Sgt. York Trophy Presented by Legends Bank
10/7/2026 10:00:58 AM | Football
• Sgt. York Trophy Background/History
The Ohio Valley Conference announced that Legends Bank has been named the presenting sponsor of the Sgt. York Trophy, one of Tennessee college football's most distinctive traditions.
The Sgt. York Trophy presented by Legends Bank goes to the winner of the matchup between the two OVC football playing schools located in the state of Tennessee - Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. The award was created in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council.
This year's game will be played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville (2:30pm CT, ESPN+) on Saturday, October 10. This season marks the 20th year of competition in the Trophy Series.
"Legends Bank has deep roots throughout Middle Tennessee, which makes this partnership a natural fit," said Matt Wilson, Commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference. "The Sgt. York Trophy celebrates competition, tradition and Tennessee communities, and we are excited to have Legends Bank associated with this unique statewide football series."
UT Martin has won 11 total outright or shared crowns (the last coming in 2023) while Tennessee State has won eight titles (with the last coming in 2019). Former OVC members Austin Peay (four titles) and Tennessee Tech (six titles) previously competed for the trophy.
"Legends Bank is proud to support a tradition that connects college athletics with communities across Tennessee," said Tommy Bates, President & CEO of Legends Bank. "The Sgt. York Trophy represents competition, pride and a rich history in our state, and we look forward to being part of that tradition."
The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Following the war York returned his home in Pall Mall, Tennessee (located in north central Tennessee, 55 miles northeast of Cookeville) where he dedicated his life to improving education and facilitating educational opportunities for children in the state of Tennessee. In 1927 he established the Alvin C. York Institute after spending several years raising money for the school which opened as a private institution. That school was established, in part, to provide educational opportunities denied to the boys and girls of Fentress Country. In 1937, the Institute became a state special school after an appeal to the Tennessee State Legislature. The school, located in Jamestown, Tenn., is still in operation today.
York died on Sept. 2, 1964 and the foundation which he helped establish in 1920 – The Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation – was dormant for many years.
The multi-year agreement was secured by OVC Sports Properties, the Conference's multimedia rights partner and a division of LEARFIELD, and provides Legends Bank with prominent visibility throughout the season and around the trophy's participating programs. As presenting sponsor, Legends Bank will receive integrated recognition surrounding the Sgt. York Trophy, including branding tied to the trophy identity, digital and social media exposure, promotional opportunities and visibility throughout the annual competition.
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