Overheard at The Game 2014: Wizard’s Chess, Obama, and Yale Mooning Everyone

One thing I’ve learned here is that when people talk about “The Game,” they’re not necessarily referring to The Actual Game of American Football Between Harvard And Yale. Most of the time, “The Game” actually means tailgate antics, half-time pranks, and ridiculously hilarious signs.

Saturday, November 22 marked the 131st incarnation of The Harvard-Yale Game. This year in particular has been rife with practical jokes and Facebook wars, ranging from On Harvard Time’s newest “Harvard Pranks Yale” video and Yale’s uncomfortable video responses to the notorious Harvard-Yale mock debate during which current Yale student body president Michael Herbert made a surprise, visor-clad appearance.

Ultimately, Harvard reinstated tradition and won out against Yale with a final score of 31-24 (so close, Yale, so close), clinching both a H-Y victory and the Ivy League Champion title for the eighth consecutive time, which according to ESPN is the first time either school has won that many times since the 1880s.

Here are some overheard conversation highlights from The Game 2014, an afternoon of blue skies, freezing winds, and sweet, sweet, victory.

In response to Yale’s spontaneous stripping spectacle mid-way through the Game:
“The Yale kids are so done that they’d rather be naked than in Yale gear.”

By Shunella Grace Lumas

(Shunella G. Lumas ’15)

Upon the Harvard University Band’s entrance onto the field:
“HEY YOU! YOU WITH THE CLARINET! THAT’S A NICE CLARINET YOU GOT THERE!”
“YOU PLAY THAT F---ING OBOE!”
They did.

By Melanie Y. Fu

(Melanie Y. F ’18)

“F--- STANFORD!”
“Hey!”
“What?
“That was my top school.”
Girl. Girl.

During the game, students discussed the relative dangers of football and other sports.
“You know what’s really intense? Ping pong.”
“No, no, full-contact chess.”
“No—wizard’s chess!”
I’m not sure if we want to know what full-contact chess is. But you know what they say about wizard’s chess.

New love seemed to blossom at the game.
“Obama?”
“Obama.”
Maybe “Obama” will be our “Always”.

The appearance of several large sticks with a certain face printed on them led an elderly alumnus to ask, with heightening panic:
“Who is the head guy? Who is he? Do you know?”
???

By Melanie Y. Fu

(Melanie Y. Fu ’18)

During the raucous post-victory field-storming:
“Oh my god, let’s take a picture!... Oh my god, I’m bleeding.”
Oh my god, are you okay.

Students were deep in thought as they walked out of the stadium in the rosy pink sunset.
“I wonder how it feels to be second all the time.”
What a thought.

By Melanie Y. Fu

The moral of the story:
“Now I know why everyone likes athletes… They’re so cool.”
Love you too, bro.

Until next time, Yale!

By Melanie Y. Fu