17.1  Homecoming Cane Toss

Each fall at the Homecoming football game, thousands of fans watch in mystified amusement as a herd of students rush across the football field carrying canes and wearing bowler hats. As the custom goes, the Dean leads the students to run to the opposite endzone where they will toss their canes over the goalpost. Legang has it that if the student catches their cane, they will win their first case. If they drop their cane, they will lose their first case. 

The origin of this myth is not certain. Most believe that it began with the arrival of the now-legendary Professor William Herbert Page from Ohio State University Law School during World War I. Some research suggests that a cane parade tradition may have existed at Ohio and was simply transplanted here. In the centennial history of the UW Law School, written in 1968 by Scott Van Alstyne (68 Wis. L.R 329), Page denies that he had anything to do with the origin of the parade. He suggested that it already existed here when he arrived.

Regardless, the cane parade, now known as the Cane Toss, and Herbie Page became inseparably linked during the 1930s. In the early years, the entire Law faculty accompanied the third-year class and the parade took place between halves of the game.

By the time George Young became dean in 1958, custom dictated that the dean should lead the parade. Each dean has established particular ground rules for the parade. Cliff Thompson may have been responsible for a modification of the old tradition: it is now said that if the cane hangs up on the crossbar, the senior's first case will be settled to the satisfaction of both sides!

All third-year students are encouraged to participate in this event. To learn more, visit our Homecoming Cane Toss website.

17.2  Commencement

University of Wisconsin commencement events are designed to honor graduates and their families and to celebrate graduates' accomplishments.  There are two ceremonies held for UW Law School graduates. The University of Wisconsin Law School Hooding Ceremony is often held on the Friday of UW-Madison Commencement Weekend at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.  This special event is exclusively for UW Law School graduates and their guests.   

The UW-Madison Spring Commencement Ceremony is held on Saturday of Commencement Weekend at Camp Randall Stadium. Degree candidates honored at the Camp Randall Ceremony include those receiving bachelor, most masters, and law degrees. 

Any student who graduates in December or August may choose to participate in the May ceremonies also.

For the most pertinent information regarding future graduations, please check the Law School's Commencement webpage.