In light of a full day of canceled classes, no bus service, and little else to do but study after Madison found itself blanketed under well over a foot of snow, students gathered en masse on Bascom Hill to stage what they hoped would be a record-breaking snowball fight.

Students used cafeteria trays, blow up rafts, pieces of cardboard and various other materials as shields as they battled for dorm-location-based snowball supremecy. There were more than a few black eyes and bloodied faces, but the overall mood was definitely exuberant. People brought their dogs for a frolic in the snow, cameras were abundant, and some fighters got so into the event that various charges were led and cries to "hold the line!" were heard echoing down the lines.

Oh and wrestling. Lots of guys wrestling each other in the snow. It wouldn't be college without that.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records the largest snowball skirmish to date was 3,700 at Michigan Technological University in 2006. No word yet on an official tally for today's effort, but you can watch the video below to get an idea.

Emily Mills

Editor-At-Large

Emily Mills is Editor-At-Large for Dane101, as well as Editor of Our Lives Magazine. She is also a freelance writer, photographer, actor, and musician (drummer and singer in local band Little Red Wolf). Originally from several states up and down the Midwest Emily has called Madison home since 2000. Contact her at