Collegiate Times

Image: 2013-01-28 21:26:25

Charge and counter-charge went back and forth across the Drillfield on Saturday during the Cadet vs. Civilian Snowball Fight.

More than 1,000 students participated in the annual tradition, many wearing various costumes or wielding homemade shields such as trashcan lids, pizza boxes and signs.  One cadet was dressed in camouflage and carried a Captain America shield.

The fight started at one in the afternoon and continued for several hours, shifting to various locations around the Drillfield as the snow steadily ran out.  Some students used the accumulated snow on the side of the roads for additional ammunition and rushed forward with snow-boulders. 

As snow ran out, some of the civilians and cadets wrestled for ground, or charged into the opposing line to reclaim lost pizza boxes.  In addition to throwing snowballs, at least one cadet used a lacrosse stick to hurl snowballs at the civilians.

Those who did not participate either stood back and observed, or watched from the pillars at War Memorial Chapel.

The fight was not completely bloodless.  Several students received minor injuries, and several cadets were taken to the regional hospital afterwards.

The victor was not clear by the end, and who won is still debated by both sides.

A version of this article appeared in the Jan 29 issue of the Collegiate Times.