The Standlee Trophy: More than a rivalry prize

Lynn Standlee, standing behind the players, went to Valley High but is credited with starting the youth football program in Glenns Ferry. His son, Chester, is in the front row, fifth from the left. (Photo Courtesy: Mike Standlee)

There are plenty of rivalry trophies and names out there. Just think about college football in the northwest – the Apple Cup in Washington, the Civil War in Oregon, the Great Divide trophy (which goes to the winner of the Montana/Montana State football game), the Holy War in Utah.

There’s a big rivalry trophy on the line this Friday in Glenns Ferry when the Pilots host Valley – and there’s a compelling story behind it.

The Standlee Trophy.

It’s not just two old rivals. The two schools have a rivalry dating back decades, that much is true. But the trophy comes from another place. The trophy dates back to the 1992 football season and is named in honor of Lynn and Kathy Standlee, who died in a car accident on Interstate 84 outside of Glenns Ferry. The Standlee family has ties to both communities so, after the accident, community leaders got together and came up with the trophy as a way to honor the Standlees and what they meant to both communities.

So, to this day, the winner of the Glenns Ferry/Valley football game gets to keep the Standlee Trophy until the other team can win the game and take it back. Glenns Ferry defeated Valley last fall, 28-26, so the trophy currently belongs to the Pilots. Lynn and Kathy’s son, Chester, will be on hand on Friday to present the trophy to the winning team.

Once the ball is kicked off Friday night, it becomes about football. And Chester paints a picture of what Lynn would be like, watching the Pilots and Vikings square off.

“(On) game day, dad would follow each play down the side lines even running and passionately yelling,” Chester remembered. “I remember my Dad was so passionate no matter what he did in life.”

Lynn, who actually grew up near Hazelton and Eden and attended Valley High School, is largely credited with starting the youth football program in Glenns Ferry. It’s a program that eventually produced future NFL’er Korey Hall as well as former Boise State starter Ross Farris, among others.

“My dad started the contact football program for Glenns Ferry for third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. I know dad bought all the pads and jerseys for everyone,” Chester recalled. “I was with him when he bought them.”

Lynn coached the teams and Kathy attended the games, volunteering and leading the 4H program in Glenns Ferry, while leading one of the top hay companies in the state.

“Dad would make sure kids got home and to practice if needed,” Chester said. “If the kid’s family didn’t have the money to play, you could still play.”

“Lynn had all the boys in town over at his garage working out all the time,” Mike Standlee, his brother, said. “Lynn purchased full set of commercial weight lifting equipment for his garage.”

Then, on April 13, 1992, Lynn and Kathy were headed to Boise to close on a new home the family was building. Heading up the Hammett grade on Interstate 84, the Standlees were involved in an accident that took their lives. Chester and his older sister, Amy, were taken in by Lynn’s parents following the accident and graduated Valley High School. Both continue to live in Idaho, with families of their own.

“Lynn and Kathy were special people with lots of passion, helping people and making life a better place,” Mike continued. “Lynn expected lots from everybody he hung with but would never expect more than what he expected from himself.”

The business(es) have continued to thrive. Mike runs Standlee Forage. The corporate office is based out of Kimberly but with farms and a manufacturing facility based in Hazelton. Mike says proudly, “I am sure we both would have been number one and number two in the hay industry.”

The trophy isn’t just a thing. It isn’t a marketing gimmick. It’s a reminder. A reminder of a family who contributed heartily to two communities who will be out supporting their team on Friday night.

#Idaho8Man