Maskat Oil Bowl

 


It started as a simple summertime West Texas vs. East Texas high school all-star football game back in 1938. Today, the Oil Bowl is one of the most prestigious postseason all-star games in the United States.

Texas vs. Oklahoma. It doesn’t get much better than that. And in all but one year since 1945, Texas vs. Oklahoma has been the format of the Oil Bowl.

The top high school players from the two states go head-to-head every June for football bragging rights.

Many Oil Bowlers have gone on to be stars in college and professional football. Steve Owens went from here to win the Heisman Trophy. Others -- like Jack Mildren, J.C. Watts and Steve Largent -- have not only made names for themselves in football, but also politics.

The game has also featured some coaching legends, both in the high school and college ranks. Texas high school coaching legends like Gordon Wood, Joe Golding and G.A. Moore all have coached in the Oil Bowl, as did Grant Teaff (Baylor), Matty Bell (SMU), Blair Cherry (Texas), Dutch Meyer (TCU) and Jess Neely (Rice). Another coaching legend, Hayden Fry, once played in the Oil Bowl.

But the main purpose of the game is to raise money to help crippled children in Texas and Oklahoma. “Strong legs run, so weak legs may walk” has been the motto of the Oil Bowl ever since the Maskat Shrine Center of Wichita Falls, Texas, came up with the idea to stage this game every summer.

Thousands of dollars have been raised to benefit the less fortunate. The proceeds from each game are divided equally between the two states. Texas’ share goes to help the North Texas Rehabilitation Center in Wichita Falls. Oklahoma’s share goes to the Oklahoma Coaches Association charities.

For more information on Maskat's Oil Bowl Classic check out the web site Maskat Oil Bowl .

Potentates pictured in this historic meeting are, (left to right);

Illustrious Sir Harold Hawkins, Maskat Shrine Center, Wichita Falls, Texas

Illustrious Sir Ervin Findley, India Shrine Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Illustrious Sir Clint Warnock, Bedouin Shrine Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, and

Illustrious Sir Charles W. Gruse, Akdar Shrine Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma.