Bar Bowl

Let me tell you about an awesome UB Law tradition that took place last weekend. It is called Bar Bowl, and it is amazing.

Bar Bowl is the law school's flag football tournament (to be fully accurate its two hand touch). It draws from all the years, although it appears that 1L and 2L teams are the most numerous. It is a double elimination tournament, played 8 on 8 on fields about 25 yards in total length. The SBA (Student Bar Association) sponsors it.

The football action was pretty exciting. It is coed, and there are of course rules about playing a certain number of females at all times. Interestingly, there are also rules about 'forced gender' plays, where a lady has to either throw, catch, or run with the ball. On the opposing side, none of the men can play defense. While at first it seems almost like a left handed compliment, it turned out that by virtue of having some really talented girls on our team, we ended up scoring on almost every single 'forced gender' play. In fact, the girls on our team probably scored 2/3 of all our points.

The competition was pretty fierce as well. Although the fitness levels varied greatly, most of the game seemed pretty close. We played two very close games that came down to the final drives, but did lose handily to the returning champs. The student refereeing was for the most part very good. Of course, you always find a few examples of bad sportsmanship, but in general the spirt was more have a good time than grind your opponents into the dirt.

Also, the faculty team was impressive to watch. Dean Closius is quite the athlete. I think its great that so many faculty members come out to these events with the students as well.

The other piece that I have neglected to mention about Bar Bowl, and part of what makes it so entertaining, is that it is a drinking event. Our team began at 9 am with a team stretch, followed by a team beer chug. Players were subbed out to waiting Mimosas. I think Milwaukee's Best, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and of course Mr. Natty Boh himself were de facto sponsors. This is also why our team of 20 made so much sense, about half way through the second game people were taking longer and longer breaks.

But of course, this is law school, and fortunately we have some experience with alcohol. As soon as our first game was over, we fired up the grill, and the SBA provided water and pizza to help balance out the booze. While much beer was consumed, and while people definitely 'loosened up' this event was free from major binge drinking or scarily high levels of intoxication. People got loud and laughed easily, but I did not observe anyone staggering (except from sore muscles). If anything, nothing makes quick friends like coed football, a grill, and cheap beer.