MBA team gets kicks with sticks

The Wharton Wildmen were not to be outdone by their stronger competitors this weekend at Wharton's novice MBA "Cheesesteak Chalice Hockey Tournament." Although they received the "red light trophy" for having the most goals scored against them, the Wildmen redeemed themselves off the ice by winning the cheesesteak-eating contest and the beer-drinking contest at the tournament parties Friday and Saturday nights at Bonner's Pub. Hockey teams from graduate business schools at Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth and Cornell participated in the weekend-long novice tournament, which also included both of Wharton's D-level, or lowest level, teams. All the teams were co-ed and included only beginner-level players. The Columbia team was clearly the strongest one, and defeated Cornell in the championship game, 11-1. First-year Wharton graduate student David Rubin, a player on the D-level Wharton Wildmen, organized the tournament. He noted that the tournament was "not about winning," but instead provided beginners a chance to have some fun and to play against other students. He added that Wharton's novice players have improved significantly since beginning to play in October. The team, however, has plenty of room to advance. Rubin observed that "the slot before us was a bunch of pee wees [nine and 10 year-olds]? and they were better skaters than us." Instead of hiring professional referees, players from the A-level Wharton Wildmen officiated the games. Club captain and second-year MBA student Ted Ladd was one of the referees. Having students officiate was beneficial to the tournament, he said, because they could help "coach the novice players." Most of the games were played at the Class of 1923 Ice Rink between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. A beer keg was present in the stands and locker rooms at nearly all the games, and everyone was welcome to partake. "Our ref was drinking beers at 9 a.m. [Saturday]," Rubin observed. "So was the Columbia team." He added that by Sunday morning, the beer keg was abandoned "for the safety of the players." Rubin explained that the tournament was held this weekend partly to show prospective Wharton MBA students who came for the "Wharton Welcome Weekend" what graduate students do outside of the classroom. Since its establishment two years ago, the Wharton Wildmen has quadrupled in size. Today, the club includes 140 players on four levels. Rubin noted that the club offers students a chance to play hockey and have fun. "It's hockey, but no one would pay for it if it wasn't a blast," he said.