EUREKA, Ill. – Sept. 12, 2026 – History met gridiron tradition on Saturday, Sept. 12, as the Westminster College Blue Jays secured a 41-0 victory over the Eureka College Red Devils in the inaugural Berlin Wall Bowl at McKinzie Field. With the win, the Blue Jays earn the honor of taking home the custom-designed Berlin Wall Bowl trophy in the nation’s only collegiate football game inspired by the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The historic matchup brought together the Eureka College Red Devils and the Westminster College Blue Jays — two institutions bound by a shared legacy tied to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Ronald Reagan, both of which have original sections of the Berlin Wall on display on their campuses.
Campus leaders welcomed guests to the Ronald Reagan Museum with a special screening of Reagan’s 1990 dedication of Breakthrough on Westminster’s campus. The game featured a special tribute commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and a halftime show honoring first responders during “First Responders Appreciation Night.”
The inaugural match served as a powerful reminder of how athletics can bridge academic excellence, historic milestones, and community spirit.
“Today, the cause of liberty won,” said Timothy Riley, Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum. “The final score will be remembered for a season; the history behind this game deserves to be remembered for generations. For the students, alumni, and supporters of Westminster and Eureka, this inaugural edition of the Berlin Wall Bowl is an opportunity to reflect on the long struggle for freedom and on the leadership to whom we owe much. That is a powerful legacy for these two great colleges to carry forward together.”
Sara Shaw, Eureka College’s Director of Athletics, praised the successful launch of the campus’s newest tradition.
“We are thrilled to have hosted the inaugural Berlin Wall Bowl and welcomed Westminster, its alumni, and visitors to our campus,” Shaw said. “This rivalry highlights not only our football programs but also the remarkable historical connection shared by our colleges.”
Dr. Jessica Brown, Westminster College’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, emphasized the character displayed on the field and looked forward to the future of the series. Westminster is slated to host the second Berlin Wall Bowl in 2027, where the Blue Jays will defend the trophy.
“Both the Red Devils and the Blue Jays are respected NCAA Division III programs that compete with a winning mindset while reflecting the values of small colleges where character, leadership, and sportsmanship remain central to the student-athlete experience,” Brown said. “Westminster is thrilled to partner with Eureka on this exciting new tradition.”
The winning coach Luke Butts of Westminster College echoes the sentiment. “This game is about more than just football — it’s about history, discipline, and perseverance. Our guys executed the game plan, fought for every yard, and brought the Berlin Wall Bowl trophy home. It’s an honor to write the first winning chapter in this unique rivalry.”
“We came up short today, but I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s fight. Playing in an inaugural game with this kind of historical meaning was an incredible experience, and we’ll use this outcome as fuel when we face them again next year,” said Dion Jordan, head football coach of Eureka College.
ABOUT THE RED DEVILS AND EUREKA COLLEGE: The Eureka College Red Devils sponsor 18 varsity teams, with 17 competing at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Men’s volleyball is a member of the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation. Located on nearly 70 wooded acres in Eureka, Illinois, and chartered in 1855, Eureka College cultivates excellence in learning, service and leadership while providing students with uniquely personalized educational opportunities. Eureka College holds the unique distinction of being the first college in Illinois — and among the first in the nation — to admit men and women on an equal basis. The College, originally founded by abolitionist members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is the smallest of colleges and universities to ever award a bachelor’s degree to a future President of the United States. Learn more at eureka.edu.
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS AND WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, sponsors 22 varsity teams competing in NCAA Division III as members of the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Founded in 1851 and renowned as the site of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster was named one of The Princeton Review’s 2026 “Best Colleges in the Midwest” and is recognized by the Higher Learning Commission for its leadership in civic learning and democratic engagement. More than 90% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months, and alumni rank in the top 16% nationally for earnings. Missouri’s only national liberal arts college, Westminster prepares students to make a meaningful impact. Learn more at WCMO.edu.
Media Contacts: Sarah Backer, Director of Media Relations, at 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu; or Tyler Oberlag, Sports Information Director, at Tyler.Oberlag@WCMO.edu or 573-220-7588.
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
