Wondering how it all got started?
The Oregon East-West All-Star Football Game, now in it’s 64th year, is held in Baker City, Oregon each August and has become known as “The Greatest Little Shrine Game in the World.” It is recognized nationally as the #1 fundraiser of its kind, in the North American continent, for Shrine Hospitals for Children. The players come from Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A graduated seniors. The first 54 years of the game has seen 3,011 players participate; plus countless officials coaches, Shriners and other support people, all of whom donate their time, cumulatively raising approximately 2.5 million dollars during the first 54 years.
The game will be recorded by ROOT Sports and then televised the following Monday in 5 states. Putting on the game each year is a remarkable accomplishment by Shriners throughout the Northwest. They and their wives, and sometimes their whole families, devote a great amount of their own time, energy, talents and money to assure the success of the project.
The East-West game was organized in 1952 by a group of Shriners in Union and Umatilla Counties. They wanted the game, which was to take place in Pendleton, to be for players from the then “B” schools. Four ranchers in the Pendleton area personally guaranteed to underwrite the renewal of the game, thus alleviating Al Kader Temple from any losses. Contributions also came from Masons, Shriners and community people in both counties. Tom Burton of Elgin, Oregon was the first general chairman.
For the first 20 years the game was played at the Round-Up Arena in Pendleton. In 1960 the middle size schools came in. The game was cancelled in 1969 due to violation of NCAA sanctions. Chet Broyles, of La Grande, assumed chairmanship in 1969 and under his 10-year leadership the game expanded in importance to become a major event.
In 1973, the game was moved to Baker City. That year a group of Baker City ranchers decided to put a steer in the parade. “The next year we got to talking about how they could help raise money for the “Kids’ Hospital”. Well, never at a loss for good ol’ cowboy ingenuity, and just plain hard work some mighty fine folks dedicated the necessary time, talent and resources to turn that idea into the annual event we now know as ‘The Cattlemen’s Breakfast.’ The proceeds from that ‘mouth waterin’ meal, which is served up, game day morning, by the Baker County Livestock Association and Cattlewomen, go to purchase the current year, Junior Livestock Association Champion Steer- This locally raised, blue ribbon champion beef then goes on the auction block during half-time festivities at the stadium- where one of our local, alternating, auctioneers puts his skills to work- to get the highest dollar possible. Well folks, to the best of our recollection, that steer has raised well over TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS!- And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a true tale of how a cow, each year, finds it way to the Shrine Hospital.” [Text taken from p. 153 of the 2002 Shrine Program in an ad purchased by the Baker County Shrine Club]. Baker City turns all out to support the game. There are activities all week long and each player has a window decorated just for him.
Wayne Harris became chairman in 1980 followed by Larry Folston in 1981. Larry served until 1985. In 1981, the game became a top contributor to the Shriners Hospital for the first time in the game’s history. It is now the largest fund-raiser in Oregon for the Shriners Hospital and is considered the second largest athletic money maker for Shrine Hospitals in North America, 2nd only to the Shrine Bowl held in California. Prior to 1981 the top money raised for the hospitals was $25,000. Since 1981, the game has produced about $75,000 annually for the hospitals, and approximately 2.5 million dollars during the first 50-year history of the game.
Chairmen following Larry Folston were: Finley Shuster of Nyssa, 1985-87, Dan Harmon of Baker City in 1988-89, Roy Moore of Redmond in 1990-92, Ric Sherman of Hermiston in 1993-94, Dick Kirby of Baker 1995-96, Galen Tarter of Medford in 1997-98, Paul Hathaway of Redmond in 1999-2000, Carey Huckaba of Tillamook in 2001, Ric Bobier of Oxbow in 2002-2003, Wayne Lewis 2003-04, Ralph Patterson 2006-07 and Tom Reeves 2008-09. Each Chairman traditionally serves two or three years in that position.
Prior to 1983, the Shrine coaches were the coaches that played in the state championship games for 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. Now, the game coaches are chosen on a 4-year rotation on 3A and 2A leagues and a 2-year rotation on 1A. The coach winning his league the year that the leagues turn comes up, is asked to coach in that year’s game.
