CHEYENNE, WY – The Laramie County Community College and Casper College men’s and women’s basketball teams are teaming up to create the Oil and Rail Series this season, with the inaugural rivalry game being held this year on March 2.

The theme of the series highlights the economic engines of the college’s respective cities, namely the mining sector in Casper and railroad in Cheyenne.

“I was looking for a way to bring more pageantry into LCCC athletics, while building on the rivalry already in place between the two biggest cities in Wyoming. This is a great way to pay respect to each city’s founding industries,” said Austin Rodemaker, Chief Operating Officer of the LCCC Foundation said.

Rodemaker’s idea has gained momentum among stakeholders, with other members of LCCC’s foundation and athletics department collaborating to design a logo for the series. Additionally, they have created a pair of trophies — one for the men and one for the women — to be awarded to the team winning the final game of the season between the Golden Eagles and the Thunderbirds.

“To try to win that trophy every year, it will be great,” LCCC Head Men’s Basketball Coach DeWayne Saulsberry said. “It gives the game a little more meaning and it makes our guys really go out and fight for more than a conference game. This year we have a great chance to do it at home and keep bragging rights, so it will be fun.”

LCCC Athletic Director Mark Puev highlighted the positive impact of the initiative on both schools and programs.

“It’s something kind of neat for both schools and the two programs,” Puev said. “I think any time you can put something tangible attached to it, it goes beyond bragging rights. It’s more of a pride and an ownership in what the athletes and teams are doing at both schools.”

The first edition of the Oil and Rail Series will be held on March 2when LCCC hosts Casper College for the final game of the season. The women are scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm and the men will follow at 4p.m.

The trophy will be presented to the winning teams after each game, and the current owner of the trophy will be responsible for making sure it is brought to the game each year.

More details will come out closer to the event, but for questions, reach out to Sports Information Manager Caleb Burggraaf for details.