Provost John Etchemendy gets hints on blowing the Big Game horn from members of the Axe Committee.
The horn that sounds like a train whistle? The one that blasts every hour? That’s the sound of BIG GAME approaching.
Each year, members of the Axe Committee camp in White Plaza to oversee the annual marking of time until the football game against the University of California at Berkeley, or Cal, by blowing an ear-splitting horn every hour, night and day. It’s the 115th Big Game, so naturally, the committee counts down 115 hours.
The students create a shelter of sorts and at night sleep on the small stage area between Dinkelspiel and the U.S. Post Office. They spend daylight hours chatting, watching TV and doing chemistry homework. All in the name of Big Game tradition.
They ask faculty and staff to join in the whistle-blowing fun. All that is required is a tolerance for loud noises and the ability to make two quick pulls on a rope, followed by a longer, firmer one.
PROVOST JOHN ETCHEMENDY did the honors at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. JEFF WACHTEL, senior assistant to the president, blew the horn on Tuesday at 1 p.m. GREG BOARDMAN, vice provost of student affairs, is scheduled for Thursday at noon, followed by HARRY ELAM, vice provost for undergraduate education, on Friday at noon.
The horn is part of a week-long series of activities celebrating one of the nation’s most historic and riveting football rivalries. The Big Game is scheduled for Saturday at noon at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Stanford leads the all-time series 57-46-11. The winner claims the axe that signifies victory. Can’t make the game? It will be nationally telecast on Fox.
Also featured this week is GAIETIES, the annual student-written musical comedy designed to unite the Stanford community in opposition to Cal. This year’s production, called Full Doom on the Quad, features two lovers, one from Stanford and the other from Cal, who, according to the website, “must face challenges, rivalries and ridiculousness as they participate in one of Stanford’s beloved traditions: Full Moon on the Quad.”
Another favorite tradition involves the impaling of a stuffed bear that stands in for Oski, the Cal mascot, on top of the Claw (White Memorial Fountain) in front of the Bookstore. The fountain spurts red-colored water in response. The “bearial” was held Monday, with the Stanford Band officiating.
The week also features other athletic competitions: Big Sail, for instance, was held on Tuesday on San Francisco Bay. Big Chill, which is on Friday, pits Stanford versus Cal in ice hockey. Big Splash features the men’s water polo teams on Saturday, and Big Ride is an equestrian event that will be held at the Red Barn on Sunday.
For more information on the history and traditions of Big Game, visit the website. Go Cardinal. Beat Cal.
