<-The Law School Wins the Dean's Cup! The Law School Wins the Dean's Cup! |Main|Of the Cats and the Uniform Commercial Code->

Of Canes and Victories

October 16, 2006 2:25 AM

nlike other, more prestigious law schools, Wisconsin doesn't have very many traditions. We don't have any secret societies (at least not that I'm aware of) or anything. No, for the most part, our Law School is pretty lame. I mean, aside from the Dean's Cup and the Gargoyle, we don't really have many traditions. And the Gargoyle sucks.

But, there's actually one other tradition we've got, and I now know it's the best. Yes, friends, I'm talking about the Cane Parade. Every year, just before the homecoming game, the 3Ls get to go out onto the field, wearing bowler hats and carrying canes. Once assembled on the field, they run the length of the field towards the goalpost on the opposite end. Once in range, they toss the canes over the goalpost and try to catch the cane on the other side. According to the legend, if you catch your cane, you will win your first case. If you don't, you're fucked.

Now, I was ambivolent about the cane toss when I first heard about it. But, as the day of my own parade drew closer, I got more and more excited. And, on the morning of the event, not even the fact that I had been working until 1am the night before could stop me from getting up at 8 to drink and toss that cane.

The time finally came, and Dean Davis lead us out of the school, down University, and towards Camp Randall.

Law students head towards Camp Randall

When we got there, confusion quickly took hold, and we didn't know where we were going. We were somewhere around the band. And, then, like a shining light of Law-ness, Dean Davis showed us the way - right down the ramp and onto the field. The recently probationed band was there, and the drums and trumpets were on either side of the law students as we ran down the ramp and onto the field. I have to admit, it was pretty much fucking awesome - I was super pissed/pumped, and I can't imagine that there was a single person that wasn't. Everyone was in a great mood as we stood in the stadium and looked up at the people in the stands:

Here's a video of the crowd atmosphere:

Then, suddenly, someone screamed "We're going! We're going!" I heard the announcer explain what the hell we were doing to the crowd as we were all sprinting across the field, screaming, having an awesome time. All my friends were there - it couldn't have been any better. I think my joy, and that of everyone else, comes across in this video taken by Doug:

Once we all got down to the other end of the field, there was hugging and screaming and congratulatory reveling. Then more confusion. But, eventually, we all found our way to our seats:

The game was fun, but it was cold (something about steam pipes . . . ). We left after the third quarter, by which time it was obvious that it was a blowout and that Minnesota was basically the worst football team ever, after Temple.

We came back to the school, drank some, and then ate, and then drank, then napped, then drank and ate. And napped. Here's me and my friends at Ginza of Tokyo:

From left to right: Elise, Ryan, Zachar, Cristina, Laurence, Kristin, Cole, and yours truly.

Anyway, it was a great day. One of the best in recent memory.

Now I'm going to get some sleep. Lots of it.

Oh, and, by the way. I caught my cane.

Powered by TagBoard Message Board

Name URL or Email Messages(smilies)

RSS