The annual McDonogh vs. Gilman football game, the second oldest interscholastic rivalry in the state of Maryland was first played at Gilman on October 12, 1914. Gilman was victorious that day, 35-0. McDonogh’s first victory came in 1927.
For the thousands of fans who attended the 47th McDonogh-Gilman game on November 22, 1963, it was a day they will never forget. That afternoon, shortly before kick-off at John McDonogh Stadium, the crowd of 4,000 was learning of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Both schools agreed to play the game, and although McDonogh won by a point in the low-scoring game, the outcome felt inconsequential.
Norman Parker ’73 recalls, “Decorating the buses was always a big deal and very exciting when we were young. Everyone competed to win the prize for the best bus decorations leading up to the Gilman game.”
An estimated 1,100 fans filled John McDonogh Stadium for the 100th game of the rivalry on November 7, 2015. While the score of the game was close (35-28) with Gilman earning the victory, the spectacular day-long celebration hosted by McDonogh was most memorable.
