Following the now infamous Benzing flood, I decided to look into Hillsdale’s extensive history with aquatic disasters.
Imagine my surprise when I unexpectedly discovered that in the early days of Hillsdale College, the students and faculty intentionally flooded the college facilities.
On Jan. 22, 1925, the Collegian published the headline, “Attempt Being Made to Flood Grid Field: a traditional scheme to convert Martin Field into a Skating Rink.”
Now this is a flood I can get behind. Up until this point I did not know it was an option to exchange our football team for an ice dance team.
The article reads, “For four days and four nights the long, snake-like hose, poured its mighty stream of old Baw Beese on the field where battles have been won and lost.”
It continued, “An unconquerable spirit of optimism still bid us hope to witness the coeds cutting circles over a perfect icy glare, or a hockey game in full swing.”
I feel like I just read a poem instead of a newspaper article.
Apparently this flooding of the field was a bit of a tradition for Hillsdale.
On Dec. 21, 1916, The Collegian reported, “The Student Council has petitioned the Prudential Committee, that the students be allowed to flood Martin Field for a skating rink. Many other schools all over the country are doing this, and we cannot see why Hillsdale should not follow suit.”
Surprising logic from Hillsdale. If every other school accepts government funding, I guess now we should too.
“Many students have expressed desire that some form of outdoor sport could be started, that would provide for the much needed exercise during the winter months,” the article continued.
Three years later, on Jan. 16, 1919, The Collegian published, “As in former years the Student Council is taking up the matter of flooding the athletic field on the back campus to provide a skating pond.”
The article continued, “In former years the students have enjoyed skating on the pond on the campus and it is felt that one should be provided again this year. As it is, students must go to Baw Beese Lake, or other bodies of water at some distance from the campus, thus losing considerable time in going and returning.”
Correct me if I am wrong but Baw Beese is a two-minute drive from this campus.
I have been told that this was published in 1919 and it’s possible that cars were not as common on campus. Perhaps my source has a point.
Continue on with the flooding, you have my blessing.
The article concluded with a hope and a prayer: “With the pond at our back door more students will avail themselves of the opportunity to indulge in this very healthful and invigorating form of exercise. Then let’s all pray for the continuance of the cold weather.”
I can’t say that I have ever said that prayer while in Hillsdale.
Talk about flooding the football field dates back to the 1800s.
In a column entitled “Hall and Campus” published Dec. 31, 1896, The Collegian wrote, “After no little effort on the part of the boys who have remained about the hill during vacation the athletic field has been flooded and placed in proper shape for all lovers of the beautiful and healthful sport of skating. A rink of the nature of this one cannot but have many decided advantages over a pond or lake.”
The article continued, “Its absolute safety commends it to all; the assurance that the ice will be kept in proper shape, the fact of the rink being conducted with no hope for private gain, and many other noteworthy and laudable factors all conspire to make this rink popular and worthy of support.”
I’m not sure we should just assume a skating rink constructed by 18-year-old boys is definitively safe.
But safety is a minimal concern when it comes to fun, so I say let’s bring this forgotten Hillsdale tradition back to campus. My name will be first on the signups for ice dancing tryouts.
