- James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy
The James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, more commonly known as the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, is awarded annually to the winner of the
Iron Bowl football rivalry game between theUniversity of Alabama andAuburn University . The trophy's namesakes are Dean James E. Foy, V, who served at both Auburn and Alabama and the father of photojournalistMary Lou Foy , andOmicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, which has circles at both universities [http://www.auburn.edu/odk/Trophy.htm] .The trophy was established in
1948 by the two circles of Omicron Delta Kappa to signify a good relationship between the two schools despite the bitter rivalry. In1978 , upon his retirement from Auburn University, the trophy was dedicated to Dean James Foy because of his importance to both schools. Foy graduated from the University of Alabama and served there as the Assistant Dean of Students before serving as Dean of Students at Auburn University. Foy also served as the Faculty Secretary, the key faculty officer for ODK, for both circles.Each year, the trophy is presented to the winning school by the losing school at the winners' home basketball game in the Alabama-Auburn series. It then resides at the winning university through the following year. The ODK president from the losing school presents the trophy to the ODK president of the winning school during halftime of the basketball game, and tradition dictates that the presenter also sing the fight song of the winning school. The circle from the losing school also treats the circle from winning school to dinner [http://www.auburn.edu/odk/Trophy.htm] .
In years of Auburn victories, the trophy is displayed at the Auburn Lovelace Athletic Museum. Following Alabama victories, the trophy resides in the Ferguson Student Center.
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