PRD74;842117147 said:
Cal tradition, in my opinion, is in the eye of the beholder. How anyone can claim that they understand Cal traditions better than anyone else is a bit ridiculous. Why do the current "official student representatives" have a better understanding than anyone else? If anything they know less than any person who has been associated with Cal for a period longer than four years. From what I see, the Cal Band, the Rally Committee, the Mic Men, and the Song/Dance Team, etc. of today are all different from what I saw when I went to school. Mr. Permaul, why wasn't I consulted? I have been a season ticket holder probably longer than you have been associated with the University. I painted the Big C in 1971, when did you?
Any group of Cal students/organizations can do whatever they want and call it a "new tradition" and that's the way it has been since 1868. The Cal traditions of yesteryears had different colors, different fonts, different logos, and the Cal Band Drum Major did not leapfrog over the Point of the Wedge in the pregame show. When I see people complaining over the loss of "traditions" like the arched "California" on the basketball jerseys or block "C" on the baseball caps, I remember seeing "Bears", not "California", on the basketball jerseys and a Script "C" on the baseball caps.
The tradition at Cal is that it's traditions change every year. As for the complainers, what a bunch of self-righteous crybabies.
:rant
Disagree.
Yes, Cal tradition means something different to each student. But this does not mean that there is not a general consensus shared among a large number of students. I believe tht the bulk of Cal students (who give a rat's as* about Cal tradition) would agree that the Campanile, Sather Gate, Oski the Big C,the Script Cal, the Big Game, Card stunts, Big Game Rally, The AXE, the Victory Cannon are all Cal Traditions (along with many others).
Likewise if one looks at the words in the age old songs of California you will hear references to items that are Cal traditions.
And there are many cheers that are Cal traditions. Oski-wow-wow, the Axe yell, for old timers the Hakka.
Some fall out of favor: Serpentines, Pajamarino Rallies, Smokers, House Decs.
But that does not mean that there are no traditions or that anyone can make up a tradition and call it a tradition at the drop of a hat.
Personally I agree with Nad in that the Athletic Department fails to recognize the stake that students and alums have in the California Traditions. With each new coaching change or change in the Cal marketing department, they feel they are free to "mess" with Cal Traditions.
These people are often NOT Cal graduates or Cal alumni.
They are often "short timers" (by which I mean fewer than 10 years at Cal).
They have objectives and motives different than the Cal students alumni and Fans.
So why are they given so much authority to "mess" with Cal Traditions.
I agree with you to the extent that you are saying people like you should be consulted. The alumni assn should reach out to Cal alumni on issues such as this. In this age of social media and electronic communications, why not open things up for alumni and students to give their opinions on topics such as this.
One issue that needs alumni and student comment is:
What about the use of Oski. Rumors are that the Athletic Department is downgrading Oski and not bothering to protect the Oski logo.
If true, this is INSANE.
[As for your comments on Nad Permaul's tenure at Cal. Give him a break. IIRC he graduated just after I did. I am Cal Class of 1968 (hence "68Great"). So he is probably a year or two ahead of you.]
