Monon Bell DVD available for pre-order

Thursday, September 23, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- It's one of America's oldest college rivalries, and they don't come any closer than the battle for the Monon Bell, in which the two teams are separated by just one game after 116 meetings.

For the tenth consecutive year, a limited edition, commemorative DVD will be manufactured for fans of the annual game between DePauw University and Wabash College.

Pre-orders are now being accepted for the 2010 Monon Bell Classic DVD, which will be produced and professionally replicated immediately after the Nov. 13 game. Only 300 discs will be made; each college will have 150 to distribute.

The set is available until Nov. 13 for an early-bird special price of $12; after that date the price will be $15. A $4 shipping and handling charge will be added to each order, regardless of size, as well as 7 percent sales tax to orders shipped within Indiana.

Advance orders for the disc can be placed online at http://www.depauw.edu/e/fi/cc/dvdmononbell/cc_form.asp

Also available are the DVDs of the 2001-09 Monon Bell Classics (supplies of past games are extremely limited; the 2008 package is a two-disc set including all 115 "Monon Memories" produced to that date.)

DePauw and Wabash collaborate on the project each year. The two schools have also created DVDs of the 1977 and 1994 battles for the Bell.

"This is a special rivalry and these games are discussed, dissected and re-lived long after the scoreboard is turned off and the players leave the field," said Ken Owen, executive director of media relations at DePauw, who masters the DVD. "For those who play in the game, their families, and the many fans who have great love for the history and traditions of this annual event, the disc is a keepsake of what is always a memorable day."

"This project is a great example of how Wabash and DePauw -- who are fierce opponents on the football field -- collaborate on something that adds great value to the rivalry and has become a prized possession of fans," adds Jim Amidon, director of public affairs and marketing at Wabash College. "Those not affiliated with either school call the Monon Bell Classic the best-archived rivalry series in all of college sports."

The DVD of the 117th edition of the rivalry will feature the HDNet telecast presented in widescreen enhanced for 16x9 televisions; photo galleries of this year's battle for the Bell and a collection of historic images dating back to the rivalry's early days; "Monon Memories" of memorable contests; newly restored color footage of the 1961 Monon Bell game; and the always popular Ballad of the Monon Bell.

Voted Indiana's "best sports rivalry" by visitors to ESPN.com the Monon Bell Classic is one of the nation's longest and greatest football rivalries. The Nov. 14 game will be the 78th for possession of the Monon Bell, which was introduced as the winner's prize in 1932.

After 116 battles between DePauw and Wabash, the men from Crawfordsville lead the all-time series, 54-53-9. DePauw has the advantage in games played since the Monon Bell was introduced as the victor's prize in 1932 by a 37-34-6 count.

Again this year, DePauw and Wabash will work together to stage alumni telecast parties across the nation where graduates and friends of the colleges can gather to catch up with friends and cheer on their favorite team. Learn about plans for your city and/or sign up to host a gathering online at http://www.depauw.edu/alumni/monon/2010/index.asp

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