Citing safety concerns associated with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, organizers of the 2020 Wyoming Shrine Bowl have canceled the annual senior All-Star game, scheduled for June 13 at Natrona County’s Cheney Alumni Field in Casper.

“The overall well-being of our communities remains on the forefront of our minds as we weather these uncertain times,” said Shrine Bowl executive director Frank Selby in a press release Sunday. “This game is made possible not only by our athletes but also by the generosity of local businesses and families that pledge support year after year. In addition to potential risks that linger as game time nears, we cannot in good conscience ask for financial support from communities as they are left reeling in economic effects associated with the outbreak. I strongly encourage everyone to continue your patronage and support our local businesses as much as possible.”

Selby went on to apologize to players and fans, stating that he and the Board of Directors of Wyoming’s Shrine Temples are working to ensure “that the players, coaches and participants are justly recognized for their achievements and the commitment that brought us together.”

“We express our utmost appreciation for the outpouring of support received as we deliberated this difficult decision,” Selby wrote. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish everyone across Wyoming health and recovery as we begin planning for next year.”

The press release also stated that any monies collected “for game tickets, banquet tickets, program ads and sponsorships will be returned within 30 days. These checks will not be deposited.”

A storied tradition

This year would have been the 47th Shrine Bowl, a game played each year at the beginning of summer since 1974. Teams are divided up into North and South squads with rosters made up by the top senior athletes in the state; the North — winners of the last seven contests — lead the overall series 25-18-3.

But for players and coaches alike, the Shrine Bowl has always represented much more than an opportunity for one last hurrah on the gridiron; the week is highlighted by a trip to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, with all proceeds going to that cause.

Brent Walk — head coach of defending Class 2A State Champion Mountain View — was named the head coach of the South squad in December. His team is well-represented on the South roster, with five Buffalos — Breckin Barnes, Briggin Bluemel, Hunter Gross, Kimball Madsen and Braeden Walk named to the squad; Lyman’s Hagen Lamoreaux also earned a spot on the roster.

Coach Walk was hoping his team would break the North’s seven-game win streak, though the decision to cancel the game was one he unfortunately saw coming.

“I think everyone knew this was kinda coming, but it [still] stings pretty bad,” he told the Herald Monday morning. “It’s tough, once it’s right there.”

Walk — who coached the South team back in 2015 — spent much of Sunday talking to executive director Frank Selby about the decision, then calling each of his 36 players to break the news.

“I wanted to make sure I spoke with every kid individually,” he said. “I didn’t want them to get this news without a voice. There was a lot of disappointment there. But they need to be very, very proud of being a Shriner — not playing the game doesn’t change anything about what they’ve accomplished. I told every single kid how excited I was to have them on this team — we had really good football players and I think we matched up well.”

Despite the disappointment, however, Walk said the players knew it was a decision made for the greater good.

“The way the kids handled it, they were very respectful,” he said. “They realize it’s the situation we’re in. The one thing we’re not going to do is sit around and feel sorry for ourselves, because the truth of the matter is there are other people out there in the world right now that have it a lot worse.”

This year’s Shrine Bowl held an added significance for Walk in that he’d be coaching his son on the field for the final time. Braeden Walk was a Super 25 selection following the 2019 season and will play next year at Dickinson State; coach Walk said the Shrine Bowl had been a dream for the pair since the last time he coached the South five years ago.

“Braeden was a ball boy in 2015, and from that day forward, his goal was to play in the Shrine Bowl,” Walk said. “And as a personal goal for me as a father and coach, I wanted to be the one to coach him in that game. It’s disappointing to be sure, but it’s what the situation called for, and these kids know that.”

Aaron Papich — head coach of this year’s North squad who recently stepped down as the head coach of the Powell Panthers — echoed Walk’s sentiment.

“That’s the thing about the Shrine Bowl — it’s so much more than a game of football,” he said. “The players get the opportunity to visit the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, and see the kids down there who are just so amazing and brave. And the time they get to spend with each other for a week, it’s such a cool opportunity to have. I really wish they could have experienced that.”

Like his colleague in the South, Papich spent most of Sunday touching base with his players and staff, several of whom were a part of the Powell Panthers’ improbable run to the 2019 Class 3A State Championship game. Papich was also named the Super 25 Coach of the Year by the Casper Star-Tribune.

“I feel bad for the Shriners Hospital — everything this game represents in helping out the Shriners and everything that they do,” he said. “And I feel for these senior athletes and all they’ve accomplished this year — it’s important for them to be recognized, even though they can’t play. A lot’s been taken from these guys.”