Seniors will battle freshmen as GW classes face off at the first-annual Battle of the Classes Saturday afternoon on the Quad. The event is sponsored by the Class Council, a student group formed to promote class unity.

Each class has its own council, although the Class of 2004 has not elected its officers. Battle of the Classes will feature many field day competitions, Saccardi said.

There is a three-legged race, football toss, basketball shoot and much more, she said. We wanted to cater to everyone, so there is a quiz bowl for those who prefer the intellectual side of things, and the night before there is banner-painting in the Marvin Center for those who are artistic.

At each activity, classes will earn points toward an overall tally, which will determine the victor. Class council members said they hope the event will become a yearly tradition.

It will be something to make a big deal out of, Saccardi said.

Jen Sunshine, a sophomore transfer student from Connecticut College, compared the event to one she participated in at her old university.

We had something like this at (Connecticut College) called `Camel Days,’ she said. It went for 48 hours straight. We had glow-in-the-dark kickball, trivial pursuits … each dorm was a team and we would hang huge banners outside our dorms and try to sabotage the other dorms. It was great fun.

Sunshine said she thought the event was successful because it was run entirely by students, for students – like GW’s Battle of the Classes.

Other students said they are skeptical that the event will achieve its goal.

I think this is a good idea; I like the competitive aspect of it, said Julius Svoboda, an upperclassman. However, I do not think this is an event where I will meet a lot of new people from my class and I don’t know how much class unity this will promote.

Tracy Wei, a sophomore, said the event is promising as long as students participate.

This is a good idea, but I think the challenge will be to get people to come out and be spirited, she said. It’s all about word of mouth. If everyone is doing it, then everyone else will join in.

Battle of the Classes is co-sponsored by the Program Board, which helped the Class Council publicize the event.

The Council will host sign-ups Thursday and Friday 2 to 7 p.m. at the Marvin Center H Street Terrace and outside the Hall on Virginia Avenue and Thurston Hall. Battle of the Classes is free and open to all students. The Class Council will also distribute T-shirts as well as offer free food.

If you decide at the last minute that you want to participate, then just come to the big Quad between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and we can sign you up, Saccardi said.

It is a good way to relieve a little stress from studying for midterms, she said. Study for a bit, come out and get some food, see your friends and then get back to the books. It is going to be a lot of fun!

The rain date is Oct. 29.