The Gotham Bowl

In 110 years of football, OSU has played in 11 bowl games. Each appearance has been special and near-misses almost as precious. In 2005, one game, which will go unmentioned, separated the Beavers from post-season. Disappointing? You bet. But what if we had qualified for a bowl, accepted an offer, then learned it was all for naught?

Welcome to the story of the Gotham Bowl.

The invitation arrived in Corvallis on Nov. 28, 1960. It was to be the inaugural game of what New York City promoters hoped would be an annual event. Head Coach Tommy Prothro's Oregon State College team was a respectable 6-3-1, against a schedule that included four nationally ranked teams.

The bid caught OSC completely by surprise. All but one member of the football staff, Prothro included, had left the state to recruit. Only coaching assistant Bob "Tiger" Zelinka and student helper Larry Sanchez were on campus. The two assembled the team in Room 119 of Gill Coliseum on Nov. 29 to vote on the invitation. Gazette-Times Sports Editor Jack Rickard wrote of the meeting: "The players didn’t cut loose with an outburst, which made you feel they had some inclination of what might happen. But the room buzzed excitedly as each (player) turned to his neighbor with a beaming smile. Then came the vote. All hands went up...the room echoed with a chorus of ayes."

Keene

The game was scheduled for Yankee Stadium, Dec. 10. When OSC Athletic Director "Spec" Keene casually asked Gotham Bowl Executive Director Robert M. Ready about an opponent, Ready replied, "We’re probably going to invite Holy Cross." At this point, the Gotham Bowl began a slow meltdown. It started when Ready and company backed out of their deal with Holy Cross. No reason was ever given. As a replacement, an invitation was quickly sent to the Colorado Buffaloes.

Colorado said no, citing too many injuries and adding, "We don’t think our record (6-4) warrants a bid."

Now what?

In a sudden reversal from his earlier decision, Ready re-invited Holy Cross. Feeling a bit "second fiddle," the Crusaders declined. Desperate, Gotham officials next turned to the Southeastern Conference. But it was too late. Keene had pulled the Beavers from the game. His telegram was polite but firm: "We were honored to receive the invitation...but information received since that time indicates preparations are incomplete...and perhaps plans for the year are premature. For this reason, Oregon State regretfully withdraws from the Gotham Bowl."

Ready now had little choice but to call the whole thing off. The inaugural game was never played.

The Gotham Bowl survived two years. In 1961, Utah State lost to Baylor 24-9. Investors lost $100,000. In 1962, Nebraska beat Miami 36-34. Less than 6,200 fans braved terrible conditions to watch Miami All-American George Mira pass for 321 yards. It was a terrific game, Nebraska’s first-ever bowl win.