The History of the Wagon Wheel

Each year, the Golden Flashes and conference rival University of Akron Zips face off for the coveted Wagon Wheel in their annual football game. Students from both schools pack the stands and declare their allegiance, cheering as their teams battle for the prized trophy inspired by the wagon wheel legend. 

According to the legend, the trophy traces its beginnings to the spring of 1870, when Akron industrialist John R. Buchtel set out for the town of Kent in search of a site to establish a college. 

However, in the muddy Ohio fields,  his wagon became bogged down in the area where Kent State University is currently located. When horses pulled the wagon, a wheel came loose and became buried until it was discovered in 1902 during the construction of a pipeline along the Western Reserve Trail. The wheel eventually fell into the possession of Dr. Raymond Manchester, who, as the Kent State Dean of Men in 1945, suggested that the local historic artifact be offered as the trophy to the winner of the annual football game.

There is also a year-long challenge that counts all athletic contests in the 16 sports where the rivals compete head-to-head. The winner of each contest (or series) earns a point towards the challenge, and the first school to earn 8.5 points wins the challenge.