Otterbein and Capital Universities are longtime rivals. But before they took to the gridiron, they competed in canoe races in the 1890s on Alum Creek. In 1932, the first trophy was awarded for a game between the rivals’ football teams; it featured two paddles and a shield with a friendly handshake depicted as a nod to the historic canoe races and friendly rivalry between the schools. 

In 2021, the Battle for the Oars series of rivalry games was revived. 

All the Otterbein fall sports teams beat Capital and took home the oars, and spring sports are looking good so far!  

Baseball sweeps doubleheader at Capital to claim Oar 

Softball splits with Capital, reclaims Oar 

Women’s Tennis claims Oar with win over Capital 

Keep up with more wins at OtterbeinCardinals.com.