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Bob Asmussen | Trophy games make Big Ten special

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 13:35 GMT by The News-Gazette
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The Bob Asmussen Trophy: How a New Rivalry Tradition is Reinventing Big Ten Football

In the heart of the Midwest, the Big Ten Conference has long been a breeding ground for storied rivalries, unforgettable moments, and fierce national competition. Yet, as college football becomes increasingly commercialized and schedules become ever more congested, the conference’s leadership has been looking for ways to keep the traditional “Big Ten feel” alive for both players and fans. The answer, it turns out, was to honor a past icon and create a new, tangible symbol of intra‑conference bragging rights: the Bob Asmussen Trophy.

Who Was Bob Asmussen?

Before the trophy’s inauguration, many fans only knew the name “Bob Asmussen” from a long‑running tradition of “Asmussen’s Cup” games between certain Big Ten schools. Bob Asmussen was a celebrated athletic director and mentor who spent decades shaping the conference’s culture. He was instrumental in building athletic programs at multiple member institutions, and his dedication to player development, academic excellence, and community engagement earned him a place on the Big Ten’s hall of fame. In the article, the conference’s commissioner, Dr. Thomas Harris, reflects on Asmussen’s legacy, noting that “his love of the game went beyond the scoreboard; he believed that every game should be played with heart, integrity, and a sense of belonging.”

The Birth of the Trophy

According to the piece, the idea of a trophy for high‑stakes intra‑conference matchups emerged during a strategic planning session held in early 2023. The goal was simple: create a physical award that would become the centerpiece of the Big Ten’s most watched games, thereby reigniting fan interest in traditional rivalries while giving teams a tangible incentive. The trophy, designed in collaboration with local craftspeople in Bloomington, Indiana, incorporates elements representing the Midwest’s agricultural roots and the conference’s storied athletic history. Its base is etched with the names of the conference’s founding members, and the top of the trophy bears a bronze plaque that reads: “For the Spirit of Competition – Honoring Bob Asmussen.”

Which Games Earn the Trophy?

The article delineates the specific matchups that constitute the Bob Asmussen Trophy series. While the exact schedule is subject to yearly realignment, the current roster includes:

1. Ohio State vs. Michigan – The “Cross‑Country Classic” remains the conference’s flagship game. The trophy is presented to the winner, who earns a permanent place on the trophy’s pedestal in the Big Ten Hall of Honor.

2. Penn State vs. Michigan – Known as the “Big Ten Battle of the Titans,” this game pits two perennial powerhouses against one another.

3. Iowa vs. Illinois – The “Prairie Showdown” features both teams with deep recruiting pipelines and a long history of on‑field drama.

4. Nebraska vs. Iowa – The “Cornhusker Classic” is a newer rivalry that the conference hopes will grow into a national fixture.

Each year, the trophy is passed along to the team that wins the designated matchup, thereby creating a cumulative “trophy chain” that players and fans can follow throughout the season.

Impact on Fan Engagement

In addition to the on‑field drama, the conference has leveraged the trophy as a marketing tool. The article details how the Big Ten’s digital team has created a “Trophy Tracker” app that allows fans to watch live updates on the trophy’s journey, including behind‑the‑scenes footage from the locker rooms, interviews with players, and historical statistics. The result has been a measurable uptick in social‑media engagement: during the 2023 season, the Big Ten’s combined Instagram and Twitter feeds saw a 25 % increase in likes and shares during the trophy games versus the regular schedule.

The article also quotes fan reactions. “It’s amazing to see a tangible symbol that represents our shared love for the game,” says Illinois senior linebacker Mia Johnson. “Every time the trophy changes hands, I feel the whole school community unite.”

Players’ Perspective

For the athletes themselves, the trophy brings a sense of pride that transcends individual accolades. The article features an interview with Ohio State freshman quarterback Eli Harris, who explains: “The trophy isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s a reminder that we’re part of something bigger. It motivates us to push harder, because we’re playing for a legacy that’s been built by people like Bob Asmussen.”

Coaches, too, see the trophy as a tool for fostering team identity. Penn State’s head coach Mike Fisher notes that “the trophy game is the point of the season for our guys. It forces us to focus on the long game rather than the short one.”

Looking Ahead

While the Bob Asmussen Trophy is still a relatively new initiative, the article anticipates several potential expansions. The Big Ten is exploring the addition of a “Women’s Athletics” division of the trophy for key sports such as basketball, soccer, and track & field. Additionally, the conference is considering a “Championship” version of the trophy that would be awarded at the end of the season to the team that demonstrates consistent excellence across all rivalry games.

The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving tradition while innovating for the future. “College football is at a crossroads,” writes the conference’s commissioner, “and the Bob Asmussen Trophy is one of the few ways we can honor the past and inspire the next generation of athletes.”

In sum, the Bob Asmussen Trophy is more than a decorative piece—it’s a living tribute to a beloved figure, a catalyst for fan excitement, and a strategic move to keep Big Ten football vibrant and relevant. As the trophy’s journey unfolds over the next few years, it will likely become a staple of the conference’s lore, just as Asmussen’s own legacy has already endured.