A Como Tradition – The Rice Street Cup

January 15, 2010  
Filed under Cougar Sports, Life at Como

The Rice Street Cup is a tradition of the Rice Street neighborhood, which predates Como High School. The tradition is decades old, and has been a part of Como since the school’s start. The Cup has become deeply rooted in the history of the school. It is widely considered one of the most anticipated sports events of the year. The Rice Street Cup brings out an unprecedented level of excitement and school spirit, not just from the students, but from every part of the Como community.
The Rice Street Cup is the second oldest Hockey game of its kind, matched only by the Roseville War Road. It is an annual hockey match in which the Como Cougars play against the Saint Bernard’s Saints.
The Rice Street Cup encourages the rivalry between the two teams, who would not get a chance to play each other otherwise. This event is held at the Aldrich Arena, on White Bear and Frost, where it attracts a large crowd in support of both teams.
Despite the importance of the Rice Street Cup to Como, this school was not technically part of the Cup when it began. The two teams that originally participated in it were St. Bernard’s and Washington. When Washington merged with Murray to form Como Park Senior High School, however, we inherited its place in the Cup.

Despite its current magnitude, the Rice Street Cup had a fairly humble beginning. Rod Magnuson, the coach of the Washington Hockey team, was socializing with Jack Glazer, the coach of the Saint Bernard’s Hockey Team. During their conversation they realized that their teams should play. Saint Bernard’s and Washington/Como didn’t use to be in the same conference. They decided that they would make the game happen.
“They had white helmets, we had black,” said Rod Magnuson, “so we played.” The first game was played in 1965 at St. Paul Academy. It was 10 degrees below zero in the arena.

The Cup has a rich history, created by 45 years of existence. Washington and Murray Senior High Schools merged to create Como Park High School in 1979-80. The teams who play aren’t made up completely of one schools’ students. The Como team picks from the best hockey players from Como, Highland, and Central, while Saint Bernard’s also includes players from St. Croix, St. Agnes, and Concordia. Though the first Cup was held at SPA, it switched locations several time before finally settling at the Aldrich Arena.
The first “Mr. Hockey” was awarded in 1977, and it was given to Bob Turner, an ex-marine who “basically ran Washington” and coached their Hockey team which went to the state tournament twice. The game has grown as an important aspect of the Como community and history, and many of the attendees tend to be alumni and families from the area.

Though the Rice Street Cup has lost a few of the aspects that made it what it was, it remains an extremely important event in the community. It is no longer just a neighborhood event, now that the schools are further apart. And since the two schools are now in the same conference, the game is no longer Como and Saint Bernard’s only chance to play each other.
Nonetheless, that changes little of what the Cup means to the school. “It’s a game you play for bragging rights” said founder Rod Magnuson, and it is an event that should be experienced by everyone who wishes to call themselves a Cougar.

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