As most people know, this weekend is Homecoming. I say most people, because I am not so sure about the freshmen. I don't know if it is just that I am getting old and Alzheimer's is setting in but I really believe we had more school spirit when I was younger. I remember the home side of the alumni stadium split into two sections, one for the freshmen and one for everybody else. When I went to a football game the other weekend I could count the number of '03s on one hand. It was a pathetic show. Granted, when I was a freshmen the football team went 10-0 but that really has nothing to do with it. I'm talking about school spirit.
I was so upset with the poor freshmen turnout the other weekend that after the game I went back to my dorm room and called my sister. "So Sara" I said. "What happened? Why didn't you go to the game?"
"I slept through it," she said.
"It started at noon." I said.
"Well it's not like they won or anything." she replied. It is exactly that sort of response that I am talking about. Of course it is nice when your team wins, but they are supposed to be your team either way. You should get out there and support them, or at least be there to heckle them when they lose. I hear negative reinforcement can be just as effective.
Unfortunately, the freshmen just don't seem to care about tradition. For example, they all own '03 jerseys but they wear them to Food Court and as for make up, I haven't seen a single '03 paint their face green yet. Come on guys, it washes off eventually.
The other day I was walking with my boyfriend and we saw a group of freshmen sitting on the senior fence. When we tried to politely explain to them why they shouldn't be sitting there one of them stood up, a beefy guy with a thick neck, and said "oh yeah? Wanna try and make me move?" Given the fact that we are non-violent types we simply explained the story behind the fence and moved on. However, traditionally, that freshman would have been picked up by his legs and dunked head first into the concrete watering trough that used to stand in the corner of the green. It is now located in front of Webster Cottage but unfortunately, that's just a little too far to drag someone.
My point in writing this column is not simply to rag on the freshmen (I can easily do that in person) but to inspire you guys. Dartmouth is a school full of traditions but if they continue is up to you. Go to the football games, build the bonfire, run around it 103 times, go down to Harvard next weekend, paint your face green, memorize the alma mater (it's not that long) and for God's sake, be proud of your school. There isn't another like it anywhere.
