Refreshing experiences, although rare, do happen here at RPI on occasion. Two weeks ago was just another example of such an experience: Hockey Line. For many generations—easily twenty years or more—Hockey Line has been an RPI tradition where students line up to purchase their season tickets to the men’s hockey game. Historically, the first ones in line are members of a social fraternity, however this year was different. I would like to introduce the independent population of RPI to Clan CaUstiC.
Clan CaUstiC gained much recognition this year for being the first in line for season hockey tickets. Never before in the recorded history of Hockey Line has a group of independents claimed first place—at least the information I have found indicates that social fraternities, such as TEP, have been the first in line for more than 20 years. So who are they? I asked a member of the clan, TMP, what he could tell me about the group. His response was simple: “Clan CaUstiC started as a RPI Counter-Strike clan in 1999. If you don’t know what that is ask the person next to you.”
Apparently, the clan has been together since that time and has been noted as one of the best Counter-Strike teams around. What makes CaUstiC so interesting, however, is the nature of their membership: everyone is an independent. TMP continued by telling me that CaUstiC has equal representation from all class years, that the team has expanded to encompass close friends of members, and that they are heavily involved in intramural sports now.
What shocks me the most was the complete disbelief by administration and students alike regarding the involvement of independents in a “frat-only” event: “I said ‘No, we are independents’ more than anything else at Hockey Line, which was usually replied to with an ‘Oh, really,’” TMP told me after his hockey line experience. This is a fine example of how independents are involved with their school, too.
Although CaUstiC does not play as a team anymore, you can visit them online at clancaustic.com where they run a message board for RPI gamers. Again, congratulations go out to this group for their achievements. It is my sincerest hope that others recognize independent involvement on campus and give it just credit—when credit is due—in the future.
