There will be a little more than bragging rights on the line when Big 4 men's soccer teams meet on the pitch this season with the introduction of the Big 4 Shield for the 2014 campaign by Upper 90 and FC Buffalo. The local schools will play for the shield in every contest against another Big 4 team in which the holder is competing. At the end of the season, the ultimate winner receives bragging rights for the year and holds onto the honor until the following season.
The thought process was “How do we make the Big 4 rivalries even bigger?”
Over many conversations with men's soccer coaches Stu Riddle (Buffalo), Dermot McGrane (Canisius), Eric Barnes (Niagara) and Mel Mahler (St. Bonaventure), an idea was hatched to ratchet the rivalries up a notch and it has come to fruition with the Big 4 Shield.
Loosely-based on the Log O' Wood — The Ranfurly Shield awarded to victors in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition — Upper 90 and FC Buffalo are proud to introduce the Big 4 Shield, an award that we hope will be contested often beginning tonight at Niagara when the Purple Eagles host the UB Bulls.
Constructed by Dave Barbalato at Tony Martin Awards, the wooden shield is a pretty hefty one, with all four Division I team logos and the number “IV” placed atop the center. It also includes the text:
The holder of this shield has emerged victorious from an All-Western New York men's soccer match, and must defend it with the blue-collar work ethic, fair play and courage on which our region prides itself.
Below the text there are a number of individual plates to denote who held the shield at the end of each college season.
How it works
Beginning with Friday's match between UB and NU, the winner of a contested game in which the shield features keeps the shield (In the case of a tie on Friday, the game will go to a penalty kick shootout that will not stand in the team's record but serves to determine a shield holder). The victor then must put the shield up for contention in its next Big 4 match. The idea would be that each Big 4 team schedules each other each season, meaning multiple shield matches per season.
The beauty of this opening weekend is a guaranteed shield match on Sunday, as the winner of Buffalo at Niagara will immediately have to defend its honor on Sunday. Also the way the schedule shakes out, each team will get at least one shield match this season.
If Buffalo were to emerge victorious at Niagara on Friday, Canisius will get its first opportunity to play for the shield on Sunday. Otherwise, the Griffs will get its first crack at the honor on Sept. 26 against St. Bonaventure or Nov. 6 at Niagara.
From the coaches
Dermot McGrane, Canisius
“There has always been a fabulous rivalry between the Big 4 schools and I think the introduction of the Big 4 Shield will only serve to intensify those rivalries.”
Stu Riddle, Buffalo
“It's a wonderful concept that will increase the notoriety of the Big 4 men's soccer matches and we are excited to be able to play in the inaugural shield game.”
Eric Barnes, Niagara
“We're excited to begin the inaugural season of the Big 4 Shield. These have always been great rivalry matches, and this will bring them even more excitement. This will be a great way to showcase the quality Division I soccer programs we have in western New York, while promoting the college game in our region."
