Ol’ School Bell Rings Again: Jacksonville State and Troy Renew Historic Rivalry in Salute to Veterans Bowl
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — After more than two decades, one of Alabama’s most storied college football rivalries is set to return. The Battle for the Ol’ School Bell between the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Troy Trojans will be renewed in the 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl, scheduled for December 16 at Crampton Bowl in Montgomery.
The rivalry, which began in 1924 in Jacksonville, Alabama, has deep roots in the state’s football history. Both schools started as teachers’ colleges and initially competed in NCAA Division II. Over the decades, the two programs faced off annually through 2001, meeting 63 times in total. Jacksonville State holds a slight edge in the all-time series with 32 wins, 29 losses, and 2 ties. Troy dominated the later years of the series, winning the last seven matchups and posting a 12-3 record against the Gamecocks since 1983.
A defining feature of the rivalry was the Ol’ School Bell, a trophy symbolizing regional supremacy. The bell represented more than just a win on the scoreboard—it was a symbol of pride and local bragging rights, with the tradition originating from the schools’ shared beginnings as institutions focused on education.
The rivalry reached its hiatus when Troy moved to what is now the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), making annual games increasingly difficult. Jacksonville State remained in the FCS until its move to the FBS and Conference USA in 2023, setting the stage for the matchup’s revival.
The 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl marks the first meeting between the Gamecocks and Trojans in 24 years and the 64th overall meeting between the two schools. The game has generated excitement among alumni, students, and fans of both programs, as the winner will once again claim the Ol’ School Bell, a symbol of regional dominance and historic pride.
In recognition of the event and the rivalry’s cultural significance, the City of Jacksonville has officially declared December 16, 2025, as “WHUP Troy Day” with a formal proclamation from Mayor Mark Jones. The proclamation reads:
Proclaiming Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as “WHUP Troy Day”
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University has proudly earned a bowl game appearance for the third consecutive season; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University is only the second program in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision history to reach bowl games in each of its first three years at that level; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University will compete in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 16, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University’s opponent in the Salute to Veterans Bowl will be the Troy Trojans; and
WHEREAS, the rivalry between Jacksonville State University and Troy University has long inspired passion, pride, and unity among alumni, students, and communities throughout Alabama; and
WHEREAS, this contest marks the 64th meeting between the two schools, with Jacksonville State leading the all-time series 32–29–2; and
WHEREAS, this will be the first meeting between the two programs since their last game in 2001; and
WHEREAS, spirited traditions such as “WHUP Troy” and “BLOW Southerners” embody the enthusiasm, loyalty, and pride of the Gamecock Nation, strengthening community bonds and energizing the team for victory;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Jones, Mayor of Jacksonville, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as “WHUP Troy Day” in Jacksonville, Alabama, and encourage all citizens, students, alumni, and supporters to join in celebration, wear their red and white proudly, and cheer on Jacksonville State University to victory over Troy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Jacksonville to be affixed this 16th day of December, 2025.
Mark Jones, Mayor of Jacksonville
Fans will be watching closely for the outcome of the game, but the event is about more than just the scoreboard. It represents the revival of a beloved tradition, school pride, and the enduring legacy of Alabama college football. “WHUP Troy Day” encourages the community to come together, celebrate the Gamecock Nation, and honor one of the state’s most historic athletic rivalries.
“This is more than just a football game,” a Jacksonville State spokesperson said. “It’s the revival of a tradition, the celebration of local history, and a chance for our fans and alumni to come together to honor a rivalry that has been part of our identity for nearly a century.”
With the Ol’ School Bell on the line and the city rallying behind the Gamecocks, December 16 promises to be a day of energy, excitement, and nostalgia, proving that some rivalries are truly timeless.
