LeRoy/Cal-Mum football program to be known as Rivals

By STEVE BRADLEY

The Caledonia-Mumford and LeRoy high school teams began competing against each other in 1900, forming one of the best rivalries in New York state.

The two programs agreed to merge in February, bringing together two of the most storied programs in Section V.

On Tuesday night, after months of collaboration the schools announced that they will still be rivals, unveiling the official name and nickname of the merged football program, the LeRoy/Cal-Mum Rivals.

LeRoy Superintendent of Schools Merritt Holly said work on finding an official name for the program began after Mike Humphrey was hired as head coach this spring. Humphrey brought players from both programs together for a meeting and they began brainstorming potential names.

A list of finalists was pared to two and students in grades 7-12 voted on the names with Rivals emerging as the clear winner.

“It was all student-driven with the coaches facilitating,” Holly said.

Holly said one student explained the nickname well, stating that LeRoy and Cal-Mum used to compete against each other but now the school communities have come together as they prepare to take the field in the fall.

“I think that it pays tribute to our history as to why our rivalry was the best in Section V, but it also brings a unifying factor to the whole thing,” Holly said.

Holly said the schools are working on an official logo which they hope to unveil this summer. Although new, the program will try to respect the traditions of both schools as much as possible. Games will be played at both LeRoy’s Hartwood Park and Cal-Mum’s Hamilton Field, with each school getting to host a homecoming contest.

In addition to the previously announced merger for modified, junior varsity and varsity football, the LeRoy and Cal-Mum Board of Educations also approved mergers for varsity boys soccer and modified and varsity boys and girls cross country at their respective meetings on Tuesday.