Battle for the Shoes

Since 1946 the Whittier Poets and the Occidental Tigers have played for a pair of bronzed cleats, worn by 1940 Whittier graduate Myron Claxton, in a rivalry game that has grown to be called the “Battle for the Shoes”.

Rumor has it that prior to the scheduled meeting of the teams in 1939, members of the Occidental football team stole the All-American running backs shoes from the locker room, forcing Claxton to play in his work boots. Even so, Claxton led the Poets to a 36-0 victory.

Following the game Claxton, who was the final draft pick of the Giants in the 1940 NFL draft, went over to the Occidental sideline and retrieved his shoes, “bringing them home”. Seven years later members of the Franklin Society, which Claxton was a member, had the shoes bronzed and the teams have played for the coveted “Shoes” trophy ever since.

Occidental leads the trophy series 37-35 after having won 12 of the last 15 games since 2001.