September 23, 2021 at 2:38 p.m.
The history behind the Bell
The history behind the Bell
By River News Staff-
The Bell Trophy has been traded between the rival schools since 1935 when Rhinelander Daily News sports writer Jack Cory swapped trophy-trade ideas with Antigo writers Fred "Bus" Snyder and Johnny Tradewell. They eventually opted for the Bell over an old oaken bucket.
The Bell was once a piece of Gene Shepard's most expensive fancies. In 1903 Shepard, the creator of the hodag myth, built a large sternwheeler boat on the east shore of Boom Lake for about $13,000 with another $9,000 in silver and satin. The boat drew in water and rolled at its own dock.
With the help of Shepard's widow, Cory was able to acquire the Bell from a dusty corner of Shepard's barn. Rhinelander firefighters refurbished the bell and industrial arts students at RHS fashioned the framework and backboard, which is now covered with the winner and final score of each year's game.
The winning school gets the honor of keeping the Bell in its trophy case and paints the Bell's legs in its school colors.
Since the two teams began playing for the Bell, Antigo holds a 55-29-2 edge in the series. Rhinelander has won back-to-back Bell Games, their longest winning streak in the series since winning three straight from 1998-2000. Rhinelander won 10 straight Bell Games from 1943-52. Antigo won 13 in a row between 1961-1973.
Sources: Rhinelander Daily News archives and Antigo Journal.
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