Exeter-Andover Rivalry

The Exeter–Andover rivalry is an academic and athletic rivalry between Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) and Phillips Academy (Andover), bearing many similarities of tradition and practice (as well as athletes) to the Harvard-Yale rivalry as Exeter traditionally educated its students for Harvard, much as Andover traditionally educated its students for Yale. Today, Phillipians and Exonians continue to matriculate in large numbers to each of Harvard and Yale as well as many other top universities. The athletic rivalry between these two schools began with baseball, and football soon followed the same year. Today the two schools face each other in several sports every fall, winter, and spring semester. The rivalry is America's earliest and most played between preparatory schools and has been played more than the famous Harvard-Yale football rivalry.

The similarities between the schools augment the importance of the rivalry. The two schools were founded by the Phillips family. Andover was founded by Samuel Phillips, Jr. in 1778 with the financial support of his uncle John Phillips who, then, founded Exeter in 1781. The two schools are located 37 miles apart.^[1] The schools share similar seals and mottoes as well.

History

Exeter defeated Andover 12–1 in the first ever baseball game played between these two academies on May 2, 1878. Andover, in turn, defeated Exeter 22–0 in football on November 2, 1878. One of Exeter's most memorable football games took place in 1913 with a 59–0 victory over Andover. One of Andover’s most memorable football games took place more recently, when Andover reciprocated with a matching 59-0 victory over Exeter in 1952. Tradition states that if any game ends in a tie, this result is final.^[2]

Football matches

Game statistics Andover: 68 wins Exeter: 53 wins Ties: 10

References

External links

• Phillips Exeter Academy web site
• Phillips Academy web site