The following article was published over 80 years ago in the Furman Hornet student newspaper on September 29, 1932. (Number 18, Issue 2, page 6).
“Rick-Racking” Latest Fad to Invade Local Campus; Profs Approve
Do you Rick-Rack? Well! Well! Well! if you don’t, you are about as out of date as short dresses and prosperity. It used to be in the days of yore (when this dear scribe was a freshman) that Yo-Yos were the craze of the student body of this great institution of higher learning. But now ’tis a horse of another color. Instead of engaging one’s attention and skill in manipulation a little round object so that it runs up and down a string, it is now the rage to bounce a smaller rubber ball back and forth from a ping-pong paddle, said ball being attached to the paddle with a thin strip of rubber. Intricate, isn’t it?
Ricks-Racks here, Rick-Racks there, here a Rick, there a Rack, everywhere a Rick-Rack! Freshmen, Sophs, Juniors, Seniors, yes even the faculty are Rick-Racking. It is reported that several of the more aggressive students have organized a club, the purpose of which is to carry forth the art of Rick-Racking in a scientific fashion. Weekly meetings are to be held by the body and the newest tricks of the trade to be exhibited. It is hoped that the club will be made very exclusive, and that only the cream of the Rick-Rack crop will be admitted as members. Competition is already very keen for admittance to this ornate group.
The faculty have shown themselves very much in favor of the new movement started on the campus. A reporter from the staff of “The Hornet” interviewed several of them. The results are as follows.
Dr. McGlothlin: “As student of Furman University it is your duty to train yourselves in all directions. It is not the purpose of Furman to turn out one-sided men. Therefore, I think it most expedient that every student learn to Rick-Rack. I myself have tried it and can safely recommend it to you young me as a practical diversion and pastime. I had much rather you spend your time Rick-Racking than staring at the young ladies from G. W. C.”
Doctor Bradshaw: “From all indications, the art of Rick-Racking seems to be a very valuable one. While I have not attempted to master it, I can say that I am in favor of it. I intend to buy me a Rick-Rack as soon as I have learned to Yo-Yo, a thing which I have been trying to do for the last four years.”
Professor Cox: “I know of nothing better that I can recommend to students of Physics than the game of Rick-Rack. It is a practical application of some of the fundamental physical principles. Now as applied to Newton’s Law of Gravitation…” (here our reporter ended the interview).
Doctor Trueblood: “Socially-minded individuals is what society needs today. The Rick-Rack embodies some very good lessons in social interaction. When you hit the ball it flies back at you; society is the same way. It matters not if your won or lost, but how you played the game.”