November 5, 2021, a football rivalry renews, Gonzaga will play St. John’s for the 100th time under the lights of the recently upgraded Buchanan Field.

“Go, Gonzaga, Beat St. Johns!”

For decades students exhibited their purple-pride and school spirit with banners scattered around the DC Area... hung from overpasses, bridges, and other strategic places, exhorting the Eagles to Fly High!

In 1957, a few intrepid students raised Gonzaga’s profile by hanging a “Beat St. John’s” banner out of two of the open windows of the Washington Monument. For members of the class of ’67, who arrived on Eye Street in 1963, these public displays of Gonzaga pride were part of the lore of Gonzaga versus St. Johns.

The 1966 Gonzaga Football team was off to a great start, and the Booster Club seniors knew they had to do something big for the St. John's game. But how do you top the Monument stunt of 1957?

Best friends, Jim Nelson '67 and Will Morris '67 share their memories. Will was the senior quarterback, while Jim headed up the Boosters Club. This is the story of the Capitol Banner Caper: the clever planning, the disappointment after getting caught, the unexpected next day triumph, and the hilarious punishment, it's all here.

Next week in Episode 9 - more GGBSJ fun is on the way. We'll cover how in 1969, the class of '71 upstaged the seniors by turning the Monument Purple and White.