Battle of the Barristers: LSU Law Charity Football Game

By: Robert Glueck

On February 5, 2017, the football season reached its peak during Super Bowl XLI when the New England Patriots edged the Atlanta Falcons in a thrilling comeback victory.  On February 18, 2017, the season will hit rock bottom when Purple Team takes on the Gold Team in the annual pillow fight known as Barrister’s Bowl.   Sponsored by the LSU Law Football Club, this year’s contest will take place at Memorial Stadium (located at N 17th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802) and kicks off just past high noon. This year’s matchup also features a clash of coaching titans with Coach Jack Zeringue leading the Purple Team into battle opposite Coach E.J. Vincent of the Gold Team.

Though the Gold Team is currently enjoying a two year winning streak, Coach Zeringue likes his team’s chances this year.  “They were robbed last year, and they know it,” he says, but “[this year] they’re primed and ready to go.”  Although Zeringue was hesitant to reveal Purple Team’s game plan, he stressed his desire to get the ball to Andrew Rabalais in open space. 

“He’s only one move away from a touchdown on every touch,” says Zeringue.  The Purple Team’s fearless leader is also pleased with his team’s line and linebacker depth, though he expressed disappointment toward Chase Texada’s inability to anchor the defensive line.  To compensate for Texada’s failure, Zeringue says the players have “some inter-locker room side bets going” but stopped short of comparing himself to former New Orleans Saints coordinator Gregg Williams.

On the opposite end, Coach Vincent had little to say except for one word: “Three-peat.”  Taylor Hunter, Chairman of the Barrister’s Bowl Committee and player/coach for the Gold Team, adds that “Nothing will make me happier than beating Jack Zeringue.” As a parting shot, Hunter also claims that “Jack eats crawfish with a bib.”  

On a lighter note, should you feel the need to avert your eyes from the abomination between the lines, the Barrister’s Bowl cheerleaders will be on hand to provide sideline entertainment.  Add a few pre-game mimosas and these classy ladies will most definitely steal the show.  In addition, despite the absurd lack of on-the-field talent, Hunter notes that the competitors’ love for their community is second to none.  As in years past, the game’s proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society, and for the second year in a row the donation will be made in honor of Law Center legend, Cheney J. Joseph, who was a driving force behind the very first Barrister’s Bowl.  As always, the cost of admission for the game is a donation to this charity in the form of cash or a check.  

Once the game draws to a merciful close, the real fun begins with the Barrister’s Bowl Auction.  This year’s auction will take place at Uncle Earl’s and features choice prizes including tex mex and ‘ritas with Professor Brooks and Associate Dean Carroll, shots with Professor Levy, a Tsunami dinner with Professor Corbett, and lunch at Bocage with Professor Levasseur (tennis racket optional). Other prizes include bourbon and cigars with Professor Trahan and wine tasting in Lyon with Professor Church.  Like the game, all are invited to join, and all proceeds from the auction will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The spring semester’s festivities draw to a close with the annual Barrister’s Ball.  This year’s Ball will be held on Friday, March 10 at Club XO in downtown Baton Rouge.  Tickets should be purchased ASAP as they are currently are on sale for $40 per person but will increase to $45 and $50 at the door.  Attire for the ball is semi-formal to formal, i.e. a tux or suit for guys and a long dress or cocktail dress for girls.  If you can’t make the game or the auction, you certainly won’t want to miss this.  Unless Zeringue and the Purple Team can pull off the upset of the century, the Ball will likely serve as a quasi-celebration for Gold Team’s third straight victory.   As for the rest of us, the Ball is a perfect opportunity to drown out the memory of witnessing law students attempt to relive their glory days.  The things we do for charity.

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”3″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”240″ thumbnail_height=”160″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”40″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”1″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”0″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]