The Burley Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game played from 1945 through 1956. It was held each year on Thanksgiving Day in Johnson City, Tennessee, at the city's Memorial Stadium, which was demolished in July 2010. The game was part of an annual two-day tobacco festival, with the name of the bowl coming from Burley tobacco. Like some other postseason match-ups of the era, such as the Grape Bowl, Glass Bowl, and Optimist Bowl, results are listed in NCAA records, but the games were not considered NCAA-sanctioned bowls.
The inaugural game was held on November 29, 1945. That day was the last (and fifth) Thursday of November, which was observed as Thanksgiving in Tennessee that year, despite President Truman proclaiming the holiday to be the fourth Thursday of the month.
Game results
Season Date Winner Loser Attendance References 1945 November 29, 1945 7, 7 3,500 1946 November 28, 1946 Southeastern Louisiana 21 13 7,500 1947 November 27, 1947 West Chester 20 6 10,000 1948 November 25, 1948 7 Appalachian State 2 12,000 1949 November 24, 1949 Emory and Henry 32 Hanover 0 12,000 1950 November 23, 1950 Emory and Henry 26 Appalachian State 6 12,000 1951 November 22, 1951 Morris Harvey 27 20 9,000 1952 November 27, 1952 East Tennessee State 34 16 10,000 1953 November 26, 1953 48 12 1954 November 25, 1954 Appalachian State 28 13 1955 November 24, 1955 7 Appalachian State 0 1956 November 22, 1956 Memphis State 32 12 1,200
Game records Team scoring records Performance YearMost points scored (one team)48, East Tennessee State1953Most points scored (both teams)60, East Tennessee State vs. Emory and Henry1953Most points scored (losing team)20, Lebanon Valley1951Fewest points scored (winning team)7, West Chester7, East Tennessee State19481955Fewest points scored (both teams)7, East Tennessee State vs. Appalachian State1955Fewest points allowed0, Emory and Henry0, East Tennessee State19491955Largest margin of victory36, East Tennessee State1953
Most appearances Only teams with more than one appearance are listed. Rank Team Appearances Record 1 East Tennessee State 5 3–2 T2 Emory & Henry 4 2–2 T2 Appalachian State 4 1–3 T4 West Chester 2 2–0 T4 Milligan 2 0–1–1
Notes NCAA records list the date of the first Burley Bowl as "1-1-1946", which is inconsistent with contemporary newspaper reports.
See also List of college bowl games National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Tennessee (Memorial Stadium)
References
Further reading