Floyd of Rosedale

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1. What was the original inciting incident?

A: Ozzie Simmons, one of only a few black players in 1934, was targeted to be hit with excessive force by University of Minnesota players. Reportedly, he was knocked unconscious multiple times before leaving in the second quarter. 11 years prior Jack Trice, the first black athlete for Iowa State College, after dying from his injuries in a football game against Minnesota's team.
2. Who originally suggested that the winner would get a pig?

A: The Governor of Minnesota at the time, Floyd Olson, bet then Governor of Iowa, Clyde Herring, a prize winning pig from the state if Iowa won and Herring put one of Iowa's prize winning pigs on the line, Floyd of Rosedale, if Minnesota won.
3. Is the pig trophy still used today?

A: Yes, the pig trophy, sculpted by Charles Brioschi, is still passed between the teams today. The winner keeps the trophy until the next game between the teams.

Fort Dodge Public Art

fortdodgepublicart@gmail.com

Northeast corner of 10th Avenue North & North 32nd Street

https://www.fortdodgepublicart.org/floyd-of-rosedale

Floyd of Rosedale was originally a prize-winning hog, donated by the owner of Rosedale Farms near Fort Dodge, promised to the winner of the University of Iowa/University of Minnesota 1935 football game in an effort to focus the competition on the spirit of the game after a racially-targeted attack on a University of Iowa player at a 1934 game with the University of Minnesota. The 1935 game ended without incident and since a living pig could not continue to be passed between the teams, a trophy in the shape of Floyd of Rosedale was created by Dale Merrill, a Mount Vernon sculptor.

In 2021, a group of private donors combined to place a statue of Floyd of Rosedale in commemoration near the historic Rosedale Farms. See the Fort Dodge Public Art website listed above for more information and come see our newest public art installation today!

You can read the full story of Floyd by travel writer Roxie Yonkie here.