Technician has been running for nearly 100 years, with the first issue published on Feb. 1, 1920. Throughout the years, NC State has seen many different events, from great successes to terrible tragedies and everything in-between. Time, and language itself, has changed over the years, but for almost every major event, Technician was there.
The snow may be leaving NC State for now, but before you mourn its melting or cheer for clear roads, take a moment to look back at all of the different ways NC State has enjoyed the frosty fun.
Published on Jan. 15, 1927 was an untitled poem about snow. A few lines read:
“Oh, the snow! The snow! The snow! It propels the Freshmen so! Up from out their weary beds, forth to meet this dread of dreads; chased to class and chased to meals, forced to take unsteady heels; ‘neath the red cap’s slender grace, snowballs pelt a youthful face […]”
In an article titled “With the Greeks,” which ran on Jan. 14, 1944, various stories of fraternity life were shared, including some sledding adventures.
“The grand opening of the season was made when Rose and Page of the Lambda Chi’s entertained themselves out on No. 1 fairway. Ask them if coasting with dates isn’t a thing!”
Sled dates, unfortunately only made up part of the story.
“To receive the full value of the following remark, we must take you back to the physical contour of No. 1 fairway. It seems that right at the end of the glide, there is a creek, which at this particular time contained simply all grades of water. Over this water lay a rather thick layer of ice — but not so thick as J. Frank seemed to think.”
In 1969, a team from Technician traveled to Charlotte to report on a coming blizzard and got promptly stuck there in 11 inches of snow. Reporting from nearby Belmont Abbey College, a narrative ran on Feb. 17, recounting some of their journey.
“We got back approximately two hours ago after crawling over 20 miles of snow and ice in an old station wagon with slick tires on the rear and an engine that like to idle too fast.”
The article continued:
“But, the Abbey is beautiful tonight. The rolling, pine covered hills are new-blanketed in white. The snow fall must have reached ten inches by now […]”
On Feb. 6, 1948, Technician ran a news story titled “Snowballs Play Havoc Here Over Weekend,” tallying damage from a recent snowball fight.
“At least one automobile windshield, several cut faces, bruised heads and lost tempers were listed among the casualties caused by the many groups of snowballers in evidence here last Sunday.”
According to the article, the corner of Hillsborough Street and Horne Street was quite perilous, with “gangs of youngsters” pelting cars and pedestrians. It wasn’t the last time snowballs caused problems.
On Feb. 8, 1984, Technician ran an opinion article titled “Iceballs cause harm to campus community,” condemning a recent snowball fight, which had resulted in two broken windshields and other damages. The article began as follows:
“Monday’s blanket of snow brought out the child in many State students — and the childness.”
Students brace themselves as they sled down a hill in the late ‘70s.
