{"id":34240,"date":"2024-04-15T13:16:40","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T17:16:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=34240"},"modified":"2024-04-18T14:45:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T18:45:22","slug":"iconic-traditions-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/iconic-traditions-final\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Most Iconic Cornell Tradition? Vote in the Final!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is it cheering for Big Red hockey at Lynah Rink\u2014or savoring a late-night snack at Louie’s Lunch (or Hot Truck)? You decide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Corey Ryan Earle \u201907<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The championship is here! With record turnout, more than 1,400 of you voted to determine the final two iconic Cornell traditions that are now vying for the title. Neither semifinal matchup was particularly competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The timelessness of \u201cWatching the sunset on Libe Slope\u201d couldn\u2019t stop the juggernaut of \u201cCheering for Big Red hockey at Lynah Rink,\u201d losing 36% to 64%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other half of the bracket, \u201cSavoring a late-night snack at Louie\u2019s Lunch (or Hot Truck)\u201d defeated \u201cCommiserating\u2014or celebrating\u2014with a friend at a Collegetown bar,\u201d 63% to 37%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which brings us to our championship matchup: Lynah vs. Louie\u2019s. Hockey vs. Hot Truck. Pucks vs. PMPs.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do these results tell us about the Big Red experience? Are hockey and late-night snacks the most uniquely Cornellian\u2014or are they simply the two shared experiences that most unite the Cornell community? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to argue that cheering for a sports team or ordering from a food truck are unique to Cornell or even to college, so what makes these traditions feel so iconic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps it\u2019s that special spirit of the Lynah Faithful that surges through the crowd as they chant \u201cSieve!\u201d after a Big Red goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cornell
Will this beloved Big Red traditional prevail? (Cornell Hockey Association)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Perhaps it\u2019s the wave of nostalgia that hits alumni as they remember standing in the cold with friends on Stewart Avenue and opening that paper bag filled with piping hot French bread, mozzarella, and pizza sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s not a coincidence that Lynah Rink and the Hot Truck opened within three years of each other, in 1957 and 1960, respectively. Is a particular generation of Cornellians dominating the voting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are hockey and late-night snacks the most uniquely Cornellian\u2014or are they simply the two shared experiences that most unite the Cornell community?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Although the Hot Truck is no longer a campus fixture, Louie\u2019s Lunch on Thurston Avenue <\/strong>still is\u2014and it dates back a century, making it one of the bracket\u2019s traditions that every living Cornellian had the opportunity to experience while on the Hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Louie’s is likely one of the longest-serving college food trucks in the country.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, which draws a larger audience? Lynah or Louie\u2019s? Which is more iconic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Or, will alumni vote with their stomachs\u2014and fond memories of Hot Truck and Louie’s fare? (Provided)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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By this time next week, we will have crowned the champion and determined the most iconic Cornell tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a reminder, here are the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Vote in the championship below, and you can download the full bracket here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCorey\u2019s March Madness Bracket 2024: Final<\/a>\n\n\n\n

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\u2022 Championship voting runs from now until 8 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 22, with the winner declared later that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Corey\u2019s March Madness: Cornell Traditions, Final<\/div><\/div>