Caltech Students Continue Tradition at the Rose Bowl

The teams that took the field at the Rose Bowl last Friday afternoon were composed of none other than Caltech's own Fleming House denizens, past and present. Continuing a tradition started in 2001, the students took the afternoon off to socialize with their fellow Flems, get to know some alumni, and play a few games of touch football in Myron Hunt's famous stadium.

"We look forward to this because it's been a part of Fleming House for a long time now and we get to play in one of the greatest stadiums in the country," says sophomore Justin Khim, one of Fleming's two athletics managers. "It's tradition and fun in the sun."

Alumnus Mike Conry ('06) says he comes back for the football reunion every year. "It's great just to hang out with your old friends and to see the new generation of Flems," he says.

Three rounds of games pitted all four undergraduate classes against each other, with the alumni joining the seniors in the tournament. The sophomores came out victorious this year. But the event is not just about winning for everyone. "You feel like a family when you're out here," says Nikita Sinha, a junior in the house. "There's a lot of pride in the house, and you get to play some football while you're at it. It's just nice being outdoors with your friends."

Besides, how many people can say that they've played football at the Rose Bowl?

Next weekend, as part of Reunion Weekend, each house will host a reunion event for its alumni. Avery will hold its festivities on Friday, May 18; Lloyd and Page will host theirs on Saturday, May 19; and Blacker, Dabney, Fleming, Ricketts, and Ruddock will get together on Sunday, May 20. Visit the Seminar Day & Reunion Weekend website for more information on all the planned activities.

Watch a slideshow of the event at the Rose Bowl.