FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[sigma one]

firstdown:  never, ever would say that the Wabash question and statement aren't at the very center of the way Wabash wants its students to approach life. The world is competitive place.  Let's get away from (can we ever?) banning dodgeball and not keeping score (jeez, I don't even like the 10-run rule in h.s. baseball, which for one thing denies the losing team's players a few more at bats and fielding opportunities)--and parents going legal because their little darlings didn't win and were embarrassed, or the other team won big in spite of doing everything possible to be fair.   That's why I really couldn't figure out the attitude of those coaches I overheard--although I recognize many place would not tolerate the language.  It's cultural and historical.
       

[wally_wabash]

firstdown:  never, ever would say that the Wabash question and statement aren't at the very center of the way Wabash wants its students to approach life. The world is competitive place.  Let's get away from (can we ever?) banning dodgeball and not keeping score (jeez, I don't even like the 10-run rule in h.s. baseball, which for one thing denies the losing team's players a few more at bats and fielding opportunities)--and parents going legal because their little darlings didn't win and were embarrassed, or the other team won big in spite of doing everything possible to be fair.   That's why I really couldn't figure out the attitude of those coaches I overheard--although I recognize many place would not tolerate the language.  It's cultural and historical.
     

I'm sure those coaches NEVER have asked their kids to "fight" for that extra yard or to "fight" through that high ball screen or to "fight" for that extra half second off their personal best 200m time. 

"Fight" doesn't have to mean violence.  I think my favorite definition that I've seen for "fight" is "to endeavor vigorously to win."  I like that, but Wabahs Always Endeavors Vigorously To Win isn't quite as catchy.  Nor does it look as nice up on the wall of the fieldhouse or Chadwick Court. 

[waf56]

waevtw56 would not be a very good screen name either.

[wabndy]

Sigma,
Your earlier post from the archives is worth reposting:

       As reliable Wally recalls, The Bachelor of September 25, 1919 says:  "Wabash Always Fights," a sentiment expressed by Ed Ziegner, '10, in the course of the alumni rally held at the gymnasium on Friday night, stands fair to become a slogan of the college as a result of the session, the first of it kind to be given. . . .Ziegner . . .struck the keynote of the whold evening and of the whole history of Wabash in his short talk in which he said that "Wabash teams do not always win, but they always fight."  Unconsciously as the remark had been dropped, it marked a climax and a remark that promises to go down in the college history.
     And it has. 
     These days it's applied not only to athletic teams but in many circumstances.
     I'm sure at some point we will hear it on Saturday.       

[firstdown]

Sigma One - perhaps it might be a bit more "politically correct" to say "never quit" or something of the sort, but the basic lesson of the mantra is as true today as it was in Sapp Wilson's day.  While a slaughter rule may be appropriate in first grade t-ball, in high school and college sports there will be times when you win and times when you lose.  Losing can be a good teacher and motivater.  Some of life's lessons are hard ones.  It is better to learn them on the playing fields than to end up on the battleground in Afghanistan or wherever and have to learn them truly underfire.

Kenyon, Hiram, and recently DePauw and Allegheny have taken some hard lumps.  Kenyon played with pride on Saturday at C'ville and I suspect that Hiram and DePauw will as well.  Allegheny will find their footing as well.

Wally - I agree.  "Fight" does not mean violence.  It means to means to endeavor with all of one's spirit and ability and not give up.   

[ExTartanPlayer]

Also worth noting is that Carnegie Mellon's fight song (wait a second...do we have to change the term fight song now, too?) is titled "Fight For the Glory of Carnegie..." and begins with that very phrase, repeating the world Fight something like 20 times throughout the song.

Frankly, I'm nauseated by the thought that someone is so sensitive that a phrase including the word "fight" could possibly be construed as offensive when its real meaning is very, very obvious.  And while I've taken a few knocks on the head, I'm hardly a Neanderthal-meathead incapable of rational thought.  I've always thought that Wabash Always Fights is one of the coolest little slogans ever associated with a school.

[wally_wabash]

"Never quits" is more PC.  It has also long been a staple saying of our rivals to the south, no doubt as some kind of unclever counter to "Wabash Always Fights". 

Wabash Always Fights.  You just feel good saying it. 

[firstdown]

I agree that "Wabash Always Fights" does roll of the tongue more easily.  It also helps regain focus when the cheer goes after a questionable penalty or orther setback during a game.

Further, I seem to recall that the precursors of football have their origins in the Middle Ages when kings were looking for ways to keep their men at arms sharp during times wheh they weren't needed on the battlefield.  George Carlin had a great routine about the terms used in footbal being more martial in nature versus baseball. The object of football is fight to the end zone and score, whereas in baseball you want to be safe and get home.

[wally_wabash]

That's one of my favorite Carlin bits.  And I like me some Carlin. 

[Li'l Giant]

I think my favorite definition that I've seen for "fight" is "to endeavor vigorously to win."  I like that, but Wabash Always Endeavors Vigorously To Win isn't quite as catchy.  Nor does it look as nice up on the wall of the fieldhouse or Chadwick Court.

I think that would have to be painted on the long side wall of Chadwick Court rather than the current wall.

[bashbrother]

That's one of my favorite Carlin bits.  And I like me some Carlin.

and here it is......   http://youtu.be/qmXacL0Uny0

[smedindy]

I think my favorite definition that I've seen for "fight" is "to endeavor vigorously to win."  I like that, but Wabash Always Endeavors Vigorously To Win isn't quite as catchy.  Nor does it look as nice up on the wall of the fieldhouse or Chadwick Court.

I think that would have to be painted on the long side wall of Chadwick Court rather than the current wall.

In the dark days of late November or early December, Endeavoring Vigorously is definitely de rigueur at Wabash.

[frank uible]

"Fight" in its fundamental sense means exercise the will to survive.

[wally_wabash]

Game of the Week in the league has a trophy on the line.  It's Old Red Lantern week for Wooster and Denison. 

[formerd3db]

Game of the Week in the league has a trophy on the line.  It's Old Red Lantern week for Wooster and Denison. 

Okay, wally, very neat. I guess I'm a little lazy right now in not looking that historical information (actually have a commitment to go to right now).  So would you fill me/us in on the history of that rivalry please?  I assume it has perhaps something to do with the train between the two towns where each college is located since it involves a lantern? Thanks.