Sixty players and sixty alternates, 30 for each team, are selected by nomination. The championship team from Class 3A and 2A ranks may have two players from each of their teams selected for All-Star status. The Class 1A champ will have one of its players selected to the team. No other school may have more than one player.
The football coach of every high school receives a ballot. He nominates his own player and also other players in his league, if he chooses to. The returned ballots are then tallied by East and West Team Personnel Chairmen and sent to the coaches. The teams are then selected by the coaches. Formal selections are usually held in the 3rd week of January. Once coaches select the teams, the Shrine Committee reviews the selections- but does not make any selections- and the teams are set. Selected players and alternates receive a personal letter from the Game Chairman inviting them to play.
Both an East and West Queen are selected for the game. To qualify a girl must have been a patient at a Shrine Hospital or burn center. Each Queen is sponsored by her local Shrine Club and represents the game at local parades as well as during the Shrine All-Star Game.
An Honorary Team Captain is also chosen. He is selected by recommendation from the Portland Shrine Hospital.
The players all meet at the Al Kader Temple in Wilsonville 10 days before the game day, where they are treated to a BBQ and receive their physicals.
After breakfast the next day, they receive their game jerseys, orientation, form teams and then they are bussed to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland to meet with staff and patients. This helps the players to focus on the real reason they are playing in the game. Then on to La Grande and Eastern Oregon University where they check into the dorm and receive their room assignments.
The week contains many activities for the players culminating in the Shrine/Parent/Player BBQ hosted by Union County Shrine Club at EOU Athletic Field in La Grande, and BBQ chicken cooked and furnished by the Traeger Brothers of Mt. Angel who bring their world-famous grills to Eastern Oregon for the occasion.
On game day Shriners, parents and friends start out the morning by attending the Cowbelle steak and pancake breakfast in the Pollman-Geyer Community Park in Baker City. The outstanding parade starts around 10:30 with Shrine units from many Shrine temples participating.
Pre-game pageantry begins at Baker High School’s Bulldog Stadium with the kickoff following. As of 2009, game statistics are East 29 wins- West 25 wins and three tie games. No matter how the score turns out, the big winners are the children in the Shriners Hospital for Children.
The game will be recorded by ROOT Sports and then televised the following Monday in 5 states. Putting on the game each year is a remarkable accomplishment by Shriners throughout the Northwest. They and their wives, and sometimes their whole families, devote a great amount of their own time, energy, talents and money to assure the success of the project.
The East-West game was organized in 1952 by a group of Shriners in Union and Umatilla Counties. They wanted the game, which was to take place in Pendleton, to be for players from the then “B” schools. Four ranchers in the Pendleton area personally guaranteed to underwrite the renewal of the game, thus alleviating Al Kader Temple from any losses. Contributions also came from Masons, Shriners and community people in both counties. Tom Burton of Elgin, Oregon was the first general chairman.
For the first 20 years the game was played at the Round-Up Arena in Pendleton. In 1960 the middle size schools came in. The game was cancelled in 1969 due to violation of NCAA sanctions. Chet Broyles, of La Grande, assumed chairmanship in 1969 and under his 10-year leadership the game expanded in importance to become a major event.
In 1973, the game was moved to Baker City. That year a group of Baker City ranchers decided to put a steer in the parade. “The next year we got to talking about how they could help raise money for the “Kids’ Hospital”. Well, never at a loss for good ol’ cowboy ingenuity, and just plain hard work some mighty fine folks dedicated the necessary time, talent and resources to turn that idea into the annual event we now know as ‘The Cattlemen’s Breakfast.’ The proceeds from that ‘mouth waterin’ meal, which is served up, game day morning, by the Baker County Livestock Association and Cattlewomen, go to purchase the current year, Junior Livestock Association Champion Steer- This locally raised, blue ribbon champion beef then goes on the auction block during half-time festivities at the stadium- where one of our local, alternating, auctioneers puts his skills to work- to get the highest dollar possible. Well folks, to the best of our recollection, that steer has raised well over TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS!- And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a true tale of how a cow, each year, finds it way to the Shrine Hospital.” [Text taken from p. 153 of the 2002 Shrine Program in an ad purchased by the Baker County Shrine Club]. Baker City turns all out to support the game. There are activities all week long and each player has a window decorated just for him.
