A new year means fierce competition and Spanish sausage for area men
BY ALIANA RAMOS
News-Democrat
FAIRMONT CITY - For about 40 men from St. Louis and Fairmont City, New Year's Day means only one thing: Chorizo Bowl.
Since the 1940s, on Jan. 1 the men from St. Louis compete against men from the metro-east in a soccer match, followed by a meal of chorizo, or Spanish sausage, at a local restaurant.
"The game's never been called off," said Mark Fernandez, athletic director for the Spanish Society in St. Louis, whose members compete against men from the metro-east in the annual game. "We're like the U.S. mail. We play no matter what the conditions."
The only thing that changes every year is the location of the game, which alternates between Carondelet Park in St. Louis and a field near Koke's Tavern in Fairmont City, said Mark Fernandez, 52. On Sunday, about 90 people came out to see the game in Fairmont City.
And the men, who range in age from about 23 to 70, don't play for a trophy or grand prize. They play for one simple reason: tradition.
"It's family heritage that's passed down," said Frank Gavlick, 46, of Caseyville, who has played in the Chorizo Bowl since he was about 16. Gavlick said he looks forward to his grandson playing in the Chorizo Bowl in another 10 years.
"As a kid I used to watch my older brothers play. I wanted to follow in their footsteps," said Brian Fernandez, 30, who is Mark Fernandez's brother. "It's a very unique tradition. It's a day that I know it's all the men in the family, and this is what we're doing."
The tradition started when Spanish families from the Carondelet neighborhood of St. Louis started moving to Fairmont City to work in the factories, Mark Fernandez said.
During the holidays, families from both sides of the Mississippi River would get together play pick-up soccer games.
Soccer was popular among Mexicans and Spaniards back then, explained St. Clair County Treasurer Charlie Suarez, who helped to organize the event.
"So since we had the big enclave (of Hispanics) in Fairmont City, it became a natural rivalry," he said.
Now, some of the players are not necessarily related or Spaniards, Mark Fernandez said. Other ethnic groups also participate.
But, a friendly rivalry still remains, and the game is intense. The ability of the players ranges from high-school to college and professional experience. The men heckle each other during the game and support their own teammates from the sidelines. Two men were injured during the game.
"We're competitive on the field but when we get off the field, we're all friends and family," Mark Fernandez said.
Both Mark Fernandez and Suarez concurred that although they don't keep track of who wins every year, St. Louis more frequently comes out on top. And this year was no different: St. Louis beat Fairmont City 4-2.
But no matter the score, the teams celebrate after the game at Koke's restaurant with chorizo.
On Sunday, Suarez worked alongside Fairmont City Mayor Alex Bregen and two other men at Koke's restaurant to cook up about 300 sausages.
And who makes the better chorizo? "I would say we do," Mark Fernandez said. "Because I don't think that they (Fairmont City) make it over here. I think they buy it on our side. But we could challenge them to a chorizo cook-off and find out."
Contact reporter Aliana Ramos at aramos@bnd.com or 239-2507
BY ALIANA RAMOS
News-Democrat
FAIRMONT CITY - For about 40 men from St. Louis and Fairmont City, New Year's Day means only one thing: Chorizo Bowl.
Since the 1940s, on Jan. 1 the men from St. Louis compete against men from the metro-east in a soccer match, followed by a meal of chorizo, or Spanish sausage, at a local restaurant.
"The game's never been called off," said Mark Fernandez, athletic director for the Spanish Society in St. Louis, whose members compete against men from the metro-east in the annual game. "We're like the U.S. mail. We play no matter what the conditions."
The only thing that changes every year is the location of the game, which alternates between Carondelet Park in St. Louis and a field near Koke's Tavern in Fairmont City, said Mark Fernandez, 52. On Sunday, about 90 people came out to see the game in Fairmont City.
And the men, who range in age from about 23 to 70, don't play for a trophy or grand prize. They play for one simple reason: tradition.
"It's family heritage that's passed down," said Frank Gavlick, 46, of Caseyville, who has played in the Chorizo Bowl since he was about 16. Gavlick said he looks forward to his grandson playing in the Chorizo Bowl in another 10 years.
"As a kid I used to watch my older brothers play. I wanted to follow in their footsteps," said Brian Fernandez, 30, who is Mark Fernandez's brother. "It's a very unique tradition. It's a day that I know it's all the men in the family, and this is what we're doing."
The tradition started when Spanish families from the Carondelet neighborhood of St. Louis started moving to Fairmont City to work in the factories, Mark Fernandez said.
During the holidays, families from both sides of the Mississippi River would get together play pick-up soccer games.
Soccer was popular among Mexicans and Spaniards back then, explained St. Clair County Treasurer Charlie Suarez, who helped to organize the event.
"So since we had the big enclave (of Hispanics) in Fairmont City, it became a natural rivalry," he said.
Now, some of the players are not necessarily related or Spaniards, Mark Fernandez said. Other ethnic groups also participate.
But, a friendly rivalry still remains, and the game is intense. The ability of the players ranges from high-school to college and professional experience. The men heckle each other during the game and support their own teammates from the sidelines. Two men were injured during the game.
"We're competitive on the field but when we get off the field, we're all friends and family," Mark Fernandez said.
Both Mark Fernandez and Suarez concurred that although they don't keep track of who wins every year, St. Louis more frequently comes out on top. And this year was no different: St. Louis beat Fairmont City 4-2.
But no matter the score, the teams celebrate after the game at Koke's restaurant with chorizo.
On Sunday, Suarez worked alongside Fairmont City Mayor Alex Bregen and two other men at Koke's restaurant to cook up about 300 sausages.
And who makes the better chorizo? "I would say we do," Mark Fernandez said. "Because I don't think that they (Fairmont City) make it over here. I think they buy it on our side. But we could challenge them to a chorizo cook-off and find out."
Contact reporter Aliana Ramos at aramos@bnd.com or 239-2507