Fresno High Senate Stogie Bowl

The Fresno High School Senate is the oldest club of its kind in the country. Founded in 1890, The Senate honors tradition, academic excellence and leadership. Even though we play an annual football game, athletic ability is not a requirement for membership. The Senate is a group for education leaders and mentors. The football game is just one of our many traditions.

At the 2011 Fresno High Stogie Bowl, an Honorary (or graduate), smokes a stogie during halftime.

I have written about the Stogie Bowl in 2009 and 2010. To see the photos from previous years, visit the old blog posts.

To see this year’s photos, click on me.

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Photo Gallery

Most of the current participants were not born when I played my first Thanksgiving game on November 22, 1984.  I did not intend to play 28 straight years, but I enjoy being part of an organization where students learn to disagree civilly. The younger students continue to provide hope that the next generation will lead us to a brighter future. I am also proud to be part of an organization that creates future leaders.

During the 2011 Stogie Bowl Halftime break, Fresno High Students demonstrate the rules of the game Awkward Ninja.

I also learn something unexpected from the students each year. This time, I learned about a game called “Awkward Ninja.” It looked like a cross between Twister and charades. I do not think the Awkward Ninja tradition will last, which is a good thing, because the younger people would dominate.

2 Responses to “Fresno High Senate Stogie Bowl”

  1. Madeline says:

    Man am I sorry I had to miss the game this year! Such an awesome tradition, thank you for taking the time to document it.

    • bryan farley says:

      Madeline,

      Thanks for staying in touch. We are fortunate to have a club that has been around for more than 100 years…

      I had an idea this year, and I do not know if anyone has considered it. Quite off topic. For the first half of the club's history, girls/women were separated from the boys/men. Is there any way to reclaim the old history from the other club?

      bf