Arielle Goralski
News editor
Beginning in 1917, a tradition came to Shorter University that used to take place each homecoming week.
This tradition is known as the “Where is the Crook” game. The game pairs freshmen and juniors, and then seniors and sophomores on the opposing team.
The Crook is a long wooden stick that is hidden someplace on campus, very similar in appearance to a shepherd’s crook. There are not any clues given about the location of the stick or how to find it, but the students on each team must race to find it first. The winner of the game in the previous year determines who will hide the crook for the new year.
Bailey Wheeler, freshman middle grades education major, thinks the tradition is a way to keep Shorter’s history alive.
“I think it’s great that Shorter decided to bring back the tradition of the Crook game!” Wheeler said. “It’s a great competition between the classes and is a fun way to get the entire campus involved.”
Mandy Dinsmoor, junior secondary education major, is staying hopeful for the junior/freshman team duo for a win.
“The Crook game is a great way for some friendly competition between different classes on campus,” added Dinsmoor.
The game was suspended for several years but has now been brought back to the lifelong Homecoming festivities that occur at Shorter each year.
The game is sponsored by SUSAA, Shorter University’s Student Alumni Association.
The rules for the game are as follows:
1.) At least 1.5 inches of the Crook must be showing at all times.
2.) The Crook may not be submerged in water while it is being hidden.
3.) The Crook must remain on Shorter’s property.
4.) The Crook may not be taken by force or used as a weapon against any team member.
5.) The Crook may be hidden in a dorm between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. (normal visitation hours) only on Tuesday through Friday.
6.) All Student Handbook rules apply while searching for the Crook.
7.) The Crook may not be taken by a junior/freshman if it is being held by a senior/sophomore.
This year, since the Crook was not found before Homecoming, the game is being extended until Halloween. Therefore, there is still time to get your classmates out and search. If found, the Crook should be taken to Chase or Chaz Bowles, co-presidents of SUSAA. The class/team combination that finds the Crook will win a pizza party sponsored by SUSAA.
