Battle for Bascom crowns Lakeshore victors for sixth consecutive year

Excitement rose Monday as snow fell with the announcement that the annual Battle for Bascom would be taking place. The tradition, now in its sixth year, calls all students that currently or previously lived in the Lakeshore and Southeast neighborhoods to face off in a snowball fight on Bascom Hill.

Devin Deegan and Paul Boyer, who organized this year’s event, said they have been trying to find a perfect snow day to hold the battle for a few weeks now. As fortune would have it, about six inches of snow was dropped on Madison throughout the day.

They believe the snowball fight is a landmark event in the Wisconsin Experience, a necessary check on the infamous “Bucky List.”

“I think the Battle for Bascom means so much to a lot of people because it is about creating those experiences you can take with you for the rest of your life,” said Deegan.

Boyer added, “The opportunity to be a part of a merciless snowball fight that brings both sides of campus together under Abe’s watch is is truly unique.”

This year, Lakeshore—faced with a 5-0 streak to defend—did not disappoint when the time came to battle. They came out in the bitter cold weather in numbers completely unmatched by the Southeast neighborhood’s attendance. As 8 p.m. approached, Lakeshore’s side was already a large crowd rallying with war cries, whereas Southeast’s team had minimal numbers.

Armed with dining trays as makeshift shields, Lakeshore immediately overwhelmed Southeast. Residents of the Southeast residence halls quickly found themselves pushed off of the hill itself, retreating back to the side of South Hall to regain footing. More Southeast students came to their aid as time went on, but despite their best efforts, Lakeshore pulled out a decisive victory for the sixth year in a row.

“Sledding is fun,” Boyer remarked when recounting the importance of the battle, “Walking across frozen Lake Mendota is a yearly to-do, but the best way to celebrate a Wisconsin winter is by far with a snowball fight.”