UC Rally Committee
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The University of California Rally Committee (also known as the Rally Committee or Rally Comm) is one of the oldest and largest student organizations on the UC Berkeley campus. Established in 1901 by University of California President Benjamin Ide Wheeler, the Rally Committee members are the Official Guardians of California Spirit and Traditions. The Rally Committee is comprised of hundreds of student members.
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[edit] History
[edit] Card Stunts
Card stunts originated in the 1910 Big Game against Stanford University. Their appearance at this game marks the first appearance of card stunts and the Rally Committee is attributed with their invention. At the time, it was an activity known as "bleacher stunts." In these stunts, students in the rooting section are handed thick paper cards of certain colors and instructions on when to hold up each color. As the rows begin to hold up their cards, scenes depicting California pride, campus monuments, campus triumphs, and some trash talking are visible in the alumni section. Card Stunts became very successful and popular not only at the University of California, but at many other schools and sporting event. This has spread to be performed many other sporting events including NFL Super Bowls, the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic games.
While early card stunts were designed by hand and required volunteers to individually write directions for student-section participants to hold up and change cards, Committee members later developed software to simplify the process. Today, a card stunt image can be designed and instructions created for each of the 250+ participants involved all in a few minutes on a computer.
[edit] California Victory Cannon
The California Victory Cannon is one of the most recognizable aspects of California football. From its location high atop "Tightwad Hill" overlooking Memorial Stadium, it can be heard throughout the city after the Golden Bears score. Originally modeled after an actual Civil War Cannon, the cannon has been adapted to fire off firework charges. For every game, the Cannoneers and their Cannon Crew man the cannon. The Cannon is fired for touchdowns, field goals, and safeties to let the whole campus know of a California triumph. Originally, the Cannon traveled to away games and is even rumored to have given the Trojan Horse a heart attack several years ago. However, due to NCAA and Pacific Ten Conference regulations, it has been retired from traveling and remains one of the few remaining Cannons in College Football. The cannon first made its appearance in 1963 as a gift from the Class of 1964.
[edit] Big Game
The Big Game is one of the great rivalries in College Football. Stanford University and the University of California play for the Stanford Axe every year.
[edit] The Stanford Axe
The Stanford Axe is the perpetual trophy of the Big Game, the annual contest between Cal and her archrival Stanford University. The members of the Rally Committee are the guardians of the Axe when it is in California's possession, the Chairman of the Rally Committee being the official Custodian of the Axe.
[edit] Executive Committee
The Rally Committee is led by a group of individuals that form the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee currently consists of the Chairman and a number of branches, each of which oversees certain aspects of the Rally Committee. The Chairman, the three Vice-Chairs, the Treasurer, and the Secretary form the Executive Board.
[edit] Chairman
[edit] Membership Branch
- Vice Chair of Membership
- Director of Activities
- Director of Member Programs
- Director of Athletics
[edit] Spirit Branch
- Vice Chair of Spirit
- Director of Rallies
- Director of Stunts
- Special Events Coordinator
[edit] " "
- Treasurer
- Director of Security
- Cannoneers (2)
[edit] Public Relations
- Vice Chair of Public Relations
- Publicity Coordinators
- Director of ASUC and Student Group Relations
- Director of Residential Halls and Greek Relations
- Director of Bay Area and Community Relations
- Director of Media and Business Relations
[edit] Resource
- Secretary
- Historian
- Director of Alumni Relations
- Director of Multimedia
