University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Blue and Gold Battle Trophy Gives Extra Meaning to UNC-NAU Volleyball Rivalry
9/29/2023 11:15:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Rivalries are commonplace in sports, especially in college athletics, but outside of football it is often for bragging rights and pride between the fan bases.
Starting Saturday, there will be extra meaning when Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona meet each other on the volleyball court.
The schools jointly announced the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy, a volleyball-only award that features a gold volleyball atop a wooden base with each school's logo represented. Results from each future match will be engraved on plates located on the base.
"We are very excited about this first-ever rivalry trophy between Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado," Lyndsey Oates, Northern Colorado Head Coach said. "They are our travel partners, and we have had a lot of similarities in our time in the Big Sky. Both programs have been extremely competitive at the top of the conference. We also share the same colors and similar names, so we have incorporated that into the trophy. This should help spark the rivalry between the two schools for volleyball even more, something that we do not always have in the Big Sky since there is not another in-state school."
The traveling trophy is a symbol of longevity, resilience, and strength. The teams are playing for more than the current teams, they represent alumni of each university, their athletic departments and the former players and coaches in their respective programs.
Starting Saturday, the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy will be awarded to the victor and will remain in their possession until the next meeting between Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona.
"During my time at NAU, I feel like Northern Colorado has been our most consistent rival. We have had great matches with one another," Ken Murphy, Northern Arizona Head Coach said. "It is amazing how many times we have gone five sets with them, how many times we have gone back and forth home and away with them. This helps to accentuate how intense this has been over the past 10 years."
The two teams have won a combined eight Big Sky Conference regular season titles and 10 Big Sky Conference Tournament Championships, with UNC staking claim to six and seven, respectively.
Northern Colorado leads the all-time series 21-10, including 19-9 as members of the Big Sky Conference. The Bears competed in all 17 Big Sky Conference Tournaments – the fourth-highest total all-time - since joining the league prior to the 2006 campaign.
Northern Arizona's 24 appearances rank most of any current or former member of the league.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets to the inaugural Blue and Gold Battle match as well as other future events, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Starting Saturday, there will be extra meaning when Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona meet each other on the volleyball court.
The schools jointly announced the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy, a volleyball-only award that features a gold volleyball atop a wooden base with each school's logo represented. Results from each future match will be engraved on plates located on the base.
"We are very excited about this first-ever rivalry trophy between Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado," Lyndsey Oates, Northern Colorado Head Coach said. "They are our travel partners, and we have had a lot of similarities in our time in the Big Sky. Both programs have been extremely competitive at the top of the conference. We also share the same colors and similar names, so we have incorporated that into the trophy. This should help spark the rivalry between the two schools for volleyball even more, something that we do not always have in the Big Sky since there is not another in-state school."
The traveling trophy is a symbol of longevity, resilience, and strength. The teams are playing for more than the current teams, they represent alumni of each university, their athletic departments and the former players and coaches in their respective programs.
Starting Saturday, the Blue and Gold Battle Trophy will be awarded to the victor and will remain in their possession until the next meeting between Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona.
"During my time at NAU, I feel like Northern Colorado has been our most consistent rival. We have had great matches with one another," Ken Murphy, Northern Arizona Head Coach said. "It is amazing how many times we have gone five sets with them, how many times we have gone back and forth home and away with them. This helps to accentuate how intense this has been over the past 10 years."
The two teams have won a combined eight Big Sky Conference regular season titles and 10 Big Sky Conference Tournament Championships, with UNC staking claim to six and seven, respectively.
Northern Colorado leads the all-time series 21-10, including 19-9 as members of the Big Sky Conference. The Bears competed in all 17 Big Sky Conference Tournaments – the fourth-highest total all-time - since joining the league prior to the 2006 campaign.
Northern Arizona's 24 appearances rank most of any current or former member of the league.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets to the inaugural Blue and Gold Battle match as well as other future events, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Lyndsey Oates (Jan. 6)
Tuesday, January 06
Brynn Reines Post Game Press Conference vs Montana State
Tuesday, December 23
Lyndsey Oates Post Game Press Conference vs Montana State
Tuesday, December 23
Gabi Placide Post Game Press Conference vs Montana
Tuesday, December 23
