The Barbwire Bowl Classic was an American football game played at Stockton Ordnance Depot, California, on January 13, 1946, between German prisoners of war.
Barager hoped the game would encourage the Germans to spread the sport of football in their home country upon being repatriated.
The teams were later nicknamed after various figures: Fairgrounds, coached by former Marquette player Sergeant Johnny Polczynski, was called "Barager's Bears" after Barager; Stockade, led by Texas Longhorn Ed Tipton and backfield coach Captain James M. Kiernan Jr., was named "Kiernan's Krushers".
Since his receivers struggled to catch the ball, the team relied on rushing plays, which resulted in numerous fights.
[7] After the game, the players changed into their military uniforms and assembled at the Officers' Club, where they were individually introduced and treated to a banquet and team photo.