Back in the day when I was an agriculture student at Massey University, there were drinking games.
I don’t mean those things that happen spontaneously whenever university students and alcoholic beverages are gathered together. No, I’m talking about properly convened formal events. Events with scrutineers, timekeepers, electronic timing devices, assorted other officials and competitors in different categories. The beverage being consumed was beer, generally DB draught delivered for the occasion by mini tanker from the Fitzherbert Tavern.
A consequence of the outcome of the annual event was the selection of a team to represent Massey at the Winter Tournament. The Tourney, as it was known, also involved proper sports, like hockey, rugby, netball and so on. It was hosted on rotation by each of New Zealand’s universities. Successful participation would result in a University Blue being awarded. I’m not sure if Blues were awarded for drinking, but I wouldn’t be surprised. The world was a bit different back then.
Drinkers were allowed specialist events. Some participated in all of the events. For the benefit of any teetotallers who may be reading this, I should note that beer is not a performance enhancing drug, so things generally tended to get a bit untidy as the day unfolded.
The “guns” were generally exponents of the single glass events, the 7 and 11 ounce categories. There were specialist jug and yard drinkers who would usually wait for their event to roll along before they started drinking. Others were less disciplined. A goodly sized crowd could be relied on to offer encouragement to the participants.
A filled glass of ale was placed on an electronic trigger. Removing the glass would activate the electronic timer. Putting it back again would stop it. A 7 ounce exponent would need to down the contents of their glass in less than 0.3 of a second if they wanted to be competitive. Jugs were about the 4 second mark. Spillage was carefully monitored with disqualifications handed out if this exceeded 5%.
There were heats and finals for each event. Contestants could compete in multiple events, and many did. There were mens’ and womens’ sections.
There were even team events -- Boat Racing, as it was known. Twos, fours and eights. Seven ounce glasses were consumed consecutively by team members. The fastest team won, spillage considerations notwithstanding.
The day’s events concluded with what was known as the Chunder Mile. Yes, gentle readers, the intention was completion in the fastest time with mandatory regurgitation. At least one Technicolor Yawn™ required. Few starters were sober. The event was broken into quarters, each requiring the consumption of a measure of ale and a cold pie.
Once all of the official proceedings were completed and prizes awarded, it was time for the after-match festivities and a bit of cleaning up for the organisers.
I understand that tertiary students today are motivated solely by academic success and minimising their student loan debt levels. Bless them.
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