We’re celebrating a rival that has brought us so many memories. We decided to start off the year on a positive note and celebrate the sportsmanship and feud between Cal and Stanford. In response to the Stanford Daily’s article, “Asking Stanford: What’s one nice thing you can say about Berkeley?”, we asked UC Berkeley alums for their Stanford appreciations across our social media channels before the 2024 Big Game. Here are some of their responses.
Stanford Medicine
“A decade ago I spent ten days ‘living’ in Palo Alto at the pediatric hospital when my child had a medical emergency while we were visiting NorCal for Christmas. I swore to never smack talk Stanford again, because I was sleeping on Stanford-branded pillowcases. Oh, and my child had some of the best doctors and surgeons in the country.”
—Deirdre Piper
The Cal/Stanford Solidarity in the ACC
“Whenever I travel globally, and I cross a Stanford alum on distant shores, it’s like reconnecting with a sibling you haven’t seen in years. We smile, hug it out, catch up on gossip, relive good times—especially Big Game week—and, of course, ‘The Play!’ And, as I understand it, Stanford held out for us in order to secure the ACC deal, post the PAC-12 demise. Like true siblings, we don’t always like each other, but we do look out for each other. Respect.”
—Daniel Vasquez
Their In-Laws
“My Cal sister met her future Stanfurd husband at the Big Game over 30 years ago. He’s turned out okay, despite my misgivings.”
—Michaela Shank
Stanford Eucalyptus Grove and Big Game Tailgates
“The eucalyptus grove is the BEST tailgating spot. I grew up going to Big Games in Berkeley and Palo Alto and always looked forward to the eucalyptus grove pre- and post-game tailgates. My family has a lot of band alumni, so we usually bring our instruments to Palo Alto and serenade multiple tailgate parties with Cal songs! Just have to make sure not to twist an ankle in the random potholes.”
—Lizz Campos Frost
Stanford Center for Human Rights and International Justice
“Their Center for Human Rights and International Justice; Stanford University has been a strong advocate for human rights around the world. The center is co-directed by David Cohen, who was previously a Berkeley rhetoric professor (and a good one at that). Cal has its own human rights center, Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley, celebrating 30 years so far.”
—Matt Burrows
Stanford Alums
“My favorite professor graduated from The Farm, and taught me structural analysis as well as probability and statistics civil engineering applications. He wrote two recommendation letters for me that led to a great start in my professional career in structural engineering. The first letter helped me get a research assistant intern position at Purdue University, and the next letter helped me get accepted into Cal’s graduate program in structural engineering, mechanics, and materials—one of the very best engineering programs in the nation. Since I entered the workforce, we have become colleagues serving in the American Society of Civil Engineers, and later we both earned fellow status in different years. I am a follower of his and his students’ research work in structural dynamics. The Farm indirectly influenced me to develop a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge, and continuously growing my expertise in my specialty.”
—Silky Wong
