Hope sophomore class wins big in annual Pull competition

HOLLAND — The winners of Hope College's annual Pull tug-of-war event got even this year — as in the even year team.

Hope's sophomore class (2028) or “Even Year” team notched the win in this year’s epic Pull event, pulling more rope than its “Odd Year” (freshman class of 2029) opponent, with its 49-foot-7-inch gain.

The Pull advisors and judges referred to this year’s contest as “very close” because the losing team’s rope gain is not publicized.

The Hope College Pull is one of the longest college traditions in the country and took place for its 128th year in Holland on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Each team sported 17 students in their individual shallow pits, tugging for three hours on the 600-foot rope that weighed 1,500 pounds. By their side was a “moraler,” a teammate responsible for relaying strategic tips to their puller, while also keeping them focused and motivated. The moraler takes cues from their team's “caller,” who stood high above their team, giving strategic visual cues when to “heave” or “strain.”

The annual competition fuels a rivalry between the even-year and odd-year classes, or the freshman versus the sophomore class. Juniors serve as coaches for the freshman team, while the sophomores are coached by seniors.

The win-loss record favors the sophomores and even years. This year’s winner (the sophomore "even class") was also last year’s winner, gaining 58 feet 7 inches of rope.

The event also draws alumni, who come to watch the annual tradition.

Wes Woolley, class of 1989, shared fond memories of being a "puller" in 1985 (as a freshman) and 1986 (as a sophomore).

"We happened to win both years, which was pretty rare in those days," Woolley said. "Freshmen usually weren't given much of a chance, but we lucked out."

He said he tries to attend the event every year.

"I've only missed a couple — weddings or something out of town — but try to get back," he said. It's just so neat to me; this is something I did 40 years ago and people are still doing it. You see the little kids that have their future graduation year. ... Oh my gosh, it's so fun." 

Bill Serrano and Justin Savera, both class of 2001, were on the same team during their time at Hope.

"It was the most intense competitive experience I've ever had, for sure," Savera said, "a lot of camaraderie in a short period of time and they're people I still keep in touch with."

Serrano said it was a great way to meet new friends at the beginning of the fall semester.

"It's a really good bonding experience, especially for freshmen coming in," he said. "The Pull starts the week after your first week and you may not have made your friends yet. Then you go through something like this together with 40 other people, and it's a strong bond that forms." 

The Pull tug-of-war is believed to have first been held in 1898, continuing each year except for five years: In war years (1918, 1943 and 1944); in 1957 during a flu epidemic on campus and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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