By Marin Murray, News Editor
The week-long schedule of events celebrating the Battle of the Ravine will conclude with Rally on the Ravine and the sophomore and freshman classes’ designated Guard the Tiger nights as they aim to promote school spirit leading up to the much-anticipated rivalry football game against the Henderson State Reddies on Saturday. “I would just encourage people to come, because we only get college once,” senior senator Alli Hylkema said. “It’s such a unique opportunity, specifically for Ouachita students. So, if you have the chance to come, you will not regret it.”
Tonight, the sophomore class senators will host a patriotic-themed event full of free food, entertainment and games starting at 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. in and outside the Evans Student Center. The freshman class will follow them tomorrow night with a “Boot Scootin” bash that is open to all Ouachita students to attend, regardless of class.
“You’re guarding the tiger, but you’re not actually standing in front of it,” senior class president Heather Dunavan said. “Basically, you stay up late and hang out with all of your peers in your grade.” The senior class kicked off the four-night tradition of keeping watch over the campus’ mascot on Tuesday with a “Final Jam” themed extravaganza, featuring a pickleball tournament, a live band and several other activities. The junior class followed them up on Wednesday with a sleepover-themed movie night.
“It’s a great way to cultivate community within your class, because it’s a class-oriented event,” Hylkema said. “It’s just a great way to get to know your peers and to be involved with them in a fun event that is prepping for such a big game.”
Another tradition that takes place during this rivalry week is a week-long stakeout as the men’s social club, Rho Sigma, spends the entire week guarding the tiger. The club set up camp in front of the marble tiger’s enclosure on Sunday and will have members occupying the tent at all times until the big game on Saturday.
“It’s a really unique tradition here at Ouachita,” Rho Sigma president Chapman Cooper said. “My favorite memories are being with the brothers and sleeping out in the tent. There are so many funny stories from that and so many cool things that go on surrounding that.” The club received a grant that allowed them to host a cookout for students, inviting others into their beloved tradition and working together with Student Senate to promote school spirit and serve the Ouachita community. “Our club constitution talks a lot about how, as a club, Rho Sig can better Ouachita,” Cooper said. “I think it’s a really fun way for our club to do that and to have a good time while doing it.”
Students are encouraged to attend the remaining nights of guarding the tiger and the Rally on the Ravine, an event organized by the Office of Student Life that will lead into the final night of Guard the Tiger in which student organizations will provide refreshments and various activities at the center of campus from 8-10 p.m. “No one at any other school can say that they stayed up all night with their peers doing something like this,” Hylkema said. “I always have such a good time with everyone else, and the chaos is so much fun.” The rivalry week will conclude with the football game as the Tigers look to beat the Reddies on Saturday in the final home game of the season.
