Like so many Thanksgiving traditions, the coronavirus pandemic put another on hold this year.
After 100 straight meetings, the Turkey Bowl between Calvert Hall College High school and Loyola Blakefield will not be played Thanksgiving morning.
An executive order issued by Baltimore County went into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday evening. Part of that order restricts outdoor gatherings, including high school athletics.
In a joint statement issued Saturday morning, the presidents of Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield wrote, "With the issuance of the Executive Order restricting gatherings and high school sports contests in Baltimore County, we sincerely regret that this treasured tradition will not be held in 2020. We respect the efforts of Baltimore County government leadership to safeguard its citizens and we share a desire to do our part to avoid contributing to the soaring COVID-19 metrics in our region."
Read the full statement below.
When our schools reopened for the 2020-21 academic year, students returned to campuses that felt different than the ones they left in March. Although the year began with a sense of unease and a healthy level of trepidation, our school communities quickly found their groove. A turning point was the commencement of an abbreviated fall sports season. With that came the anticipation of celebrating the 101st Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving morning. With the issuance of the Executive Order restricting gatherings and high school sports contests in Baltimore County, we sincerely regret that this treasured tradition will not be held in 2020. We respect the efforts of Baltimore County government leadership to safeguard its citizens and we share a desire to do our part to avoid contributing to the soaring COVID-19 metrics in our region. While there is disappointment felt by members of our school communities, most especially the student-athletes and coaches who have prepared for this annual matchup, there is also a shared sense of gratitude for the many blessings this school year has already delivered. As we all celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let us honor the proud legacy that 100 years of Turkey Bowl history have brought to the Cardinal and Dons faithful. We look forward to resuming this storied rivalry and having you join us in the stands to cheer on two of the finest Catholic institutions in the nation. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
