Whistles, flags and staring contests: Axe Committee retains college spirit alive

When you’ve begun to consider that Stanford’s practice schedule has picked up within the final week, you may thank the Axe Committee.

As Large Sport approaches, the committee embraces its many duties to rally up campus power. Amongst them is a staring contest with UC Berkeley’s Rally Committee through the remaining quarter of the sport. 

The committee commits itself to nurturing college spirit. At its core, the committee serves because the guardian and champion of the Axe, a logo of victory within the annual Large Sport towards UC Berkeley that dates again over 90 years.

In 1930, Axe Comm’s founding members, the “Immortal 21,” recaptured the Axe from Cal. Over the following a long time, the committee underwent numerous transformations. The up to date iteration of the Axe Committee has been energetic since 1982.

As we speak’s committee members actively take part in numerous athletic occasions, bringing pleasure to the sidelines throughout soccer season. Members wave flags, launch t-shirts and blast their iconic practice whistle every time Stanford scores.

Hayden Henry ’25 serves as chair of the Axe Committee. He joined the committee as a frosh, drawn to its energetic ambiance and the chance to immerse himself in its spirited world.

One in every of Henry’s standout moments was his function because the Large Sport Week coordinator in 2022. This place entails organizing occasions through the week, together with tenting out on the Birdcage at White Plaza 126 hours earlier than kick-off to have fun the 126th sport and blasting the practice whistle hourly main as much as the sport.  

So as to add enjoyable to the countdown, the Axe Committee invitations campus celebrities to return blow the whistle at numerous hours. These people embrace directors, professors, coaches, gamers and fellow college students. Committee members additionally dye fountains into the colourful Stanford coloration.

“We submit work orders to the College to request non permanent deactivation of filters within the fountains,” stated committee member Anastacia Del Rio ’25. “This permits the pink dye we place in them to stay vibrant all through the whole week.”

“This yr’s Large Sport Rally is a memorable occasion, that includes soccer seniors, a freshmen band kick-off and a nod to the Axe custom’s historical past,” Henry stated. In line with member Oriana Jackson ’25, the committee has been making ready for Large Sport for the reason that summer time.

Members of the Axe Committee voluntarily bear complete coaching classes, from understanding security measures throughout video games to operating Stanford flags on the sidelines, blowing the practice whistle and elevating and reducing objective publish nets. 

Aside from safeguarding the Axe and attending soccer video games, the Axe Committee hosts numerous social occasions that foster camaraderie. Whether or not it’s Axe-frosh rollouts, sport watch events with pizza or a particular dinner coined “Particular D,” the committee desires to create lasting connections amongst its members. This yr’s “Particular D,” themed “RIP Pac-12,” befell in Valerio’s row home and tried to carry members collectively earlier than the Large Sport.

The Axe Committee’s shut ties to the Stanford soccer workforce are unmistakable. Members get to go on the sphere and work together with the gamers. In addition they have a secret lair often called the “Axe Home” within the stadium.

Fabian Valerio ’24 serves because the committee’s recruiting and social chair. He found the committee throughout a sophomore yr actions truthful and was instantly drawn to the infectious power and vibrant spirit radiated by its members. 

“There are not any downsides to becoming a member of Axe Comm!” Valerio stated. Amid Large Sport week and all year long, committee members are dedicated to embodying the essence of “Buck Ferkeley.”