Naperville, Cortland mayors place friendly bet on NCC championship

North Central College’s Cardinals football team is up for its third NCAA Division III championship in four years when it takes to the field Friday night against the State University of New York’s Cortland Red Dragons.

High stakes, for sure. But for Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli and Cortland Mayor Scott Steve, there’s an added element of competition upping the ante of this week’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

Final scores will decide which elected official takes home license to boast — and which has to sacrifice a little pride in the name of sportsmanship.

Game on.

Part of a “friendly mayoral challenge” announced Thursday, Wehrli and Steve have agreed that whoever’s hometown team loses will wear the rival team’s jersey to their next city council meeting. The winning mayor will be awarded unlimited bragging rights.

“Good sportsmanship and being your personal best on and off the field is part of the Cardinal culture, and this friendly competition helps us celebrate those important life lessons,” Wehrli, a North Central alum, said in the announcement.

“That said,” he quipped, “I can’t wait to see Mayor Steve wear a slightly different shade of red to a Cortland Council meeting.”

Steve added, “We encourage everyone to show their support for our teams and join us in making this year’s Stagg Bowl an unforgettable celebration of sportsmanship and community.

“And I hope that Mayor Wehrli looks good in SUNY Cortland red.”

Coming off a championship win last season, the Cardinals (14-0) will be vying to defend their title Friday night while the Red Dragons (13-1) play for their first title in program history. Going head to head is also first for both teams, with North Central and SUNY Cortland never having crossed football paths before this week’s game.

The 2023 Stagg Bowl, held at Salem Stadium in Virginia, will kickoff at 6 p.m. Central Time. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN+.

If you don’t have those channels at home, there are four official watch parties planned in downtown Naperville. Hosts include The Lantern at 8 W. Chicago Ave., JoJo’s Shake Bar at 5 Jackson Ave., Features Bar & Grill at 14 Chicago Ave. and Empire Burgers & Brew at 48 W. Chicago Ave.

D3football.com All-America Teams will be announced prior to kickoff, as will the winner of the annually awarded Gagliardi Trophy, the highest individual honor in Division III.

North Central junior quarterback Luke Lehnen is one of four finalists for the trophy this year.

The Cardinals are to return to the North Central campus Saturday.

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