From Rivals To Teammates: The River Bowl Classic Unites OKC Alumni On The Water

In high school, they were fierce rivals on the field and the court, but today the competition is called The River Bowl Classic, it’s a little friendlier and on the water.

“I played competition football against all these schools, so I was like, let’s bring the competition back,” said Northeast graduate Richard Jones.

The Black Alumni Coalition was started in 2021, with the goal of unifying.

“Build a network of alumni and future alumni that can empower and strengthen the communities,” said Shawntay Alexander, Executive Director of The OKC Black Alumni Coalition.

Schools that formerly competed against each other are now competing with each other in the third annual River Bowl Classic, powered by OKC Riversport.

“The schools that we have competing this year include John Marshal, Star Spencer, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest Classen, Millwood, and Douglas,” said Alexander.

All are learning to be teammates with their former rivals.

“Everyone is just really on board, quite literally,” said Alexander.

“It is pretty tough, but once you kind of get the techniques it becomes a lot easier, so we kind of have the routine,” said Millwood graduate Renado James.

“The fact that it takes a team effort, just to get the boat going and flowing it a little harder,” said Jones.

Teams have been practicing for four months in preparation for the big festival on August 3.

“Think about the traditional black family reunion,” said Alexander.

Complete with games, food trucks, and music, and everyone is invited.

“There’s going to be an opportunity for people of all ages to race and compete on the dragon boats,” said Alexander.

The River Bowl Classic competition is August 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Riversport OKC. For more information visit www.riversportokc.org/events or www.okcbac.com.