For about 30 years, a group of men has gathered at a tavern the night before Thanksgiving to discuss the big game.

It’s not the KU-MU showdown, or any other football game on TV. This game can only be seen at a local football field. But it is no pick-up game by any means. It’s the annual Turkey Bowl, a tradition marking its 36th year today.

“It’s probably the best-kept secret in Lawrence, Kansas,” David Dalke, who wrote a book about the event, said Wednesday.

Talking Turkey Bowl

The Thanksgiving Day game started in 1971, when a group of friends got together to play a game of touch football.

Since then, the game has become almost an official football organization. There are rules, a committee, a hall of fame, MVPs and even a few big-name players. And it’s inspired Dalke’s book “Pilgrims of Another Sort.”

The committee decides rules every so often. It meets just once a year, the day before the game at a local drinking establishment, which for the last 25 years has been Johnny’s Tavern. So far, 10 rules have been made. A recent rule voided two rules, bringing the total to just eight that are enforced.

The first rule is the most important: “The Turkey Bowl will always be held regardless of the weather conditions.” This rule has been faithfully observed since its creation in 1974, according to the book, and the recent cold snap is unlikely to break that record.

If you want to try to watch the game, you’ll have to hop in your car and just drive around. The location isn’t finalized until the Johnny’s Tavern meeting. The game has been played all over town, including at both high schools, Memorial Stadium and Hobbs Field at 11th and Delaware streets.

Commitment

Being a participant in the Turkey Bowl requires a high level of commitment. New members have to be sponsored by a current member and undergo a barrage of questions, and players can be disqualified if they miss too many years in a row.

Players have been known to forgo family trips, miss birthdays or cut a honeymoon short to get to the game.

“It’s something that grew and grew and you planned your Thanksgiving around it,” said Lee Ice, 51, who is one of the founding members. “I’ve been married 26 years, and I’ve never been to my in-laws for Thanksgiving.”

Dalke, whose son-in-law plays in the Turkey Bowl, saw the same level of dedication among newer members.

“When I was interviewing some of the … younger (players for the book), it was interesting because there was an unbelievable commitment they felt towards the event,” Dalke, 70, said. “And a lot of it had to do with the fact that they didn’t want to let anybody down.”

Family

Though they have to forego some family time to play in the Turkey Bowl, Ice and Dalke said their wives and families are supportive and understanding of their dedication to the game.

The subtitle of the book, “Life Lessons from the Turkey Bowl in Lawrence, Kansas,” suggests this is more than just a football game. Dalke, whose work as a family therapist, author and seminar trainer has often dealt with relationships, intersperses throughout the book his musings on how the game can parallel everyday life.

“There’s a bunch of lessons that come out of this whole thing,” Dalke said. “There’s commitment, there’s tradition that people honored, there’s family and … negotiation with family.”

Family also plays a part in recruitment. The event is beginning to gain new players who watched their fathers or uncles play, said Pat Karlin, Dalke’s son-in-law.

“They know the history and the tradition … so our kids start talking about it now, (asking) when can I start playing in it,” Karlin, 39, said.

Other players have heard about the game through friends or through area high school coaches who have been part of the Turkey Bowl. Karlin coached football at Free State High School for four years and has seen some of his former players join the event.

‘Nothing’s better to me’

The roster of players past and present boasts some well-known names. Among them is Keith Loneker, a former Kansas University football standout and NFL player; former state Sen. Mark Buhler; and KU safeties coach Clint Bowen.

Although many players are former athletes, the best part of the game isn’t getting back on the field; it’s the camaraderie and reconnecting with old friends.

“Think of Thanksgiving itself and what the holiday’s all about,” Loneker, 36, said. “To get around a bunch of your buddies who you don’t always get to see … nothing’s better to me.”

Dalke’s book is available at the Downtown Barbershop, 824 Mass., Amazon.com and through his publisher, AuthorHouse.