Jan. 14, 2009

The Lamar-McNeese State rivalry, already one of the most hotly-contested competitions for each athletic department, will now be more enticing than ever, thanks to the creation of the Verizon Wireless Battle of the Border, as announcement jointly between the two schools.

The series, made possible through a joint corporate partnership with Verizon Wireless, will feature a scoring system that awards points to each school based on the results of head-to-head and SLC Championship competition in 14 different sports. The school that has accumulated the most points at the end of the year will be named the winner.

Until now, there had been no established means to recognize the overall athletic supremacy of the Cardinals or Cowboys. Now, the university that wins the Verizon Wireless Battle of the Border has its name engraved on a granite traveling trophy and, most importantly, holds bragging rights for the following year.

The scoring format will put equal emphasis on all 14 sports that both schools sponsor. Beginning with women's soccer on Friday, Oct. 17 and ending with the Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 10, 2009, each head-to-head competition will be worth two points.

In those sports where there is no true head-to-head competition, the points will be awarded based on the team that finishes higher at the SLC Championship. Should the schools tie in a given sport, the points will be split.

In the event of a 12-12 tie, the following formula will be used: the university with more combined points in the head-to-head sports of baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's tennis. soccer and volleyball will win the series. If the schools are still tied, the university who won the Battle of the Border the previous year will retain the trophy. In the first contract year, points for the previous year will be tallied as if the Battle of the Border had been in effect (Lamar would have held a 21-7 edge).

During the season, fans can keep track of the up-to-date point standings in the following ways:
Lamar's official athletic website - www.lamarcardinals.com
McNeese State's official athletic website - www.mcneesesports.com
During radio and television broadcasts of various coaches shows