First off, thanks to our friend Ryan in Boise for bringing this to attention.
Second, MILK!
I was unaware of this, but as I’m beginning to learn, you can never underestimate agricultural interests in the state of Idaho. First Spuddy Buddy, now the Milk Can, the traveling trophy on the line every time Boise State plays Fresno State in football (in the regular season). From Wikipedia:
The idea for a trophy as the prize for the newly arranged interstate rivalry was hatched by two separate dairy groups that decided to get involved with their local football programs. California (No. 1) and Idaho (No. 4) are two of the nation’s leading dairy producers. The South Valley Dairy Group began raising money for Bulldog football in 2001; the Bronco Dairy Boosters began contributing to Boise State in 2005.
Two dairymen and friends in these organizations, Dan Van Grouw of Meridian, Idaho (in the Boise metropolitan area) and Roger Fluegel of Visalia, California (in Fresno State’s home of the San Joaquin Valley), put forward the idea of a traveling trophy and began the administrative process. There was positive feedback from the teams, coaches, and fans, but an “administrative changeover” kept the trophy off the field for the 2005 game, though the Bulldogs’ 27–7 victory is the first listed on the can.
The trophy only changes hands during regular season contests and has not been on the line when they have met in the Mountain West Championship Game.
It’s perfect.
