Volume 10 , Issue 51

(1946) 1st Papoose Bowl, OKC, OK

Yes! It is that time of year when colleges around the USA pair-off in their respective bowls. Have you ever heard of the "Papoose Bowl" of 1946 held in Oklahoma City at Taft Stadium?

1st Papoose Bowl (1946) ... Dec. 6, 1946, Oklahoma City -- According to The Oklahoman, dated Dec. 6, 1946, page 55, article written by Laymond Crump, the junior college grid champions of Oklahoma and Kansas set up headquarters in Oklahoma City on a Thursday, at Taft Stadium, for the 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff of the 1st annual "Papoose Bowl" junior college contest promoted by the "Wigwam Wisemen of America."

You ask, "Who were the "Wigwam Wisemen of America?" AND... "How long did the "Papoose Bowl" last? This "Papoose Bowl" in Oklahoma City is news to this NW Okie.

Anyway... back in 1946, December 6th, Coach Demp Cannon, former Texas Tech gridder brought his 33-man squad of Coffeyville, Kansas, Red Ravens 200 miles by bus in search of the team's thirty-sixth consecutive victory since 1939.

From Lawton, Coach Jess Thompson led his Aggies to Taft Stadium for their first bowl engagement after one loss in 10 conflilcts in the first post-war season.

Cameron Drills First -- The Aggies dressed at their hotel and arrived at Taft Stadium just as the Ravens were taking to the turf. The two squads had the opportunity to size up the other, and the uexpected meeting served to pep up drills by both teams. Cameron took the first workout as the Kansans held a chalk talk, then Coffeyville ran through a vigorous limbering-up session.

War veterans manned the rosters of both teams almost 100 percent, with coaches also freshly back from service in the armed forces.

10,000 fans expected Saturday morning with special trains coming from Coffeyville and Lawton. Mose Simms, official of the sponsoring organization, said that 750 tickets had been sold at Coffeyville and more at Lawton. He anticipated 1,000 fans from Kansas and 2,000 from Lawton.
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