Bishop England, Philip Simmons to renew sports rivalry after one-year absence

On Sept. 20, 2024, officials from Bishop England and Philip Simmons high schools announced that the schools would no longer compete against each other in any school-related sports. 

The sports flashpoint occurred a week earlier when BE canceled its B-team and junior varsity games against the Iron Horses on a Thursday night. The next evening, Friday the 13th, the varsity game was played but was contested without fans, who were barred from BE’s Jack Cantey Stadium. 

Bishop England officials released a statement prior to the game, announcing “out of an abundance of caution,” the game would be played without spectators because of “related concerns posted on social media across the state and country containing threats of violence, and due to the current climate between our fan bases.” 

Bishop England wanted to continue the series in football and basketball only, while Philip Simmons wanted to compete in all sports. 

A compromise to continue the rivalry couldn’t be reached, perhaps because of a little too much emotion and overreaction. 

Almost three months later, in a hotel in Austin, Texas, the rivalry was saved when BE’s Bill Warren and Philip Simmons’ Dan Minkins attended a national high school athletic director’s conference. 

They broke bread, sharing a meal together that symbolized unity, hospitality, and friendship. 

And, the two athletic directors simply talked it out after realizing the obvious: the two schools needed to play each other. 

“That rivalry was part of the community,” said Warren, who knew Minkins before he arrived at BE. “We both agreed that it was a healthy rivalry. It was a great rivalry. Once emotions cooled down, we sat down and talked about two proud schools that were ready to resume the rivalry.” 

Minkins concurred. 

“There was no reason why we couldn’t continue the rivalry,” Minkins said. “Not playing with each other wasn’t good for the community. It wasn’t good for the student-athletes. The kids know each other. Some grew up in the same neighborhood, some played on the same rec-league teams. Some kids just happened to choose Bishop England and some chose Philip Simmons.” 

The two schools resumed competition at the beginning of the current academic year in sports such as golf, tennis, and cross country. The date BE and Philip Simmons have circled on the calendar is Friday, Dec. 5, when the Bishops host Philip Simmons in basketball, a revenue-producing sport. A big crowd should be on hand at Father O’Brien Gymnasium to see the two schools play. 

Minkins said the two schools will also play on the gridiron next fall, one way or another. 

“The (South Carolina) High School League won’t allow signed contracts until it announces its realignment (later this year),” Minkins said. “But we have an agreement. We could be in the same region and play each other. If not, we will play them in a non-region game.” 

Minkins said the two schools always drew big crowds. 

“It doesn’t compare to the crowds we have against our region opponents,” Minkins said. “When Bishop England comes to your place, there’s going to be a big crowd. We could play them in Tiddlywinks and there still would be a big crowd.”