Aiming for the three-peat: Ink Bowl 2023 preview

This Saturday, flashes of purple and blue will path behind the gamers of probably the most anticipated, prestigious and notorious collegiate brawl of the Bay: the Ink Bowl. 

As Stanford’s fountains flip purple in preparation for Large Recreation in opposition to Cal on Saturday, The Stanford Every day and the Every day Californian are getting ready for their very own on-field custom relationship again to 1952. The Ink Bowl contests the athletic prowess of the 2 rivaling universities’ impartial newspapers by a flag soccer recreation. 

The prize? An X-Acto knife that has comfortably referred to as The Stanford Every day residence for the previous two years. Similar to the well-known Axe fought for on the massive display screen, the blade holds a longstanding time-honored custom in every college’s historical past.

Accompanied by many years of previous Every day newspaper clippings and propped up on a wood plaque, the Knife now hangs proudly at The Stanford Every day home — a far cry from the soul-crushing newsroom the Every day Cal as soon as relegated the accolade to a few years in the past.

After a 45-25 level win final 12 months, The Stanford Every day goals to conquer the Every day Californian as soon as once more. 

Present sports activities managing editor, Ink Bowl organizer and first-time participant Kaushik Sampath ’25 highlights the numerous work that must be performed to make sure a profitable Ink Bowl.

“You’ll have a look at flag soccer after which say, ‘Oh, this isn’t a really critical factor, this isn’t a critical occasion that takes numerous time,’” Sampath mentioned. “However, in actuality, it takes loads to coordinate.”

Sampath described obligations of each groups contributing to the logistical group of Ink Bowl. Elements included being aware of writers’ obligations and time allotments for Large Recreation, coordinating with KZSU, Stanford College’s FM radio station, on broadcasting their protection of Ink Bowl and guaranteeing adherence to flag soccer guidelines.

The Stanford Every day group has practiced routinely on the weekends main as much as the sport, a vital step in safeguarding the Knife’s residence. The Every day’s group this 12 months is numerous, consisting of a set of gamers from sections throughout the newspaper, presenting a novel, but rewarding problem for the group.

“Individuals who haven’t actually performed flag soccer earlier than nonetheless wish to take part … I undoubtedly wish to give them that chance to follow and see what it’s like to simply play soccer,” Sampath mentioned. 

Whereas the Axe might presently be claimed by Cal, The Stanford Every day is assured that the Knife will stay on the Farm.

“Now we have numerous gamers again from final 12 months’s group who will likely be taking part in, who will lead us to this victory,” Sampath mentioned. “Now we have individuals who can create performs and have good soccer minds.”

One among these key gamers is former sports activities managing editor and repeat Ink Bowl participant Ells Boone ’24. For him, Ink Bowl isn’t just about flag soccer. 

“My mentality and purpose is to win. We want the three-peat,” Boone wrote. “I wish to graduate from Stanford by no means having misplaced Ink Bowl.”

Boone, a veteran of the sport, participated within the crushing defeat of the Every day Cal final 12 months. He credit “the psychological benefit over Cal having gained two [Ink Bowls] in a row,” as a energy within the annual recreation.

What does a win for The Stanford Every day imply for the Cardinal soccer group? Properly, we will discover that reply in a story {that a} Stanford Every day article from 1969 prophesized.

“The college that wins The Ink Bowl loses Large Recreation,” wrote 1969 Stanford Every day author Fred Mann ’72. However with related dropping information between the Cardinal and the Golden Bears within the Pac-12, it might not damage seeing Cal lose on the Ink Bowl.

The battle of The Dailys will begin at 11 a.m. on Roble Discipline, officiated by one referee from every respective newspaper’s group. 

“They take residence the Axe, however we’re gonna be taking residence the Knife this 12 months, so let’s do it,” Sampath mentioned.