To get fired up for game time, athletes Matthew B. Wallenstein ’06 and Christopher W. Black ’06 like to listen to inspirational music. As the pair relaxes in uniform before a competition, the gentle strains of Bach symphonies play in the background. Their bow ties are knotted, their blazers are wrinkle-free and they are ready to brave the inclement weather for the brand-new Harvard Croquet Society’s weekly match.
The Harvard Croquet Society (HCS) was established a month ago when Wallenstein and Black wanted to play the refined game, but did not have the funds to buy a croquet set. After petitioning the College for finances, Wallenstein and Black became the respective President and Vice President of HCS. Their brand-new group quickly attracted other mallet-wielding students. “We said croquet, and people came running,” says Black. The society currently consists of about twenty members, mostly first-years, and is equipped with a constitution that outlines the rules and regulations of conduct. Sportsmanship, fairness and dress code are the key principles in the society’s charter.
Though they started playing in the Yard, matches now take place on the knoll outside the Science Center, because the college deemed the Yard off-limits. HCS is undeterred. Says Wallenstein, “We’ll play no matter what.”
Playing conditions are poor on this cold and windy Sunday, but spirits remain high. Chivalry is alive and well in this crowd. The gentlemen set up the course while the ladies wait huddled under the protection of an umbrella. Though the men are usually expected to wear sports coats, slacks, button-down shirts and ties, the day’s weather calls for an exception. “In case of poor weather,” explains Black, “overcoats and sweaters can be worn. The sweaters can be draped or worn, though draped is preferred.” The women are also delicately dressed, sporting black and red skirts, fur coats and exquisite hats. “It’s all absolutely marvelous,” says Eda Pepi ’06. “I look forward to it every week.”
While observers often seem uncertain what to make of the society, most of the reaction is positive. “A lot of the tour groups like to take pictures of us,” says Wallenstein. Today, however, the reaction is not so encouraging. Upon passing these aristocratic athletes, a group of Harvard Law School students unleashes a barage of cruel taunts. “Hey, why don’t you play a real sport?” yells Josh Waltman. It is, says another HLS critic, “excessively Harvard.” Members of the society don’t seem to mind the criticism. “If this is wrong,” says Luke M. Rickford ’06, “I don’t want to be right.”
The society meets once a week, through rain, snow, sleet or injury. “We push through because we’re not average” says Black. “This is Harvard. Go hard or go home.” The Society plans to continue to play regularly throughout the winter. It should be noted, however, that both founders of the club are from Texas and may not really understand how cold and nasty New England can be. Aside from planned weekend gatherings, the croquet society also has spontaneous night-time events, most of which occur around 3 a.m. “We’ve got an itching for croquet,” says Black, “and we’ve got to scratch it.”
