James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy

The James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, more commonly known as the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, is awarded annually to the winner of the Iron Bowl football rivalry game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University.[1] The trophy's namesakes are Dean James E. Foy, V, who served at both Auburn and Alabama and the father of photojournalist Mary Lou Foy, and Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Honor Society, which has circles at both universities.[1] In years of Auburn victories, the trophy is displayed at the Auburn Arena in the Jonathan B. Lovelace Hall of Honor, and following Alabama victories, the trophy resides in the Paul W. Bryant Museum.[2]

James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy
Awarded forWinning the Iron Bowl
LocationTuscaloosa or Auburn, AL
CountryUnited States
First awarded1948
Currently held byAuburn University

The trophy was established in 1948 by the two circles of Omicron Delta Kappa to signify a good relationship between the two schools despite the bitter rivalry.[1][2] In 1978, upon his retirement from Auburn University, the trophy was dedicated to Dean James Foy because of his importance to both schools.[1][3] Foy graduated from the University of Alabama and served there as the Assistant Dean of Students before serving as Dean of Students at Auburn University. Foy also served as the Faculty Secretary, the key faculty officer for ODK, for both circles.

Each year, the trophy is presented to the winning school by the losing school at the winners' home basketball game in the Iron Bowl of Basketball, and then resides at the winning university through the following year.[2] The ODK president from the losing school presents the trophy to the ODK president of the winning school during halftime of the basketball game, and tradition dictates that the presenter also sing the fight song of the winning school. This tradition is seen at University of Alabama SGA as President James Fowler sings the Auburn fight song in 2011.[2][4] The circle from the losing school also treats the circle from winning school to dinner.[1]

References
  1. ODK Auburn Chapter. "The James E. Foy, V ODK Sportsmanship Trophy". Auburn University. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  2. Jones, Adam (March 3, 2009). "After 6-year hiatus, Iron Bowl trophy returns to UA". The Tuscaloosa News. The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  3. "James Edgar Foy, beloved Auburn dean, dies at 93". AL.com. Advance Publications. Associated Press. October 10, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  4. Casagrande, Michael (January 22, 2011). "Auburn presented Iron Bowl trophy, fight song sung". Retrieved April 13, 2018 – via YouTube.
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