Raging Rivalries: The Lowdown on Greater Grand Forks High School Rivalries

High school rivalries aren’t just something you see in the movies; they can be very real and very intense. Grand Forks has its own rivalriesthat have dated back decades. Red River High School and Central High School have been pitted against each other in more than one sport and as an “East Greaser” from the Minnesota side of the river, I can tell you I have seen it all from the outside.

Central was the first public school in town, dating back to the early days of Grand Forks in 1881. It eventually became a high school; Red River was established in 1976 making this a very deep-rooted rivalry for the town. I think these rivalries really stem from the amount of school pride we tend to have in small towns…and that pride runs deep.

Photo Credit: Kerry Ring Photography

Football will always be a highly watched sport in high school, college, and professional levels. High school football can be a very exciting thing to watch when you have State Championships and Homecoming games, and correct me if I’m wrong, but none are as exciting as the Cushman Classic in Grand Forks. The Cushman Classic is the annual football game between Red River and Central, played at Cushman Field right by Red River High School. This is a highly anticipated game with high stakes and two of the liveliest student sections I have personally ever seen. It’s typically the last regular season game for both schools and if you’ve never gone, I recommend you check it out.

Photo Credit: Kerry Ring Photography

Like most of the Midwest, hockey has a strong hold on our community, but this rivalry carries weight all the way through the Eastern Dakota Conference. It isn’t uncommon for the teams to play against each other in State Championships, just last year in 2024, Red River defeated Central for the State Championship, giving Red River ultimate bragging rights. Aside from that, a big tournament for Grand Forks and East Grand Forks hockey is The Gambucci Cup. This tournament is one of the most exciting traditions, in my opinion as an “East Sider”, for the region.

Photo Credit: Kerry Ring Photography

While the basketball games in this town might not be quite as advertised as football and hockey, I can assure you they are just as intense. Red River and Central basketball games have energetic crowds for boys and girls alike. Basketball is just one of those high stake’s sports with high turnovers and huge comebacks so it’s hard to ignore the rivalries in a sport like that.

Photo Credit: Kerry Ring Photography

As fun as it is to watch major rivalries in shows and movies, it’s even better to be a part of one. The energy, the intensity, and sometimes even the frustration provides a level of adrenaline you can find at an amusement park. And if you think I’m being dramatic, I’m a senior in college and still find myself in the occasional heated conversation about old high school team hierarchies. Even though it’s “just a game” at the end of the day, these events bring our community together and make it stronger. If you want a true Grand Forks experience, you’re going to have to check out a game!