After finishing my first year at DePauw, it’s safe to say that I have been thoroughly desensitized to nudity.  

My comfort with the bare body stems from the long standing DePauw tradition of sprinting to the boulder in the middle of campus in the nude, aptly referred to as a “boulder run.” You might be wondering what inspires someone to go on a boulder run? In my experience, there are a number of reasons why someone subjects themselves to such a great tradition and, potentially, humiliating experience.

Games

Beer Pong. This standby played at most college parties across the country for fun has particularly high stakes at DePauw. The standard rule is “lose by six cups or more and you have to drop trou.” The only way you’re going to ensure that your pants stay buckled, is a “gentleman’s agreement,” a pact that takes boulder runs off the table.     

Caps. “Splash!” That’s the sound you’re begging to hear when you’re sitting around lazily playing a game of caps.  If you don’t hear the pleasing sound of your cap touching down in an opponent's styrofoam cup, you’re in trouble. 

Videogames      

FIFA.Soccer is typically a low scoring affair when it’s played by humans on a real field. When the beautiful game is transferred to the virtual realm, scores can skyrocket. Lose by five or more and fail to score -- expect to take a nice run.

Madden.In recent years, DePauw’s football fans have not been strangers to losing. While our Tiger’s may have been struggling on the field, many other students have been honing their own football skills with the assistance of Coach Madden. If you do step on to the virtual gridiron, try not to lose by more than 31, otherwise you’re taking part in this fine DePauw tradition.     


Traditions      

First snowfall. If running through public in your birthday suit doesn’t sound miserable enough, try doing it in below freezing temperatures. It has become a long-standing DePauw tradition, for students to make the dash to the boulder with friends on the night of the first snowfall. Just a little advice -- make sure to wear your shoes. Slipping on black ice, doing a face plant and ending up sprawled on the snowy ground in the nude is not a pleasant experience. Trust me, I know.      

Bid night.The social life at DePauw revolves around fraternities and sororities, so it makes sense that being invited to join one of those institutions is a big deal. Bid night festivities are different for every house, but it is not uncommon on these special nights to see packs of students dashing from a fraternity or sorority to the boulder.  This tradition even made it into Playboy in 1972.