RPI Traditions - The Cane Rush
Introduction[edit]
The traditions of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute go back to its founding in 1824. Many of these traditions have a long history but are no longer a tradition at the school. One of these lost traditions is the “Cane Rush” which was first held in 1874, the 50th anniversary of the founding of RPI.
History[edit]
At the time, canes were a popular fashion accessory and also a college status symbol. Freshmen had to earn the right to carry a cane which resulted in the tradition known as the Cane Rush. This took place annually on the first Saturday or Monday of the school year after a 5-inning baseball game between the freshman and the sophomores. Before the battle, the men would grease themselves with Vaseline to prepare for the brawl. Two men from both the freshman and sophomore classes were elected to hold the cane in the center of the field. The rest of the members of their class lined up on either end of a 100-yard field. A pistol shot from the Grand Marshall signaled the beginning of the competition, and the men would rush towards the center to try and get their hands on the cane. The battle lasted for 7 minutes and 1 shot was fired to signal the final minute of the competition. The competition ended when 3 shots were fired and officials counted the hands from each class on the cane to declare a winner. If the freshman won the competition, they could carry the canes before Washington’s Birthday. If they lost, they could not carry the cane.
Students Covered in Vaseline
Rules[edit]
The Cane Rush had a handful of rules that would be announced before the battle:
1. The cane rush was held annually between the sophomore and freshman classes on the first Saturday or Monday of the school year.
2. A 5-inning baseball game between the two classes must be held first where the location is chosen by the Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal must notify both classes at least 24 hours in advance of the time and place for the Cane Rush.
3. The Grand Marshal declares the winner of the rush and announces out loud the score (how many hands of each class are on the cane).
4. The cane is held by 4 men, 2 of each class in the middle of a field. The remaining men from each class are distanced on either side, 50 yards from the cane. The referee signals the start and the men battle for 7 minutes until the Grand Marshal counts the hands on the cane (a thumb and finger counted as a hand). The class with the most hands on the cane is declared the winner.
5. Participants must have on trousers and soft-soled shoes
6. The winning class is allowed to carry canes in the Institute Parade on the first home football game and the losing class is not allowed to carry canes.
Revival and End of Tradition[edit]
The Cane Rush, also known as the ‘Grease Rush,’ was a tradition for many years until World War II. The tradition was not continued during this time and students lost excitement for the event. It was briefly resurrected in 1949 for a few years but was officially discontinued in 1959. Students lost interest in the event, even one year with no freshmen showing up, so the sophomores won by default. The lack of student participation and excitement was the main reason for the end of this RPI tradition.
References[edit]
https://www.rpi.edu/dept/library/html/Archives/traditions/rushes/cane_rush.html