W&M, Richmond rename football rivalry as Capital Cup

by Tribe Athletics | November 13, 2009

This year's winner of the South's oldest college football rivalry will take home a new trophy - The Capital Cup - symbolic of the long-standing series between The University of Richmond and The College of William & Mary, the schools jointly announced Wednesday. It will be awarded for the first time following the Nov. 21 game at UR Stadium.

The Capital Cup, which replaces the I-64 Trophy, reflects the historical significance of the cities of Williamsburg and Richmond as the last two capitals of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Williamsburg, home of the College of William & Mary, was established as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699 and served that role until it moved to Richmond in 1780 during the Revolutionary War.

The new trophy, constructed by Bunkie Trinite Trophies of Richmond, stands nearly three-feet tall, weighs 15 pounds and features a solid brass cup set atop a three-tiered maple base.

While the old I-64 Trophy was engraved with only series results dating back to 1990 (the year that trophy debuted), the new Capital Cup is emblazoned with all 118 games of the celebrated rivalry.

The Richmond-William & Mary football series began with the Spiders winning 15-0 on Nov. 19, 1898 and has been played 118 times with the Tribe holding a 59-54-5 lead.

In terms of number of games played, the rivalry is also the fourth oldest in college football. Only Lehigh vs. Lafayette (145 games), Yale vs. Princeton (132) and Yale vs. Harvard (126) have been played more often.

Along with the presentation of The Capital Cup, an official Capital Cup Most Valuable Player will be selected following the game for the first time.