Yale traditions: old blue meets new

Yale. The name itself carries a certain weight, a seriousness that conjures up images of young men in jackets and ties, ambling down cobblestone paths surrounded by Gothic architecture. The very word "Yale" is a tradition all on its own, a tradition of academic excellence and prestige. There is a lot more to Yale traditions than just rigorous academics and old buildings; Yale traditions range from the classic to the, well, quirky.

Perhaps the first Yale tradition that freshmen encounter is the "rush" held by the 14 official Yale singing groups for incoming frosh. In the first few days of orientation, there is a massive singing group jam, where the frosh can hear each singing group and decide which ones they want to rush. For the next month, the singing groups hold tryouts, and at the end of rush, each group "taps," or selects, their new members on Tap Night. Tap Night is held on Old Campus, and each group runs from room to room tapping new members.

There are two senior singing groups, the female Whim `n' Rhythm and the male Whiffenpoofs. At the end of the school year, these two groups choose the best junior singers and hold their own Tap Night on Old Campus. The Whiffenpoofs are the oldest singing group at Yale. They sing every Monday night at Mory's, yet another famous Yale tradition.

Mory's is a members-only restaurant which specializes in "cups"--champagne-based, color-coded drinks. The traditional rules are easy: as the cup is passed around the table, each person gives it a half-turn before drinking. The cup can never touch the table; if people start singing while you are drinking, you can't stop until they do; whoever finishes a cup must dry it with their hair so that, when the cup is placed upside down on a napkin, no ring is left after the cup is lifted. The tradition used to be that a ring meant the drinker would pay for the next cup. This practice isn't strictly enforced now that cups are so expensive. Yalies can join Mory's with the sponsorship of a current member.

Entry into one of Yale's secret societies works in a similar fashion. At the end of the school year, current members--all seniors--propose certain juniors for membership into their society. The societies induct new members on their own Tap Nights, evenings filled with crazy costumes and strange rituals. The societies are small, groups, which, in some cases, congregate in their own "tombs." The tombs are tall, windowless buildings scattered around campus. Very little is known about what exactly goes on in secret societies, but there are plenty of rumors. Many say that the friendships which develop between society members are lifelong.

The Guild of Yale Carillonneurs serenade Yalies on a daily basis by ringing Harkness Tower's bells at 12:30 and 5:00 p.m. The group's repertoire includes familiar tunes such as the Sesame Street and Star Wars themes, a wide range of '80s hits, and classical pieces by Mozart and Beethoven. Auditions for the Guild start in the beginning of the year--after a lot of practice, new carillonneurs are initiated on their own Tap Night. Inductees parade around campus with kazoos, horns, and pictures of towers which they strap to their heads.

Every Yalie can and should participate in "The Game," the annual football battle between Yale and Harvard held before Thanksgiving break. Before the contest, Yalies hold tailgate parties in order to get into the rowdy mood which the Game demands. Last year Harvard won 26-21, but Yale still leads the century-old series 61-44-8. This year the Game will be played at the Yale Bowl, a 70,000-seat football stadium built in 1917. When Yale scores, the stadium erupts with a rendition of "Bulldog," written by Cole Porter, '13. Also featured at football games is Yale's official mascot, Handsome Dan XVI. The dapper bulldog has a white "Y"-shaped design in his fur.

Yale Football games have been a tradition for Yalies since the mid-1800s, but a recent addition is the "Saybrook Strip." At the end of the third quarter of every game, a loyal contingent of Saybrugians doff their clothes to the tune of "The Stripper." The Yale Precision Marching Band refused to play the song in the past year, so Saybrugians now provide their own accompaniment.

All students can taunt other residential colleges with inventive cheers and pride in their own college. Sometimes, the cheers are more interesting than the football. Saybrook and Jonathan Edwards are known to engage in lunchmeat wars. One brave Sillimander makes a statement each game by taking the college's flag for a lap around the field. Timothy Dwight taunts other colleges with a chant that exhibits their strong command of profanity.

Another sports tradition involves Yale's track team. Dressed in white, these athletes participate in the 101st Annual Beer Relay around Old Campus.Interestingly, every year is the "101st Annual Beer Relay."

For those less serious athletes, there are intramurals. The 12 residential colleges battle it out in sports ranging from soccer to ping-pong to co-ed innertube water polo. Be warned, however, that the annual quest for the Tyng Cup, the prize for winning intramurals, can become fierce. This past year TD took the cup after a close race with Ezra Stiles and Berkeley.

The Tyng Cup should not be confused with the Gimbel Cup, awarded to the college with the highest average GPA, nor with the Tang Cup, for the college which fields the fastest beer-drinking team after a day-long contest during Spring Fling weekend. Last year, Calhoun women and Saybrook men brought this one home.

Hungry Yalies opt out of the dining halls to brave the "Doodle challenge" a burger-eating contest held year-round by theYankee Doodle, a grease-laden sandwich shop near Davenport. The Doodle runs a booth at Spring Fling for strong-stomached Yalies eager for a place in history. The record, set in the '95-'96 academic year, currently stands at 23 butter-topped burgers consumed in one sitting.

Many smaller traditions add color to the Yale calendar. On Halloween, costumed Yalies stop by President Levin's and YCC's Halloween carnival, enjoy a raucous Yale Symphony Orchestra (YSO) performance, and go dancing at the Pierson Inferno.

In chilly December, Yalies ball-hop from one residential college to another in semi-formal attire. Each college offers a unique "ball" experience--some hire professional jazz bands, while others feature traditional DJs. Before the balls, freshmen come together for the Freshman Dinner, held in Commons. Ice sculptures, a parade of food, and sumptuous deserts are fixtures at this annual frosh-only feast.

The mother of all formals, the Winter Ball, takes place in the beginning of February. With help from the Yale Ballroom Dance Team, students learn to waltz, tango, and three-step. For the entire month of February, the brothers of Yale's DKE fraternity host Feb Club, a party each night at a different location combatting mid-winter blues. For party-hungry students, the key to Feb Club is locating each party--they're not advertised like weekend frat festivities. Feb Club concludes with a secret bash often held in New York City.

Spring brings Yale's biggest campus-wide party, Spring Fling. TheFling traditionally takes place on Old Campus or Cross Campus. While bands like They Might Be Giants, George Clinton and the P Funk All-Stars, and the Lemonheads are the main attraction of Spring Fling, Yalies also amuse themselves with carnival events like a velcro obstacle course and a moonbounce.

While the images of timeless tradition conjured up by the word "Yale" may seem daunting, don't be scared. Just remember that Yale traditions are a mix of the timeless and the tacky.

Photo by Tyler Mertes.

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