CLARION
Brevard College, Brevard^ NC
Volume 54 Number 2
Wednesday, September 17, 1986
President Billy Greer, above, throws the Derby Day hat into the air,
signaling the start of the Battle of the Dorms. West Beam girls, right.
show their team “coordination” during a volleyball game on Derby
Day. (Photo by Eric Klingensmith)
Derby Day fun kicks off new year at BC
by Bonnie Davis
The thrill of victory and the agony of
defeat,” prevailed over the college cam
pus Labor Day weekend as Brevard held
its annual Derby Day celebration and Bat
tle of the Dorms competitions.
Though the day was cold, clammy, and
downright uncomfortable at times, the
students, faculty, and administration had
a good time as the games were played to
determine who is number one on Brevard
College campus.
And who is number one at BC? When the
scores were totaled up after the competi
tions, the Complex and Green dorms ended
up tied for first place. Taylor Hall and
East Beam followed in second and third
places. In the women’s competition. West
Jones came out in first plaace ahead of
East Jones and West Beam.
Following a picnic lunch, Derby Day
was officialy opened as SGA president
Susan Bethel gave a short welcome
speech, and President Billy Greer threw
the Derby Day hat into the air, signaling
the beginning of the games.
The afternoon began with some intense
vollyball playing, dominated by W. Jones
girls and the Green men. In the egg toss
competition which is always a favorite.
Tadd Conner and Dee Moulton represen
ting the Complex, beat out the other teams
by keeping their egg intact. When their win
was official, the two did a “high-five” in
the air and splattered the winning egg bet
ween them. Though the girls’ egg toss
wasn’t quite as eventful, Samantha
Douglas and Paula Swartz of W. Beam
brought in a winner.
The wheelbarrel and the three-legged
race were both dominated by the Complex
men. The E. Jones girls carried first place
in the three-legged event while W. Jones
won in the wheelbarrel race. Traditional
ly, one of the most popular events of Derby
Day is the “Izzy Dizzy” race. It was fun to
participate in, but the realfun was in being
a spectator. Contestants had to dash down
the field, run around a baseball bat 15
times, and then somehow find their way
back to the finish line. This is where the
fun happened, as contestants fell and
sweerved and ran into each other, as well
as the crowds. The Green and E. Jones
teams somehow managed to overcome the
effects of “Izzy Dizzy” and win.
Musical Washtubs was probably the
most outrageous event, and surely the
most refreshing on a hot day, but since the
weather wasn’t cooperating, things got a
bit chilly. Contestants circled water-filled
tubs, listening for the music to stop. When
it did, they made a mad dash for a tub and
the odd man/woman out got dunked head
first into a trash can filled with water.
Jason Miele of Taylor managed to sUy dry
and win the men’s round, and even though
Susan Bethel won the women’s round for
E. Jones, she still got all wet.
As the last event of the Derby Day
games, the tug-o-war usually ends up be
ing the deciding factor in determining the
victors. This competition was fierce
especially among the men, who tried to
show that their brawn is biggest and best.
In the final round which was held over the
creek, the Complex pulled a defeated E.
Beam team into the water, and the W.
Jones girls were victorious over E. Jones.
Though the competition was often in
tense, it was, however, all in good fun. Der
by Day was a great way to kick off a new
year and get to know fellow school-mates
before the pressures of the school year set
in. It was as much fun to watch as it was to
compete — and some day in the coming
winter, we’ll wish we could do it all over
again. Anybody for musical wash-tubs —
in the snow?
Fitzgerald challenges students
by Bonnie Davis
Last Wednesday Brevard College held
its annual Fall Convocation, a calling
together of the students and faculty to
welcome the beginning of a new academic
year.
Dr. Bernard Fitzgerald, senior minister
of the Myers Park United Methodist
Church in Charlotte was the guest speaker.
Though he spoke of many things, having
potential and the ability to use it was his
main point. He said, “use it or lose it.”
Dr. Fitzgerald ended his speech by
challenging students. “The greatest
failure of all, is not to try at all,”he said.
The Convocation program included a
prelude of music followed with the proces
sional of the faculty wearing their
academic regalia. President Billy Greer
gave a short welcome speech and Dr.
Charles Zimmerman gave the invocation.
Everyone joined in the singing of a hymn.
The Convocation concluded with special
music by the Collegiate Singers, and the
benediction given by Zimmerman.