Auction Block: Going Bowling

Bowl games can leave some odd memorabilia behind.

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Ditch the brass, brah. Flaunt the cape!

These days, we're accustomed to bowl games with multi-million dollar naming rights and television deals that sweeten the pot. Money flows into the coffers of universities, sponsors and host cities. The bowl parade is a staged masterpiece and each year, we lap it up. The Sun Bowl is now more Brut-ish? We're in!

And of course, there are nuggets from each to be had. But first, where did all this bowl business come from?

The first bowl game, in 1901, was an afterthought. The Tournament of Roses was just a flower show on New Year's Day that was struggling to draw a respectable crowd. To drum up interest, tournament official James Wagner suggested that an exhibition football game might be just the thing.

The dream matchup of Michigan vs. California fell through, but Stanford stepped in to provide the vital western opponent and the Tournament East-West Football Game was born. The Wolverines stomped the Cardinal 49-0, and when a new stadium was completed in 1923, the Rose Bowl was born. The increased tourism and income in Pasadena did not escape the notice of other warm-weather cities and by 1940, the Grandaddy of them All was joined by the Sugar Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Sun Bowl.

Those durable names may represent a long history of great football games, but some short-lived bowl series have added color to the tradition. Delightful names—including Houston's Oil Bowl, Tampa's Cigar Bowl and Fresno's Raisin Bowl—became the norm. The matchups didn't always thrill television audiences, but the revenue continued to flow.

In the late 1980s, Baltimore-based insurance company USF&G's successful bid to sponsor the Sugar Bowl signaled a move toward the modern naming-rights scramble. Afficionados still derived some joy from bowl games, celebrating weed eaters, car care and regional credit unions, but for the most part, the fun was over.

Bowl season used to coincide perfectly with the holiday season. These days, with more television channels and over 50% of all BCS teams playing in bowl games at the end of the season, viewers can sprawl out on the couch from mid-December to the second week of January. Some love the illusion of championship football encoded in the current system, some hate it. One thing's for sure: we've come a long way from the days when January 1 decided only our floral champion.

Bowl game memorabilia:

1949 Rose Bowl Board Game: The box says it all: "You're the Quarterback!" "Most Educational!" and our favorite "Fun! Says Everyone!"

50s era Marching Band Cape: Not technically game-related, but this awesome silky cape worn by a Rose Bowl parade participant from the 1950s has beautiful embroidery and evokes the game-day atmosphere.

Georgia Bowl Games Shot Glass: If you find yourself visiting the 1947 Gator Bowl often, you might have a drinking problem.

1954 Shrine Game Jacket: One of those awesome leather-sleeve starter jackets, with the name Jack Henkel sewn into the collar. Nice.

1978 Gator Bowl Pin: Innocuous? Hardly. It's from the last Ohio State game coached by the legendary Woody Hayes.

New Orleans Bowl sponsor gear: Who could ever forget the legendary 30-27 OT Southern Miss win? Not you! If you buy this hat! And football!

1984 Cherry Bowl Program: Not all fruit-related bowl games were created equal. But the cover of this rare item is a joy to behold.

1961 Blue Bonnet Bowl Ticket Stub: In 1961, this name most likely referenced a large azure hat. Today, it would be sponsored by margarine. We miss the old days, just a little bit.

1971 Nebraska #1 Mug: In there with the Cotton, Orange, Sugar and Sun is the delightful anachronism of the 1962 Gotham Bowl.

1955 Kiwanis Salad Bowl Program: Salad Bowl. Sweet.

Seen any great collectibles? Let us know at collectespn@gmail.com.

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