Related Items:

Power Bowl History 1999-2007

Past Power Bowl® Recaps/Box Scores:

1999 - MSU Moorhead 44, Concordia 7

2000 - MSU Moorhead 21, Concordia 20

2001 - Concordia 18, MSU Moorhead 10

2002 - MSU Moorhead 41, Concordia 17

2003 - Concordia 42, MSU Moorhead 28

2004 - Concordia 30, MSU Moorhead 7

2005 - Concordia 29, MSU Moorhead 12

2006 - MSU Moorhead 28, Concordia 7

2007 - Concordia 34, MSU Moorhead 32

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/29/07)--It has been said that like a good book or a great movie, all good things must come to an end. That reality has hit home for the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons (MSUM) and the Concordia College Cobbers (Concordia). It is with deep regret that the two schools, Moorhead Public Service (MPS), and Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) announce the end of the Power Bowl® match-up after nine years. Power Bowl® IX, played on September 1, 2007, was the last scheduled game.

The cause for the ending of this game—scheduling. Both athletic programs, MSUM and Concordia, are governed by their affiliations with the NCAA and their conferences. Certain games are required every season as defined by each school’s conference. With the addition of four teams to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), MSUM’s conference affiliation, 10 of MSUM's maximum 11 games will be against conference opponents. For the 2008 season, this leaves only August 30, 2008 as an open date to schedule a non-conference game such as the Power Bowl®. However, by NCAA rule, Division III schools, Concordia’s division, are not permitted to play any games until one week later, September 6, 2008. As long as conference schedule limitations persist, and there are differences in NCAA-mandated start dates, the schools will be unable to continue the rivalry. However, both Concordia and MSUM are interested in renewing the Power Bowl® if these limitations are no longer an issue.

The match-up between MSUM and Concordia has a history that dates back to the 1920s-long before MPS and MRES joined the game as sponsors and started the Power Bowl®. The 2007 game marked the 85th meeting between the two schools.

In the wake of that historic tradition, MPS, MRES, MSUM, and Concordia are looking to begin the next tradition in collegiate athletics. The two schools are finalizing the plans to move the cross-town rivalry from the grass of the football field to the hardwood of the basketball court. November 2008 will feature a double-header basketball game with the men and women of Concordia and MSUM. This match-up will again be sponsored by MPS and MRES. The date for this event has been set for November 25, 2008 - the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

MPS is a community-owned utility serving the residents of Moorhead, Minnesota, with electricity, water, and broadband Internet access.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Doug Rogness at 218-299-5407 or e-mail Doug at doug.rogness@gomoorhead.com.