Indo-Jew Bowl VI

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 16, 2005 9:08PM

Yeah, kind of sounds like the set up for a joke (and there are plenty about this game on Fark). But in suburban Skokie, it's an annual tradition. The Indo Jew Bowl started out as a way for a tight-knit bunch of Niles North High School grads to catch up during the Thanksgiving weekend, by facing off in a friendly game of football -- Indians vs. Jews. And if anybody happens to get hurt, at least there will be planty of doctors on the field.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon on the Friday after Thanksgiving at Niles North High School's practice football field. That makes it convenient for hitting a few "Black Friday" sales at Old Orchard before or after the game. The game will pit the two teams, 9-on-9, against each other for two 50-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime.

The history of the opening coin toss gives an indication of how the Indo-Jew Bowl has grown over the years. While Uncle Steve Rothman performed the inaugural coin toss and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen did the honors two years ago , this year's will be presided over by Jerry Markbriet -- for 23 years an NFL Offical.

The annual gridiron faceoff has grown into a fund-raising opportunity, as well. This year's Indo-Jew Bowl VI will raise money for victims of the Hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast by selling hot chocolate and t-shirts at the game. They players also sponsor a food drive that runs until Nov. 24th.

Chicagoist just may have to stop by the game before plowing into the Thanksgiving leftovers. Our girlfriend's grandparents live in the neighborhood and we'd intended to visit them that day anyway. While we don't want to choose sides, we'll may have to cheer on the Jews just a little bit -- we did grow up in Highland Park after all...