Bo’s Battle ‘QUE Competition at Gardner-Webb Joins Southern BBQ Network

New Partner Shares University’s Mission; Proceeds Support Alumni-Sponsored Scholarship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Bo’s Battle ‘QUE is back at Gardner-Webb Homecoming this year as a sanctioned event by the Southern BBQ Network (SBN), a 501c3 charitable organization. SBN was formed in 2010 by people who love to eat barbecue and share a passion for the art of preparing it. The mission of SBN is to preserve southern barbecue through qualified trained judges, while also improving communities through supporting charitable events.

“We chose SBN because of their mission,” noted Leah Clevenger, GWU director of Alumni Relations. “For Homecoming this year, we are calling on BBQ teams to fire up their smokers for a great cause: student scholarships. This year’s winners will not only have bragging rights for the year ahead, but they will also take home prize money!”

Clevenger added, “Last year, Bo’s Battle ‘QUE enjoyed a great inaugural year. We had alumni, football parents, and community members bring their teams to support a friendly competition that was focused on raising money for student scholarships and having fun! The teams were so generous, and we learned so much from them. The teams encouraged us to go for year two.”

As the Alumni Advisory Board started planning for this year, one of its members, Jo D Franklin suggested joining SBN. As the director of Bessemer City, N.C., Parks and Recreation, he works with SBN to host a barbecue competition every year for his department and knows the group is a valuable partner.

The Best Smoke winner from last year, Smoke Showin’ led by alumnus Brandon Workman and his teammate Westley Pitchford, has already signed up to compete again this year. Other winners last year were Best Sauce: Hawlin’ Buttz BBQ led by alumna Mandi McManus and her husband, Lane; and People’s Choice Smoke was awarded to Clueless BBQ led by alumnus Shane Walker. Peoples’ Choice Sauce went to Black Hat BBQ led by alumni Delton Barnes and Will Manning.

This year, Bo’s Battle ‘QUE has the following categories: Pork Butts, Ribs, and People’s Choice. All SBN rules will apply to the competition. Two bone-in pork butts will be provided for People’s Choice, but teams will be responsible for providing ribs. All teams must participate in People’s Choice.      

Competitors are invited to set up on Oct. 18 by 3 p.m. on the grassy field across from Spangler Stadium.

Registration is $250 and includes two bone-in pork butts, four Homecoming football game tickets, and one parking pass.

Bo’s Battle ’QUE Schedule

Friday, Oct. 18

• 3 p.m. – Team Check-in begins. Team space will not be assigned. First come, first served.
• 5:15 p.m. – Cooks’ meeting and distribution of two bone-in pork butts per team.
• 6 p.m. – Cooking may begin.

Saturday, Oct. 19

• 9 a.m. – Teams turn in pork butt submissions.
• 10 a.m. – Teams turn in ribs submissions.  
• 11 a.m. – People’s Choice begins. Guests will purchase People’s Choice tickets for $5 each. Supplies for sampling and voting will be provided to each team.
• 1 p.m. – People’s Choice ends.
• 3 p.m. – Teams will be recognized on the field at halftime of Homecoming game and winner will be announced.

Prizes for Butts & Ribs:

• First place in each category – $250.
• Second place in each category – $150.
• People’s Choice winner will receive trophy.
• Grand Champion – $750.
• Reserve Grand Champion – $300.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.