Just returned from “The Game” and all the weekend festivities at EHS.
For new students, one of the first things they learn about and look forward to is “The Game.” The week before is called Spirit Week and students/faculty dress up every day in a different theme; decades, goth vs geek, etc. Sheets are hung throughout campus, displaying student spirit and to remind Woodberry players and fans (when they arrive) - they are in enemy territory. The celebration crescendos on Friday night with a bonfire/pep rally, complete with the burning of a “W.”
On Friday night while students were finishing their athletic/artistic commitments, we attended The Spirit of The High School Cocktail Reception and Dinner. This is an formal adult only soiree that celebrates spirit of “The High School.” The Board of Trustees announced the renaming of the athletic center to the “Hershey Athletic Center” in recognition of outgoing Headmaster Hershey and presented the Distinguished Service Award to Julian Robertson '51, founder of Tiger Management Corp and longtime supporter of EHS. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Robertson, look up the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program. This extraordinary four-year scholarship is awarded each year to approximately 36 (18 each to Duke/UNC) students.
After dinner we attended the student/alumni bonfire and watched the legion of students circle a bonfire that included a burning “W” (Woodberry). As the winds picked up, the fire had to be extinguished. But that did not dampen the student’s frenzied spirit. Cheerleaders rode in on motorcycles and entered what was the ring of fire. With lit iPhones, the students illuminated the cheerleaders/players and yelled cheers such as “Burn the Forest” and “Black”, “Maroon”, etc. Finally Coach V took the mic and offered some words of praise, punctuated with the rallying call to “Beat Woodberry!” With that the students ran to the next event, a DJ/dance. Both of our kids ran past us yelling “see you tomorrow!” So much for homesickness…
We arrived early Saturday morning to help set up the Class of 2017’s tailgate. The weather was glorious; 50 degrees and a cloudless ski. Tailgate food included pulled pork and chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and many desserts. Each class had its own designated area. After set up, we bounced between the Class of 2017 and 2019. Most parents/alumni were dressed in Maroon/Black and all of the EHS boys were dressed in the prep school best; white shirt and EHS tie. Girls wore black dresses, accented with Maroon scarfs and leather jackets. Woodberry fans arrived around 11 am and tailgated across the field in their own designated area. Woodberry boys (an all-boys, 100% boarding school located in Orange, VA) always looks impressive; khakis, white shirt/tie, and blue sports coat. Parents/alumni wore tinges of orange. I’d estimate that there were in excess of three thousand students/alumni/parents/visitor at the tailgate.
Around 1:15 pm, we are made our way to Hummel Bowl, EHS’s gridiron. It is a magnificent field, a picture perfect perimeter that includes a brick bowl with ivy similar to Wrigley Field’s. When I saw Hummel for the first time, I wondered if this was a high school or college field? As we made our way to the home stands, we stopped to watch the pre-game festivities. Thousands of fans had arrived and you could feel the electricity in the air. The pre-game celebration was in full gear. Woodberry students lined the field first to welcome their team, a Woodberry player sprinting with a “W” flag held high, followed by a thundering herd of teammates. EHS students lined the field next and the ceremonial Tiger, or the unfortunately selected freshman, was tormented and beaten as he made his way to the 50 yard line. He was placed in a wooden coffin with R.I.P written in red on the side and carried off the field. The Maroon team then ran through the student made tunnel. After the team made its way to the sideline, the throng of students raced off the field to the their home bleachers. It was quite a sight.
As you can see, there are high school football games and then there is “The Game”, Episcopal High School Maroon vs Woodberry Forest School Tigers, the longest running high school football rivalry in the South and one of the oldest in the USA. Always played on the second Saturday in November, the significance of “The Game” has been chronicled in magazines and the 100th game was televised on ESPN. Here is an article that discusses “The Game.”
http://www.virginialiving.com/travel-leisure/sporting/bragging-rights/
This year, EHS and WFS met on the EHS gridiron for the 115th consecutive time (longer than Army/Navy). Thousands of enthusiastic fans on both sides watched Episcopal’s D shut down WFS’s high powered offense for most of the game. Woodberry scored a touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining in 4th quarter to complete their come back and tie the game at 14. With thousands of EHS fans holding their mutual breath, they watched a EHS game winning field goal attempt fall short as time expired. Evidently, tradition is to not play OT. Thus a 14-14 tie stands, only the 9th in their storied history.
EHS Varsity football finished 6-1-1 and was co-champion of the IAC.
For high school sport fans, this is a spectacle unlike no other. Tradition coupled with college game day like atmosphere, alumni from all four corners of the world, intense and spirited play, and yet in the end, win or lose - a handshake of mutual respect at mid field. Already counting the days until next year’s game at WFS.
Finally, both kids are doing great. However they need a break. After a rare Saturday (11/21) abbreviated classes, they will fly home. Looking forward to watching them lay on the couch and laugh while watching Spongbob.