By Lillie Tretter, Staff Writer
Every year for nearly a century, the men of Rho Sigma have returned to the center of campus to guard Ouachita’s beloved tiger every night of the week leading up to the biggest game of the year, Battle of the Ravine. Day and night, the club sets up camp in tents surrounding the tiger to protect it from possible vandalism throughout the week.
In 1935, B.F. Worley, one of the club’s founders, was struggling to pay tuition. He made the tiger that stands in the campus center today. By the late 1930s, vandalism during Battle of the Ravine week began, and since then, Rho Sigma members have been responsible for guarding the tiger. This not only started a long-lasting tradition and forever brotherhood, but also fostered the community pride and school spirit, as seen at Ouachita today.
Rho Sigma begins preparing for this week months in advance to guarantee that every night runs as smoothly as possible. “Each day has a special night that is unique to the student body and the club. We meet with student life to ensure a smooth schedule to maximize the enjoyment of the experience for all students,” says Vice President of Rho Sigma Joe Phillips. Each day of the week, the club hosts special events to get everyone on campus involved in guarding the tiger.
On Monday, they host an NFL Football watch night on a jumbo screen while listening to music and throwing the football with each other. On Tuesday, they host a mixer with the men of Eta Alpha Omega in the center of campus, where their tents are located. This night is filled with friendly competition and games such as spike ball, Tug o’ War, cornhole and capture the flag. On Wednesday, the club hosts its annual cookout, serving burgers and hot dogs to the student body. On Thursday, the club makes torches for the seniors on the Ouachita Football team, another longstanding tradition they partake in. Over the last few years, they have introduced a new tradition on Thursday nights, which includes hosting a concert for students. On Friday, the night of Rally on the Ravine, the men of Rho sigma are on standby guarding the tiger to ensure that it remains untouched the whole night.
For member Seth Shoop, his favorite night of the week is the Tuesday Mixer. He explained, “The mixer was one of my favorite nights because we got to compete against all the other guys in different sports and activities. We had a great time throughout the whole night with both clubs, all while keeping the tiger safe. It helped both clubs mix, hang out and bond together by playing activities everyone enjoys.”
While the week is filled with lots of fun activities, it also has moments where the men of Rho Sigma are tested on their ability to successfully guard the tiger. Last year, while guarding the tiger in the freezing cold, Phillips recalls having to chase away vandals who were attempting to spray paint and silly string the tiger. “We made sure nobody touched our precious tiger. It is something I will never forget,” says Phillips.
Not only do the men of Rho Sigma help protect Ouachita’s campus by guarding the tiger, but they also help create a stronger community on campus. They are creating memories, bonds and experiences for all students on campus that will last a lifetime.
