I played at X and have a hatred for certain schools that runs much deeper than the one for Trinity. I have many of buddies that played at Trinity and of coarse it is hyped beyond belief but that was not my biggest rival. I wanted to beat male more than anyone and Manual was right behind. People may call me crazy but I feel Trinity is not X's biggest rival male is.What do other X people feel? Beleive it or not, X gets so focused to beat Male and manual that Trinity lags in that intensity.

It used to be St. X and Flaget.... when the Braves left the scene it opened the door for St. X - Trinity. I don't see 36,000 at the X-Male or X-Manual game. You are entitled to your opinion, but there are thousands of alumni on both sides that still see this as the real deal. I do not believe for one second that the intensity "lags" for the Trinity game. If that is true then as an alumni I am saddened and would want an immediate change in coaching.

Trinity is THE rival for X from everything I've ever witnessed. Although there are some pretty harsh rivalries in Louisville that very few people outside realize. X and Manual of course, has it's own long and storied tradition. Trinity and Eastern is pretty heated for people on both sides. Seneca and Manual has had its share of huge games and heated moments (the halftime fight in 00 rings a loud bell). For the many unfortunate years for Atherton when they were in the R2D4 grinder, they and Iriqouis would have to have quite a battle to determine who was NOT dead last in the district.

 

Sorry, not trying to take away from the focus of X in this thread. It just got me thinking.

Back in the 50’s and 60’s it was Flaget without a doubt, followed by Male and Manual. Trinity became the number one rival in the early to mid 70’s and this has developed into the number one High School football game in the country according to many “experts”. I think many of the “more seasoned” St. X Alumni still have very strong feelings towards the Male and Manual games, but it just doesn’t have the same drawing power as the Trinity game.

I bet those grapes were sour anyway.

No doubt I got excited to play Trinity but there was no hatred. It is different and I know it draws over 30,000 but I am talking about playing the game, not watching as an alum.

^ I think I see your point now and agree. I consider that pretty much the public - private factor. Plus, for St. X those Male & Manual games are district match ups which are important!

I tend to agree with Tigercat. Trinity and X is a huge game and while there may be some hard feelings between the two I think that generally when all is said and done there is still respect for the tradition of the other program from both sides. I think that Ballard is Trinity's most heated rival because of proximity and district repercussions. Add that to the fact that people form Ballard and Trinity just seem to not like each other and it has become a fairly nasty and mean spirited rivalry.

^ I know that hair on my neck kicked up a notch when playing Ballard.

I think the thing that makes X-Trinity so great is the fact that there is such a strong emphasis and support by alumni and fans ( i read somewhere that it has become the biggest rivalry in high school football). However, I would have to say that when it comes to games that matter the most...X players, coaches and fans would have to agree somewhere that the Male game is by far the one that matters the most because as Glaser and Redman both have repeated for years...its the one game that has more than just bragging rights on the line...this game will pretty much determine the winner of their district yearly, determines the seeding for the playoff picture, and is a warm-up each year before the "real game" which is the game they seem to play every every year against each other in the playoffs (except this past year when Male lost to John Hardin). So I guess ultimately it comes down to one's perspective as to which matters most. If you are talking about bragging rights...then X-Trinity is certainly the one that is hyped up the most and has a certain meaning to it...but if you believe it is the game that means the most and has the most riding on the line...you would almost have to say X-Male because you know both teams are most focused on this game. (Unless of course...the X-Trinity game is for the State Championship...then the stakes are even higher than in the regular season). Even though Manual has developed into a yearly "threat" to the district picture in the last few years...bottom line is that next the hype that papers give to X-Trinity....you can always count on a good build-up prior to the X-Male game in most of the local media outlets. I remember reading a few years back of a former X player who gave this analogy of the two games..."Trinity-St. X is a game like when there are two bears who are in the same family that routinely fight with each other just to kind of play around and toughen each other up...in the end...they are still brothers....but the St. X- Male game is like the two bears who are fighting for ultimate control of their territory...its more vicious because the threat is greater". I liked his point of view on that!

I definitely think that it would be fair to say that X has developed more "bitter" rivalries with Male and Manual over that past 5-10 years. However, anyone from the X or Trinity camps must admit that the X vs. Trinity rivalry is the one thing that can truly effect everything for them.

 

Both schools compete for essentially the same "recruits", and those recruits translate into bottoms in desks. And, bottoms in desks = $$$. Success in athletics for these two schools against one another, largely effects numbers in open-house, how many kids take the placement test, and eventually the freshmen class enrollments. And lets be honest, that is the bottom line for these two schools.

 

X vs. Trinity has always appeared to be more a 'friendly' rivalry, due to many of the students, parents, and alumni from both schools knowing each other. (And they all handle this rivalry with class!) Fortunately X, has developed some very bitter (and healthy) rivalries from within their own district with Male and Manual. This bitterness seems to grow a bit each year. Trinity just doesn't seem to get the same type of perennial competition within their district. There have been some great team efforts for a year or two, but nothing sustained. (Eastern with Joe Prince, Seneca with Lonnie Oldham, Oldham Co. with Mike Jackson, and Ballard a time or two).

 

To answer TigerKat's question, I would have to say even though Male and Manual have both grown into games that are difficult to equal, it's pretty darn hard to match the level of the rivalry of X vs. Trinity. It has lasted and LONG time and will continue to do so.

Let's see if I have this right. Freedom Hall is used for the basketball game. Slugger field is the site of the baseball game. Papa John's Cardinal Stadium is home to the football game. It is true the Alumni make these events happen at these venues. Bitterness or hatred has been down played by both schools. I recall the first football game I saw between the two in 1974 many fights took place in the stands. Brass knuckles were used. Things have calmed down as far as violence. Many Alumni still verbalize their hatred for the other and the two are fortunate to be able to capitalize on this rivalry financially.

If St. X doesn't feel the emotion of playing Trinity more so than playing anyone else, then shame on them. That could help "explain" some of what took place this past December. Their alumni who care generally do and always will want a defeat of the other regardless of what the event is!

Don't take one person's opinion as representative of the X team mindset! While I do believe the Tigers rivalry with Male has been heating up over the years due to 'district supremacy' nothing and I mean NOTHING will replace the rivalry with T. Yes, there is a reason all the top venues have to be used to host the various sports. X vs T is the TOP rivalry in the state. If not by virtue of the players, then by the intense loyalty of the alumni. Just as you fight with your brother one day and back to being friends the next, this is the case with these two. Bragging rights is a great thing. It is what makes this all so much fun!

Male and Manual are great rivalries...but the biggest...is easily Trinity.....There is a whole week of festivities gearing up for this game......St.X/ Trinity week had to be the funnest weeks I ever had at X

Once again Iam not talking about fans but players. When I played I did not care about who the fans hated.