Harvard Rivalries

Whether you planned your own Super Bowl watch party or were too distracted by the Sunday Scaries to tune in, yesterday was a time for good-spirited taunting and glaring at your rivals. (Well, it should have been good-spirited, but — let’s face it — Harvard students are competitive.) And the rivalry doesn’t stop there; quite a few intense rivalries can be found right on campus.

Harvard vs. Yale

This one is the most obvious example of a Harvard rivalry, but it’s not one to be underestimated. The annual Harvard-Yale football game is one of the only times a year where libraries are left desolate, psets are unfinished, and tailgates are thrown (and attended). On this day it’s Harvard against the world — the world being a safety school in New Haven.

Oatly vs. Dole Whip

While the transition from the traditional soft-serve to Oatly in Harvard dining halls caused uproar across campus, the switch from Oatly to Dole Whip might just be more contested. I’ve only ever heard two polarizing opinions about this switch — you either are refreshed by the sweetness of your sorbet, with new exciting flavors every week, may I add, or just miss your classic choco-vanilla swirl.

Quad vs. River

Another obvious rivalry is one where allegiances are out of the control of most of the student body (we see you, House transfer students): student housing. River folk notoriously boast about their view of the Charles, proximity to other houses, and relatively shorter walks to class, while Quadlings argue in support of Currier dhall (duh), Cabot Cafe, and their famous Housing Day videos (unbiasedly, as a river resident myself, I think I’m Octo-Bob’s biggest fan). Nonetheless, I don’t think that this rivalry will ever be settled. May the best House win!

iPad vs. Notebook

This debate truly is one for the books, or your files app. While functionally both of these options will produce the same end result, we know that students are passionate about their choice of note-taking. There is something special about slowly filling up pages of a notebook that Goodnotes and Notability can’t replace, but there is also something nice about traveling light with a sleek tablet. You must choose a side in this debate, though — I don’t want to hear about any “paper screen protector” nonsense.

Lamont vs. Widener

As a library Hobbit myself, I do truly believe that this is the type of rivalry that breaks up friendships. In another age-old pairing of a beauty with a beast, we see Harvard’s two main libraries. Widener, the crown jewel, the flagship library of Harvard’s campus, competes with the homey, 24-hour, comfortable Lamont Library for your time and attention. While Widener lets you lean into the aesthetic of being a Harvard student, Lamont allows you to actually be a Harvard student between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., so it’s really your choice. But that choice determines where you’ll spend most of your time, so you better find friends that all follow.

Flyby vs. FlyBy

As a Flyby writer, I feel very passionate about this rivalry. As a Flyby reader, you should as well. Unlike the other rivalries, these two sides are not similar in their nature. Instead, the true rivalry lies between who truly owns this name. Which Flyby (FlyBy?) are they referring to? The one that provides you your favorite student pop-culture news, or the one that shove (lame) HUDS prepackaged sandwiches at you? We have beef, and I’m not talking about lunch meat.

Currier Ten Man vs. Kirkland Beef

Speaking of meat, this beef is not to be mistaken for your favorite FlyBy sandwich choice. I’m talking about who takes the cake for being THE Harvard dorm on campus. The Currier Ten Man sports its own elevator, bar, and massive common room, perfect for your favorite party needs and game cravings. The Kirkland Beef, on the other hand, brings the true historical charm of Harvard living to life. If you overlook the mice, the crown molding and retired fireplaces in this room remind you exactly which school you are partying at (in the best way possible, shoutout engibeering). Take your pick — or your walk, depending on which part of campus you inhabit.

All in all, some friendly competition always makes for a good time. Above any rivalry that might divide us on this campus, we will always have one thing in common — our hatred for the Lowell Bells.