For over 120 years, Hope College has hosted The Pull, an event that divides the student body into two spirited teams—the “Odd Years” and the “Even Years.”
In the days and weeks ahead of the event, student participants are dialed in, focused intently on the preparatory elements. There’s the physical component—going for endurance runs, accompanied by chants and a coach riding alongside on a bike—but there’s also the mental component—developing a sense of strategy and forming a close camaraderie with your team.
To gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the tradition, we talked with a seasoned puller, Coach Buck. By honoring Pull traditions as they continue to practice, names are kept anonymous and secretive.
Let’s take a dig at the multifaceted characteristics of The Pull.
How It Works
Hope College describes The Pull in six words, “Three hours. Two teams. One rope.”
Each team has up to 18 “pullers,” those of whom are the muscle of their teams. They lie in a horizontal position in their pit, gripping the rope for three hours.
Although, this doesn’t even capture the full essence of the tradition.
As Coach Buck stated, “Sometimes, saying that I participate in a three-hour tug-of-war competition doesn’t do a very good job of describing The Pull.”
When asked what one specific detail he’d share with someone wanting to know about The Pull, Coach Buck mentioned, “I like talking about the vests of The Pull.”
Vests? It may seem like an odd accessory, but it’s a truly unique and crucial part of being a puller.
Coach Buck shared insight into what these vests do: “When I mention that we build vests out of duct tape and other supplies and are totally horizontal on the rope inside of grave-like pits, and that we’d break our ribs if we didn’t have these vests, it starts to click in their head the scope of this activity.”
Both teams also have an equivalent number of “moralers.” These are the people crouched on all fours, yelling words of encouragement and strategy to their teammates in the pit.
As if this isn’t already tough enough, the two teams are divided by a towering banner so they cannot see their competition. They can only hear them.
The Weeks Leading up to The Pull
Each team has three weeks to prepare. This includes an intense training period.
“There are a variety of exercises we do every day… They are meant to be intense and simulate scenarios that happen on the rope on Pull day,” Coach Buck explained.
Physical preparation includes “field workouts, track workouts, calisthenics, and rope time.”
As Coach Buck said, these are meant to “foster intense mental focus.”
Both teams, Even and Odd Years, will attend night meetings. The purpose behind these meetings, as Coach Buck explained, “gives the team an opportunity to discuss strategy, build and adjust vests, and develop bonds with each other.”
It becomes a place of solitude and camaraderie. “Sometimes you’re working hard to make alterations to your vest before you go on the rope again, sometimes you’re laughing with your teammates about what’s going on at practice or life, and sometimes you’re there doing homework while the room of your Pull family moves around you,” Coach Buck described.
It’s More than a Tug-of-War Competition
As previously mentioned, Coach Buck is a seasoned puller: “I pulled on the Even Year Pull team as a Freshman and Sophomore, and coached as a Junior, and am currently coaching this year.”
With three Pull seasons under his belt, Coach Buck has been able to realize the true effects of the tradition: community.
He said, “People find community, discover themselves, develop life changing habits, enjoy intense competition and training, and feel more connected to tradition and history.”
To him, it’s what you find out about yourself throughout the process. “You get pushed to the limits of yourself, and then you find what is there.”
In his wise words, “Comfort hides the truth. You can only find your true self when you are exhausted and defeated.”
And for anyone still unsure of the “why” behind it, he added, “It’s a lot of fun, I promise!”
If you’re still not convinced, be sure to witness the spectacle of this tradition on Saturday, September 27.
What Most People Don’t Know About The Pull
Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.
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