New Book Documents Newberry-PC Rivalry
A new book vividly chronicles the fierce historical rivalry between Newberry College and Presbyterian College, known as the Bronze Derby.
“The Li’l Bronze Derby That Was!” by Presbyterian graduate Chip Porter explores the origin and history of the rivalry, as well as its legendary symbol. The book is published by Maudlin Pond Press, based in Tybee Island, Georgia.
Dr. J. Tracy Power, associate professor of history and archivist at Newberry College, wrote the book’s foreword.
“I’ve known about the Bronze Derby for many years, having heard stories about it from my wife, Carol, a P.C. graduate, back when we were dating. So, I was quite familiar with the Bronze Derby tradition when I came to Newberry in 2014,” said Power. “Chip is a born storyteller, and his book should appeal to alumni and friends of both schools, from those who remember the Thanksgiving Day clashes between the Blue Hose and the Indians, to those learning about them for the first time.”
The Newberry-Presbyterian rivalry began almost as soon as the two schools began competing athletically. The competition took on new life in 1947, when the Bronze Derby was born out of controversy. Beginning later that year, the trophy was passed to the victor of each meeting in baseball, basketball and football from 1947 until 1956. The trophy was limited to football for the next 50 years until Presbyterian left NCAA Division II.
In 2006, the rivalry was the second-oldest collegiate series in South Carolina, behind that of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
Porter is also the author of “The Southern Massacre: The Story of the 1979 Presbyterian College Blue Hose Football Team” (Maudlin Pond, 2023).
The 650-page work is available online at maudlinpond.com/product/bronze-derby.
A new book vividly chronicles the fierce historical rivalry between Newberry College and Presbyterian College, known as the Bronze Derby.
“The Li’l Bronze Derby That Was!” by Presbyterian graduate Chip Porter explores the origin and history of the rivalry, as well as its legendary symbol. The book is published by Maudlin Pond Press, based in Tybee Island, Georgia.
Dr. J. Tracy Power, associate professor of history and archivist at Newberry College, wrote the book’s foreword.
“I’ve known about the Bronze Derby for many years, having heard stories about it from my wife, Carol, a P.C. graduate, back when we were dating. So, I was quite familiar with the Bronze Derby tradition when I came to Newberry in 2014,” said Power. “Chip is a born storyteller, and his book should appeal to alumni and friends of both schools, from those who remember the Thanksgiving Day clashes between the Blue Hose and the Indians, to those learning about them for the first time.”
The Newberry-Presbyterian rivalry began almost as soon as the two schools began competing athletically. The competition took on new life in 1947, when the Bronze Derby was born out of controversy. Beginning later that year, the trophy was passed to the victor of each meeting in baseball, basketball and football from 1947 until 1956. The trophy was limited to football for the next 50 years until Presbyterian left NCAA Division II.
In 2006, the rivalry was the second-oldest collegiate series in South Carolina, behind that of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
Porter is also the author of “The Southern Massacre: The Story of the 1979 Presbyterian College Blue Hose Football Team” (Maudlin Pond, 2023).
The 650-page work is available online at maudlinpond.com/product/bronze-derby.
