Yonsei University vs Korea University Annual Games ...

Last weekend was the Yonsei - Korea annual games - a very BIG deal !! It seems like every one of the 30,000 students at Yonsei U. and every one of the 30,000 students at Korea U. attended the two day event. Classes were canceled on Friday for the entire university. Faculty and staff all went to the Olympic Stadium to watch student teams compete in 5 different sporting events: baseball, basketball, ice hockey, rugby and soccer. The students never stopped chanting, and singing and cheering and moving in synchronized motion (Photos 1,2, and 3). They were lead by the university cheerleaders - polished dancers and singers who choreographed all the cheers ( Photo 4). These games have been going on for over 100 years. During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910-1945, they were one of the few traditions allowed to continue. So the games, in addition to being a competition, provide a strong feeling of national pride. Administration from both universities participated on the field during the opening ceremonies. The mayor of the city spoke and declared the games "Open". Yonsei won the baseball and ice hockey games. Korea won the rubgy and basketball games and the soccer game was tied 1-1. So the event ended in a draw - a fitting result. We had a great time ( photo 5). The buttons on our chests say "Come to Yonsei -- Prepare for the World."