Page 9 The Yale Record - November 2001 A History of The Game he concept for “The Game” 1865 “MIT’” shot out of the zero-yard line istration on the East Coast, loves a was born with the historic MIT first admitted students in and over the goal post, dazzling an good practical joke. President TYale-Harvard “Who’s got the 1865, preceding the first Harvard- awestruck stadium. Charles Marstiller Vest was recently biggest Jimmy?” contests of the early Yale football game by ten years! And The 8.5' x 3.5' banner was ex- observed laughing heartily as he in- 1850’s. But it was not until a chilly thank god, because MIT students pertly concealed under the grass just spected his bra-filled office. November afternoon in 1875 that the have delighted our hearts and minds inside the end zone and was propelled Harvard Cantabs met the beloved ever since with their zany pranks, or gracefully aloft by a model rocket Faculty Interest Yale Bulldogs for the first time on the hacks. “Hacking is to MIT what engine controlled by wire running un- gridiron. This inaugural installment of football is to other schools,” said der the field and into the Harvard Economics professor Franco the athletic clash of the titans ended Samuel J. Keyser, professor of lin- stands. An MIT student connected Modigliani, a Nobel Laureate, claims in complete and utter embarrassment guistics and special assistant to the the wires in the stadium to a battery that the Harvard-Yale Game is his for the Elis: Harvard scored four provost at MIT, at the first Tau Beta pack concealed in the inner pocket favorite sporting event of the month of his jacket to ignite the rocket. As of November. He regularly treks any MIT guy will tell you, “all tech from his office off Massachusetts men carry batteries.” Avenue to Harvard Stadium or to the Soon after, this engineer was car- Yale Bowl, depending on where the ried off the field in a barrage of cheers game is being played. He seldom vis- and was later named to the MIT its the stadium where the game isn’t Board of Trustees. being played. Economics majors look forward to seeing Professor The Game as Alumni Event Modigliani, a Nobel Laureate, decked out in full body paint. Other Many MIT alums take in the students, who know him solely as Game. Drew Connolly, MIT ’67 “that guy decked out in full body says that he hasn’t missed it since paint,” look forward to his clever use 1963. “I love the passion involved,” of the words “fuck” and “bitch” he said. “I love the idea of ‘my school throughout the event. is better than yours because we have

touchdowns and four field goals, Pi Leonardo da Vinci Dinner lecture holding Yale to zero. of 1982. How right he is! Much like the historic “Who’s got the biggest Jimmy?” contests of the 1982 1850’s, Yale eventually came out We all remember the Game of ahead. Overall, Yale holds the lead in 1982. Who can forget the stunning the series with a 64-45-8 record. halftime show? A weather balloon As Harvard students board trains bearing the beautiful word “MIT” on November 16 and 17 this fall, they was inflated and released from its sub- will note heartily that little has changed terranean subterfuge. This hilarious in 117 years. The Amtrak trains look hack was so effective that it actually the same, and, although The Game overshadowed two other brilliant no longer decides National Champi- hacks brilliantly executed in the same onships, it continues to allow students game! Yes, the MIT band, masquer- and alumni at one school to put down ading as the Harvard band, managed their counterparts at the other. Much to play the MIT fight song on the field. at least 22 more athletically gifted men The Future of The Game like the historic “Who’s got the big- And legions of MIT undergrads man- than you do.’ It makes me feel glad gest Jimmy?” contests of the 1850’s. aged to take to the stands and dis- to have gone to MIT, where most It appears as if the tradition of But like the historic “Who’s got the tribute cards that spelled MIT when people think Athletics is an 18th cen- MIT-Harvard-Yale football will con- biggest Jimmy” contests of the turned over. Yale and Harvard will tury mathematician.” tinue well into next year. 1850’s, the game is really about never forget how they were so inge- The Association of MIT Alumni “who’s got the biggest spirit.” niously shown up on their own turf! claims that the Game is a major op- For more information on The Mas- “Yeah, I remember that game,” portunity for alums to give to their sachusetts Institute of Technology, Moments of Sublimity said Calvin Bell, MIT ’84. “I Alma Mater. Approximately 34% of please visit www.mit.edu or contact couldn’t believe how well MIT per- donations are earmarked for MIT’s Since highlights from the Harvard- formed.” Harvard-Yale Game program. Office of Admissions Yale Football Game are about as fa- Massachusetts Institute of Technology miliar to us as the role of Topological 1990 The Administration’s Take on The 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-108 Filtermaps in the installation of Bela Just as Yale prepared to score a Game Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Kuhn in Bulgaria, here is a brief yet field goal half way through the third essential guide to some of the most quarter of the 1990 Harvard-Yale Even the MIT administration, quite Or call 617-253-4791. stirring moments: football game, a banner with the word probably the greatest college admin- --

 Ezra Siller ‘05 The Yale Record Presents ... Master’s Tea for Scott Dikkers Co-founder, Former Editor-in-Chief of The Onion December 6, 2001 Details TBA