Hope College - The Pull

The Pull is an annual tug-of-war between the freshman and sophomore classes at Hope College. The Pull takes place across the Black River in Holland, Michigan, and now takes place on the first Saturday of October every year ( Prior to 1993 it was held on a Friday). The Pull is the oldest college tradition in the U.S., dating back to 1898. During the Pull, each team has 18 students on the rope as "pullers," and another 18 acting as guides and morale boosters, or "moralers." The freshmen are coached by the junior class, and the sophomores by the seniors. This arrangement has led to the rivalry between even and odd year classes. Even year's colors are red and white, while Odd year's colors are maroon and gold. Even year holds the annual series lead with 54 wins to Odd year's 41. The competition is now limited to three hours, however it previously had no time limit. The winner is decided by a measure of which team has taken the most rope.