The tales this little cream can could tell I’m sure are rich with stories of hard work, laughter, family and pride. For more than 80 years this little cream can hasn’t experienced the reason it was first dedicated in the Fall of 1932 and last updated in 1940. It has not been reviewed, looked at or handled with the pride it deserves since its last update some eight decades ago.

What is this little cream can shared here? It was once the pride and joy of the Middle Border Conference football champions. It was once the traveling football championship trophy awarded to the Middle Border Conference football team champion each fall.

The Middle Border has a rich and deep history of athletic competition in our area, and for that matter, in Wisconsin. The Middle Border is the second oldest high school athletic conference in the state, dating back to its start in 1931. The seven original charter members of the conference were Colfax, Ellsworth, Hudson, Menomonie, New Richmond, River Falls, and Spring Valley, with only Ellsworth remaining a Middle Border member today. In the conference’s 90-plusyear history, a total of 18 schools have been members. Beyond the seven charter member schools there has been Amery (1977-present), Baldwin-Woodville (1948-present), Bloomer (1989-1995), Durand (1967-2015), Glenwood City (1948-1973), Mondovi (1970-1995), Prescott 1970-78 and 2002-present), St. Croix Central (2015-present), St. Croix Falls (1994-2003), Somerset (2002-present), and Unity (1994-2003).

Back when the conference first started, it sanctioned only two sports: Football and boys basketball, but helped foster others in its early days, including baseball, boxing, golf, track & field, and girls basketball. Today the Middle Border has team champions in 18 different sports with 10 boys teams and eight girls teams.

Back to the Little Cream Can: The first fall it was awarded was in 1932 when Colfax won the title and the honor of holding the can. Colfax in fact held the Middle Border title and retained possession of the Little Cream Can for three of the first six years, winning as well in 1935 (tie) and 1937. Other champions during this span included Menomonie (1933), New Richmond (1934), and Hudson (1935 tie and ’37). In 1938 River Falls began its football dominance and won the next four consecutive seasons in 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941. River Falls also won the football title nine of 11 years from 1938 to 1948.

For some reason when the Little Cream Can was last inscribed “River Falls 1940,” that sadly was the last it was used.

No facts or stories can be found to tell why the can’s use ended, but it did and those who could maybe share the story are no longer with us. It truly is a great Little Cream Can and needs to be shown.

For those interested in seeing the Little Cream Can with your own eyes it can be found in the RFHS Alumni Association Showcase located in the current River Falls High School (818 Cemetery Road) where loads of other past glory days of the Middle Border and RFHS can be seen. Please note you’ll not be able to visit the Alumni Association’s Showcase during normal school hours and visiting times in the school are limited, but attend a school event or competition in the high school and you’ll be able to wander over to the showcase and see the Little Cream Can for yourself.