Monon Bell Classic
Monon Bell Classic: DePauw vs. Wabash
The Monon Bell Classic is one of college football’s oldest and most storied rivalries. It’s the last regular-season game each fall between DePauw and Wabash College. “Monon” brings together generations of students, alumni, families, and fans to celebrate competition, tradition, and the liberal arts experience.
The Story of the Monon Bell Classic
A Rivalry Rooted in Place
The Monon Bell Classic is the annual football game between DePauw University and Wabash College, two nationally recognized liberal arts colleges located just miles apart in west-central Indiana. First played in 1890, it has become a legendary small-college football rivalry.
DePauw and Wabash sit just 27 miles apart, in Greencastle and Crawfordsville. That proximity fuels a rivalry that is deeply personal, extending from campus to families, workplaces, and communities across Indiana and beyond.
This is such a special game. With all the generations that have come before us, just being able to leave your own stamp on this tradition is such a great opportunity.
Nathan McCahill
More Than a Century of Competition
DePauw and Wabash first met on the football field in 1890, when DePauw won 34–5 in Crawfordsville. The programs have met more than 130 times, pausing on a few rare occasions, which makes the Monon Bell one of the longest-running rivalries in college football.
Over the decades, the series has featured dramatic finishes, memorable individual performances and storylines that reflect the evolution of small-college athletics. The longevity of the rivalry connects current students to alumni who cheered, played or marched in the game generations ago.
Each Game Intensely Felt
The Monon Bell rivalry is known for competitive balance, with each program experiencing extended winning streaks and tight contests. That parity means every game feels genuinely up for grabs, heightening the emotional stakes for students, alumni, and fans.
Close scores, lead changes, and late-game drama have helped define the series and contributed to its reputation as one of Division III football’s most compelling traditions.
The Bell and the Railroad
At the center of the rivalry is the Monon Bell—a 300‑pound locomotive bell that once hung on a train operated by the historic Monon Railroad. The railroad connected communities and college towns across Indiana, making the bell a fitting symbol for two nearby institutions linked by geography and tradition
Introduced as the official trophy in 1932, the Monon Bell is awarded to the winner of the annual game, who keeps it on campus until the next meeting.
Traditions, Song, and Story
The Monon Bell Classic is surrounded by distinctive traditions that reflect the pride and creativity of DePauw students and alumni. Spirit weeks, campus events, and student-led celebrations build anticipation throughout Monon Bell week and transform campus in the days leading up to kickoff.
The Monon Bell song, sung after a victory, is one of the rivalry’s best-known traditions and a moment many alumni remember vividly. Stories of iconic plays, memorable weather, and even attempted “liberations” of the bell itself are passed down and retold every November.
Broadcasts and a Wider Stage
For a rivalry between two NCAA Division III programs, the Monon Bell Classic has earned a notable media profile, with televised broadcasts and streaming coverage reaching audiences beyond Indiana. Those broadcasts have introduced viewers around the country to the atmosphere at Blackstock Stadium and Little Giant Stadium.
Telecast parties and viewing events give DePauw alumni opportunities to gather in cities nationwide, making Monon Bell weekend a shared experience even for those who cannot travel back to campus.
A Celebration of Community
Monon Bell weekend is a campus‑wide and alumni‑wide celebration of community, tradition, and the liberal arts. Alumni events, student activities, and family gatherings create a full weekend of connection around the game.
For many graduates, attending the Monon Bell Classic—whether as a student or as an alumnus—is one of the defining experiences of their DePauw years. The game highlights the distinctive character of a DePauw education: close‑knit community, meaningful traditions, and opportunities to participate fully in campus life.
Alumni and Game Information
Each year, DePauw alumni and friends organize viewing parties, reunions, and special events connected to the Monon Bell Classic. These gatherings extend the rivalry’s reach beyond Greencastle, allowing graduates to celebrate the game wherever they live.
● Learn more about Monon Bell alumni events and telecast parties on the Alumni page.
● Explore additional alumni opportunities and resources at www.depauw.edu/alumni
Schedules, ticket information, live coverage, and recaps of recent Monon Bell games are available on the official DePauw Tigers athletics site. The football pages provide game previews, statistics, and postgame stories for the Monon Bell Classic and the broader DePauw football season.
● View Monon Bell game details on DePauwTigers.com.
● Visit the DePauw Tigers football page for the full season schedule and results.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Monon Bell Classic
The Monon Bell Classic is the annual college football rivalry game between DePauw University and Wabash College, played each November in Indiana for possession of the Monon Bell trophy.
The trophy is a locomotive bell that once hung on a train operated by the historic Monon Railroad, which served communities and college towns across Indiana, including the areas around DePauw and Wabash.
DePauw and Wabash first met on the football field in 1890, and the Monon Bell was introduced as the official trophy of the rivalry in 1932.
The game is a signature tradition that brings alumni back to campus and to telecast parties around the country, offering a shared experience that connects generations of DePauw graduates.
Ticket details, game times, and broadcast or streaming information are available on DePauwTigers.com, the official home of DePauw Tigers athletics.
Alumni can visit DePauw’s Alumni page for Monon Bell telecast parties, regional events, and registration details.
If you want more information about DePauw including details on applying for admission, start your application here, schedule a visit our extended FAQ page.