Cheaton Cup: A Pictorial Retrospective

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As a student at Acadia University, and as a resident of Christofor Hall, one of my favourite traditions has been Cheaton Cup, an intramural hockey game unlike any other. There is something about this day, this epic event, which resonates even amongst those who dislike hockey (Not me), dislike drinking (Me), or both (Crazy people). As a Residence Assistant, there are many things to loathe about this day (See: Drinking, Vandalism, Fistfights), not to even mention the fact that I’m “on duty” for about 18 hours. And yet, somehow, through the sheer spirit of Cheaton Cup, I’m okay with it all. Except the vandalism. And the fistfights. Well, I guess I’m just kinda okay with it. But, in the end, I’m okay enough.

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Chipman House on their 3-2 victory, which makes it…a lot in a row. In my time here, Eaton House (Encompassing both Eaton and Christofor) has yet to hoist the cup, and today’s loss was certainly the most heartbreaking since the overtime thriller two years ago. Both teams played hard, the game lacked the near-bench clearing brawls of last year, and the crowds stayed generally contained.

This is a bit of a miracle considering the bad blood between these residences. A mere altercation between residents from each side, even outside of the context of the game, is tension-filled. Frosh Week is a madhouse, trying to keep these two sides from killing one another. My generally passive nature keeps me from whole-heartedly joining in on the “Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, Chipman Takes it Up the Bum” chants, and the amount of apathy from Chipman doesn’t go down easy with everyone. For years this hockey game has been an opportunity for these two sides to battle over a silver keg and get out some of their aggression left unsettled for so long.

And, while I love a good hockey game as much as everyone else, I kind of wonder whether or not it’s actually a good hockey environment. This game is one of the most competitive you will ever see; the play is brutal, the pace quick, and the crowd rowdy. While this certainly makes for an experience to remember, I can’t help but feel that it’s putting far too much pressure on the players, and makes for a rather rough game of hockey.

It’s amazing to me that the “big hit” would be so desirable in a game like this. People move in to finish every single check, often forgetting that the puck is the real object. Fights break out over the smallest of plays, and penalties are taken for little to no reason. While I understand that it’s all part of the game, it can’t be healthy: 3 minors in the first minutes and twenty seconds is patently ridiculous.

But, unlike my frustration with violence in intramural broomball, this is par for the course; inter-residence rivalry combined with testosterone-charged hockey players is a recipe for this type of rough play. And, whether it suits my sensibilities or not, this is just the way that the game of hockey is played. This isn’t some sort of prissy all-star game where no one checks anyone; this is the Stanley Cup Finals of intramural sport, whether I like that fact or not.

It just makes it so tough on the players after the fact, specifically those who unfortunately lost. With all of this buildup, with all of that violence, for one group of people the impression will be that it was all for naught. For the Eaton players right now, considering everything that has occurred today, some may believe that it was a waste of their energy, that their sore backs and bruises were for ‘nothing’.

I hate this part of Cheaton Cup, from the loser’s perspective anyways. It’s incredibly frustrating to watch as people forget about all of the fun this morning, with their smiling faces and a sea of Green hoodies and white frosh shirts. They fixate their gaze to the idea of the loss, and even I am guilty of this: part of me feels that at least if the game wasn’t so violent, it wouldn’t have been quite as painful when the loss came.

But, both I and all of those around me should look to the spirit of the event itself for guidance in our reactions. The violence which bothers me was passion. The loss which bothers others was a close loss, a well-played loss, a gritty defeat. The damages over in Eaton…well, actually, that’s just plain ol’ stupidity. Cheaton Cup is an event to be remembered, not a game to be won. I’ve been here for three years now, and Cheaton Cup remains one of my finest memories purely for the adrenaline rush it provides even as a spectator.

I turned 19 on the day of Cheaton Cup in my first year. Before the age of Facebook, few knew it was my birthday, which allowed me to spend it quietly in my room ignoring the impending madness and watching ‘Finding Nemo’. I received a drunk phone call from someone when the game ended, stating that we had lost in a…triple overtime thriller? Or a shootout, I forget which. At the time, I was confused and a little annoyed.

Now, I understand that phone call. I understand the madness. I understand the spirit. I understand that Cheaton Cup, whether it is violent or damaging or frustrating, is part of my university experience. Win or loss, it is something for all of us to experience, cherish, and remember.

Oh, and next year? The Cup’s Comin’ Home.

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