opposing 45 yard lines as the Actives directors from each school alternate announcing their names. The combined bands play the National Anthem. “LET THE GAME BEGIN” for the Little Big Pig!

FRESNO vs. ROOSEVELT LITTLE BIG GAME RIVALRY Fresno High: 42 Wins Roosevelt: 39 Wins Ties: 2

Steven5554 (talk) 23:43, 29 January 2016 (UTC) steven5554