Trisha Arora/Photo Editor
At this point, you’ve already been indoctrinated. The words of the Wesleyan Fight Song have been stamped into your brain—if not the entire song, then at least the ear-splitting “GO WES!” and accompanying fist-pump that mark its end. But if you’re one of those people who think they can get away with not having the entirety of the song committed to memory, think again. During the next four years, you’ll find yourself in plenty of situations in which you are grateful for your knowledge of our cult anthem—I mean, fight song. Trust me.
1. Sporting Events
Nothing embodies the spirit of the fight song like a Wesleyan football game. Whether you’re on the team, in the crowd, or in the pep band (okay, especially if you’re in the pep band), you don’t want to be the one loser who’s dumbfounded when the entire stadium (I use that term loosely) breaks out into a vicious rendition of the chant. What are you, an Amherst student or something? Are you even IN the ’Cac?
2. Usdan
Things happen in Usdan, and I’m not just talking about brunch. There could be a flash mob coming your way. Or a huge blizzard might start while you’re eating dinner, trapping you there for a few hours because you don’t want to get bowled over by the wind while walking back to your house on Washington Street (I’m not speaking from experience here or anything). Or you might find yourself surrounded by a horde of DKE brothers shouting “DEEK DEEK DEEK DEEK!” while making the Delta symbol with their hands. In any case, you’ll want to be prepared to fight back. And fighting back invariably entails using the Fight Song as your first line of defense.
3. The Library
Stressed out by the 10-page paper you’re trying to crank out on the ground floor of Olin? Chances are that the person sitting next to you is dealing with a similar situation. And the person next to that person, and so on. What better way to commiserate and express solidarity? Bonus points for initiating the Fight Song in the silent reading room, where people have a tendency to glare at you for breathing.
4. The Memorial Chapel
You might be in there for a religious service, an organ concert, or a Christopher Owens performance (which happened last year, but history may repeat itself—who knows). Whatever the case may be, the Memorial Chapel is a spiritual place, and nothing is more spiritual than the Fight Song—especially when it’s done in conjunction with any of the above types of events. With the Chapel’s high ceilings, stained glass windows, and reverberating acoustics, you will never have a more transcendental experience during your time at Wesleyan.
5. Flip Cup
This one is self-explanatory, so I’m not going to go into it.
6. The Classroom, e.g. Trying to Get Your Professor To Give You a Better Grade
Full knowledge of the fight song demonstrates diligence, perseverance, and loyalty to your school and education. If you feel like you deserve a better grade, approach your professor after class and start arguing your case. If your professor starts defending the grade you’ve been given, remember the stirring words of our battle cry: “Never give in.” Politely interject by chanting the fight song at full volume. If your professor joins in, you have it in the bag.
In sum: if you haven’t memorized the whole fight song yet, get on it. Don’t be the one who lets the masterpiece of Clifford L. Waite, Class of 1906, fall to the wayside. I guarantee that it will serve you better than any mathematical theorems, poems, or specialized WesWings orders that would take up a similar amount of brain space. And if you really want to go the distance, you can always download the Fight Song Ringtone. It’s available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry. Seriously, Google it.