New trophy now part of Chabot-Laney football rivalry

The annual Chabot and Laney College football rivalry might not be at the same level of national hype as other storied college clashes like Notre Dame/Michigan, Oklahoma/Texas, Florida/Florida State, or even the large local battle between Cal and Stanford. That may be true, but don't tell that to Chabot student Ivan Davis, who recently brought together the two local community colleges for an agreement on extending the yearly wager of East Bay bragging rights to a friendly fight on the gridiron for a new rivalry trophy that will begin its exchange this Saturday night when the Gladiators meet the Eagles for a primetime showdown for Golden Gate Conference supremacy and possession of the Chabot-Laney Rivalry Trophy.

Davis, president of the Chabot Sports Net Club began his idea for a rivalry trophy a few years ago when he was a member of the Associated Students of Chabot College (ASCC), a major group involved in promoting campus events, clubs, and teams at Chabot. Davis is also a longtime Chabot student and a former Laney student when he began his college life in 1984 at the Oakland campus.

"I love sports and I have loved my time at Chabot. Over the last few years I thought of ways how I could leave my mark here (at Chabot), and I decided that the adding a rivalry trophy would be the best way for me to leave my legacy," said Davis.

Before the first play of the 2005 Gladiator football season was even called, Davis had his plan in order to create a special bond between the two East Bay community colleges, and then he had to execute it.

First off Davis had to get the ok from both teams head coaches: Chabot's Danny Calcagno and Laney's Stan Peters.

"It (the trophy) was all Ivan's idea," said Chabot football head coach Danny Calcagno.

According to Davis, Calcagno said he had no problem with the idea of a rivalry trophy, "as long as Chabot got it every year."

After Davis received the go on the Gladiator sideline from Calcagno and athletic director Steve DaPrato, he got an "its-good call" from longtime Laney head football coach and athletic director Stan Peters.

"Peters thought it was an excellent thing for the schools to do. He thought it would give the game an extra edge," said Davis.

After Davis got the yes and cash from both sides of the ball he went to work and got the pigskin rolling so a rivalry trophy could be created. The price of the trophy project was $80, which was split 50/50 by the two schools athletic departments, and a Most Valuable Player Trophy was also included in the deal.

Following the conclusion of the game a most valuable player will be named. The Robert O. Brown Teen Incentive Project will sponsor the MVP trophy.

Both the Gladiators and Eagles will have an equal shot at the trophy, but as it seems Calcagno would love to have it on display in the Chabot Athletic Department for years to come.