Premature Celebration in Winthrop?

Flanked by House Committee members and intramural representatives, Winthrop House Master Stephen P. Rosen ’74 blazed through a packed dining hall during brunch yesterday, leading the resounding cheer of “Hail the victors of the Straus Cup”—three months before the cup will be awarded.

In a parade not unlike a bridal procession, Rosen sprinkled fresh rose petals throughout the dining hall—IM aficionados boisterously cheering and chanting behind him—after having baptized their 2007 trophy with frigid water from the Charles River.

“Over the next three and a half months, every person has to do their duty,” Winthrop resident tutor Anthony Niblett said. “Otherwise, this cup will go to one of the [lesser] houses.”

Though the Spring intramural season is slated to begin today, Winthrop House residents spent yesterday prematurely revelling in their “inevitable” Straus Cup victory.

Rosen and co-Master Mandana Sassanfar joined undergraduates in celebrating the inauguration of the new Winthrop House trophy case—a two-tiered, glass-enclosed display situated in the back corner of the dining hall beneath the House’s imposing lion shield.

Still basking in the glow of his house’s Straus Cup victory last year, IM representative Andrew M. Prince ’10 attributed Winthrop’s success (both past and future) to an effective effort to encourage student participation.

Prince said that instead of relying on a consistent contingent of 15 to 20 IM participants—which he said other House IM teams are comprised of—Winthrop can rely on wide participation.

According to Rosen, who spearheaded the installment of the trophy case, the display serves a dual purpose: commemorating past intramural victories and memorializing the concerted efforts of the House community.

Though Prince said he’s confident that the Straus Cup will remain in its new home, he gave a nod to worthy challengers.

“It’s Kirkland House,” he said. “But they’re a distant second.”

Even if they do wind up the silver-medal recipients, Kirkland House residents find comfort outside of the IM championship.

“I’d rather get second place every year and live in Kirkland House than ever live in Winthrop House,” said Kirkland HoCo secretary Kelly N. Bodwin ’11.

—Staff writer Bita M. Assad can be reached at bassad@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Ahmed N. Mabruk can be reached at amabruk@fas.harvard.edu.