Students bang spoons in celebration of the "Red Meat Dinner"

The Hill School rivalry with the Lawrenceville School dates back to 1887. It is the fifth oldest school rivalry in the country. Each year, The Hill and Lawrenceville alternate hosting a Saturday afternoon of athletics competition. Usually held the second week in November, this day marks for most sports teams the end of the fall sports season. Below are some unique ways Hill celebrates this beloved tradition:

Dorm banners: Prior to the week of the Hill vs. L'Ville game there is a competition during which every hall in each dorm makes banners with catchy phrases. During Hill - L'Ville Week, the banners are hung in the dining room and most get displayed at the game when Hill plays at home or they are carried to Lawrenceville.

"Passing of the Broom" - To signify that The Hill will "sweep" L'ville in all games, during each day of L'ville Week a different team passes a uniquely painted broom to another team. The broom is painted blue and gray (Hill colors) with red paint on the bottom (Lawrenceville's color).

"Spoon banging": During the week leading up to The Hill vs. L'Ville athletic contests, the dining hall is filled with the sounds of spoons being banged on the tables at seated lunches and dinners. Led by Hill's choral groups, students and faculty also sing "The Hill School Fight Song" to show their support for Hill teams.
  
"Red Meat Dinner" - A tradition with dual meaning, the Friday night before the game is the only Friday evening sit-down dinner and the only night when steak is served in the dining hall. The students chant, "What do we eat? Red meat!" Lawrenceville's color is red, of course!

Pep Rally and Bonfire- Following dinner, students gather in Gillison Court for the pep rally. With music playing and students cheering, fall athletic teams perform skits to entertain the crowd. After the pep rally, students head over to the Dell for the bonfire.

Victory Bell - After each Hill team's victory over L'Ville, students of that team ring the victory bell to symbolize their triumphant victory.

View photos of the 2009 Hill vs. L'Ville Festivities.