'vär-s&-tE
From the old abbreviation of the word
University.
Varsity Sport:
US term to describe inter-
college/
university sport.
UK term to describe a
sporting event between the old
university rivals of
Oxford University and
University of Cambridge.
The first recorded such event was in 1829 when the two universities had the first
boat race at
Henley-on-Thames when Oxford beat Cambridge but lost the next two encounters in 1836 and 1839.
Traditionally only a few
sports where played such as
rugby,
rowing and
ice hockey, now there are few
sports which aren't played at Varsity level, some of the more unusual sports played are
pool and
tiddly winks.
As a mark of
acheivement to the people who represent their
university in a varsity match a 'Blue' may be given to a player who has shown great
dedication. The term Blue comes from the traditonal
sporting colours of the two universities, light Blue for Cambridge and dark Blue for Oxford. Depending on the validity of the sport in general will depend on how much of a Blue you receive in it. The traditional sports men and women will receive a full blue and those of
pool and
tiddly winks receive only a quarter Blue with various levels of Blue between.
Varsity Spirit:
Term used to describe the rivalry between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, whether describing
sports, academia or other parts of Student life. A plain example of such rivalry is given in the poem named 'Twas the night before Varsity'
Twas the night before Varsity
'Twas the night before Varsity,
And all through the
City,
The
players were praying,
The Tabs
1 would be Shity.
Most were quite
sleepy,
But none touched their beds,
While
visions of
shutouts,
Danced in their heads.
Some
students had scattered
To places more tame,
Imagining hat tricks,
They’d score in the game.
In my own room,
I had been pacing,
And dreading the game,
I soon would be facing.
The pucks and the sticks,
Were stacked near the bin,
In hopes that Varsity,
Would lead to a
win.
I stared at my kit,
But my thoughts were fleeting;
My eyes went a blur,
Fearing that we’d take a beating.
"Some
pizza might help,"
I though with a shiver,
But each place I called
Refused to
deliver.
I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel,
With
futures depending,
On goals scored in duel.
When all of a sudden
My door opened wide
And
Patron Saint "Puck-the-Tabs"
Ambled inside.
His spirit was careless,
His manner was
mellow,
But summoning effort,
He started to bellow:
"What kind of
player
Would make such a fuss
Over playing the Tabs
When they fear us?
Slapshots!
Wristshots!
On Last Year's Results!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last-Minute Shots!"
His message delivered,
He vanished from sight,
But we heard him
laughing
Outside in the night:
"Your
coaches have trained you,
So just do your best...
Happy Varsity to All,
And to All, a good rest."
1Tabs- Derogatory name given by Oxford students to Cambridge students, comes from the old name of Cambridge Cantab.
Poem taken from OUWIHC used by permission