Students from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center swapped out their briefcases and suits on Saturday for helmets, football jerseys and cheerleading uniforms.
Barristers Bowl XII was held at Memorial Stadium. In the past, proceeds from the annual event have gone to charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, the proceeds went to the American Cancer Society in honor of late dean and professor Cheney Joseph and his legacy.
Before kickoff, Joseph’s wife, Mary Terrell Joseph, was honored on the field.
“I’ve been so impressed with the sincerity and the diversity of the students who seem to be crazy about him, she said. He loved teaching. He loved the students, but I didn’t realize how much they loved him. I can’t say how much that outpouring of love and respect meant to me and to him and the rest of the family.”
The decision to donate to the American Cancer Society was unanimous, Law Center cheer captain Brittany Root said. The school was already considering donating to charity because many students have loved ones affected by cancer. When Joseph passed away in December, the decision was solidified, Root said.
The game, made up of four 12-minute quarters, kicked off shortly before 1 p.m. The students were split into two teams, Purple and Gold. A draft was held in the beginning of January to decide the teams.
“Negotiating with law students is pretty impractical and nearly impossible,” said student event commissioner and Gold team captain Taylor Hunter. “We keep it as level as can be, but it’s still pretty competitive.”
To prepare for the event, the teams practiced for a month and a half at an indoor facility, Hunter said. The teams practiced Monday through Friday for two hours, getting in shape for the game.
“None of us are Cam Newtons out here, so we’re all trying to get back into it,” Purple team captain Colin Hotard said.
The players ranged from having high school or college experience in sports to having none at all.
The commentators helped set the lighthearted mood for the afternoon by poking fun at the players and at the idea of law students playing football.
A cheerleading squad, made up of Law Center students, performed before the game and at halftime. The squad practiced four to five times a week for a month and a half before the bowl, cheer captain Kimberly Ulasiewicz said.
The routines were choreographed by the cheer captains, with help from former LSU cheerleader Heidi Thompson, who is now a professor at the Law Center.
Despite being law students, Ulasiewicz said, they still find time to practice for the event.
“You have to make time for what you want to make time for, and this is one of the most fun events of the year, so people tend to make time for it because it’s a really good memory to have,” Ulasiewicz said. “Plus you keep the uniform for life.”
Preparation for the event, which was sponsored by Campus Federal, started about six months in advance, Hunter said. To host the event, a field had to be secured, along with field insurance, officials, an on-site EMS and a sports physician. Pads and helmets were donated by local high schools, and jerseys were purchased from Red Stick Sports.
Following the game, an auction was held at Bogie’s Bar from 8-10 p.m. Auction items, such as a four-person dinner at Tsunami, were donated by professors and students. Proceeds from the auction, as well as half the door proceeds, went to charity.
The Gold team won 16-8. Between auction and game revenue, the Bowl raised more than $8,000 for the American Cancer Society.