Game 1 – Clemson vs. Grinnell
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts school of 1,700 students located in central Iowa. Want to ask hard questions and question easy answers? Be a Grinnellian!
Speaking of questions, what small Iowa school has an esteemed 3-2 program for engineers? That’s an easy answer. Don’t question that one.Their teams are the Pioneers, excepting their ultimate frisbee teams, who are the Grinnellephants and Sticky Tongue Frogs. If they never win another game again, they’ve won for best mascots.
Game 2 – LSU vs. Pacific Lutheran
When a group of Norwegian Lutheran pioneers decided to settle in Parkland, Washington in 1890, they founded what is now Pacific Lutheran University, currently home to 3,100 students. Their first president was Reverend Bjug Harstad — just in case you thought I made up that Norwegian Lutheran business.
Their teams are the Lutes. Their football team has won four national championships, all coached by head coach Frosty Westering, likely named because he was so easy to talk to. I kid. He’s an incredible guy.
Game 3 – Washington & Lee vs. Iowa State
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts school of 3,200 students in Lexington, Virginia. The original school was founded in 1749, but was then endowed with $20,000 in 1796 by Mr. George Washington himself!
W&L still maintains an Honor System, established in the 19th century. There are unproctored exams. Take-home closed-book finals. Students are trusted not to cheat because honor is to be taken seriously at Washington & Lee, and we all know how much millennials understand and respect honor.
Their teams are the Generals, for obvious reasons.
Game 4 – Rice vs. Minot State
Minot State University is a public school of 3.200 located in Minot, North Dakota. Minot is pronounced MY-nit. Let’s move on.
Looking for one of the nation’s best speech pathology programs? Try Minot State. It’s the ninth one down. At Minot State, all students pay the in-state tuition rate. Me oh Minot State! Guess where this former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff graduated from. Yep.
Their mascot is the beaver, and their colors are red and green, not because Minot State celebrates Christmas, but because beavers are known to celebrate Christmas. A subtle yet important distinction.
Let the games begin!
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