House of Trophys

The origin of trophies lies more in combat and war than sports. In ancient times the victor of a battle would take a part of the losers armor as proof of victory. This evolved into the presentment of cups commemorating achievement. Thus the familiar trophy style loving cup, which would be filled with spirits and passed around.

As sports entered the entertainment mainstream the cup began to symbolize victory and were awarded in the three most precious metals, gold silver, and bronze. These cups were the oldest form of sports trophies. The sports trophy can be passed from winner to winner as with hockey’s Stanley Cup or stored by the event with each winner’s names added to a prestigious list. Such is the case in events such as the British Open or Wimbledon.

Perhaps it was with baseball that trophies took on different meanings. Instead of the tradition winners only approach many baseball trophies are awarded simply by vote and consensus of excellence. Baseball trophies such as the CY Young award are an example. As for winning the World Series, baseball awards a pennant or flag to fly above the stadium. A unique aspect that baseball brings to trophy giving is the concept of individual achievement awards such as, most home runs, or best era. From little league to the major leagues baseball trophies are an essential part of the sport.

The play and concepts of football began in China over 3000 years ago. Once again individual achievement receives the sports highest honor, the Heisman Trophy is award to America’s best football athlete. As for team football trophies the highest level of football offers the Lombardi Trophy named after the sports most memorable leader and coach, Vince Lombardi. Generally most football trophies are awarded for winning a level of competition such as the high school or college level.

Unlike most other sports most basketball trophies are awarded to the entire team. While there are a few exceptions such as a best sixth man basketball trophy, most basketball awards emphasize winning as a team. Individual acclaim in basketball seems reserved for television commercials.

Soccer trophies are unique in that on the highest level such as the UEFA championships a team soccer trophy is the ultimate goal. But at the entry level, which is grade school leagues and competition, everyone is awarded a soccer trophy. Participation soccer trophies are awarded to everyone who plays on the team. Surely the spirit of soccer is that everyone gets to play and win or lose everyone is in fact a winner.
These participation awards can be cheap trophies in terms of cost but in the value and esteem they give to young players they are priceless.

Coaches are also given sports awards. These are usually in the form of engraved plaques with a sincere personal message. Sports trophies have certainly evolved over their most recent thousand years of being awarded. Still the one thought has carried forth. To the victor go the spoils… along with a bright shiny trophy.