More Fun with the Lights On

Whether it was the smell of the barbeque in the crisp autumn air, the fight with a friend (or now enemy) over a “Crimson Crazies” t-shirt, or the thrill of watching the team run onto the field, the Harvard nighttime football game against Holy Cross encapsulated the school spirit Harvard often lacks. Even without the heroic comeback—the two touchdown dives that ignited fans—Harvard was a winner on Friday night because of the way the game rallied the campus community. But rather than sitting back and feeling proud about a fun evening and a Crimson victory, the College should instead take stock of their success and create more like-minded events.

The inclusion of non-Harvard students at (every Harvard student could bring a non-Harvard guest, free of charge) added another dynamic dimension to the event. Along with encouraging students to bring their friends or significant others from Boston schools to Harvard for the night, it also upped attendance and added to the “crowded stadium” vibe. Feeling lost in a sea of Crimson can be a good thing.

Perhaps Harvard’s obsession with being a pacesetter ought to be left at the door in this arena. Being original is nice, but if other colleges learned that tailgating and watching sports is fun, why can’t Harvard play copycat? The act of watching sports together is nothing short of a religious rite at other schools. Come Monday, conversation-starved students can re-hash the game over their cereal in the dining hall and bond with their housemates over the events of the Friday before.

Why was the night game was so much fun? It’s simple: because it didn’t feel like Harvard at all. For all the things Harvard does well, cultivating spirit isn’t usually one of them. On a campus where the majority of students spend their Friday evenings studying or fanning out to various exclusive social clubs, it’s rare to find a night time activity that’s fun for all. Night games not only connect the entire Harvard student body, but they also foster a sense of solidarity with the rest of the country: one that realized the lure of football long ago. Go Crimson!