Wayne Harris became chairman in 1980 followed by Larry Folston in 1981. Larry served until 1985. In 1981, the game became a top contributor to the Shriners Hospital for the first time in the game’s history. It is now the largest fund-raiser in Oregon for the Shriners Hospital and is considered the second largest athletic money maker for Shrine Hospitals in North America, 2nd only to the Shrine Bowl held in California. Prior to 1981 the top money raised for the hospitals was $25,000. Since 1981, the game has produced about $75,000 annually for the hospitals, and approximately 2.5 million dollars during the first 50-year history of the game.
Chairmen following Larry Folston were: Finley Shuster of Nyssa, 1985-87, Dan Harmon of Baker City in 1988-89, Roy Moore of Redmond in 1990-92, Ric Sherman of Hermiston in 1993-94, Dick Kirby of Baker 1995-96, Galen Tarter of Medford in 1997-98, Paul Hathaway of Redmond in 1999-2000, Carey Huckaba of Tillamook in 2001, Ric Bobier of Oxbow in 2002-2003, Wayne Lewis 2003-04, Ralph Patterson 2006-07 and Tom Reeves 2008-09. Each Chairman traditionally serves two or three years in that position.
Prior to 1983, the Shrine coaches were the coaches that played in the state championship games for 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. Now, the game coaches are chosen on a 4-year rotation on 3A and 2A leagues and a 2-year rotation on 1A. The coach winning his league the year that the leagues turn comes up, is asked to coach in that year’s game.
Sixty players and sixty alternates, 30 for each team, are selected by nomination. The championship team from Class 3A and 2A ranks may have two players from each of their teams selected for All-Star status. The Class 1A champ will have one of its players selected to the team. No other school may have more than one player.
The football coach of every high school receives a ballot. He nominates his own player and also other players in his league, if he chooses to. The returned ballots are then tallied by East and West Team Personnel Chairmen and sent to the coaches. The teams are then selected by the coaches. Formal selections are usually held in the 3rd week of January. Once coaches select the teams, the Shrine Committee reviews the selections- but does not make any selections- and the teams are set. Selected players and alternates receive a personal letter from the Game Chairman inviting them to play.
Both an East and West Queen are selected for the game. To qualify a girl must have been a patient at a Shrine Hospital or burn center. Each Queen is sponsored by her local Shrine Club and represents the game at local parades as well as during the Shrine All-Star Game.
An Honorary Team Captain is also chosen. He is selected by recommendation from the Portland Shrine Hospital.
The players all meet at the Al Kader Temple in Wilsonville 10 days before the game day, where they are treated to a BBQ and receive their physicals.
After breakfast the next day, they receive their game jerseys, orientation, form teams and then they are bussed to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland to meet with staff and patients. This helps the players to focus on the real reason they are playing in the game. Then on to La Grande and Eastern Oregon University where they check into the dorm and receive their room assignments.
The week contains many activities for the players culminating in the Shrine/Parent/Player BBQ hosted by Union County Shrine Club at EOU Athletic Field in La Grande, and BBQ chicken cooked and furnished by the Traeger Brothers of Mt. Angel who bring their world-famous grills to Eastern Oregon for the occasion.
On game day Shriners, parents and friends start out the morning by attending the Cowbelle steak and pancake breakfast in the Pollman-Geyer Community Park in Baker City. The outstanding parade starts around 10:30 with Shrine units from many Shrine temples participating.
Pre-game pageantry begins at Baker High School’s Bulldog Stadium with the kickoff following. As of 2009, game statistics are East 29 wins- West 25 wins and three tie games. No matter how the score turns out, the big winners are the children in the Shriners Hospital for Children.
