Editing RPI Traditions - The Cane Rush (section)

= Rules =
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.