Decorating Benjamin Duke
From the unofficial Duke TIP Wiki
The decoration of the Benjamin Duke statue is popular during Quadfest to demostrate dorm spirit. Generally the statue is decorated with the color of the decorator's respective dorm, although many times the statue is decorated with non-spirit related items as a prank or offensive gesture.
Battles over the statue's clothing during Quadfest are common.
[edit] Notable Decorations
- 2003: B. Duke was given a ninja mask for the Pirates v Ninja themed dance. The police had to come and remove the mask (apparently it was considered vandalism).
- 2003 (Term II): On opening day, an orange cone was placed on B. Duke's head. It remained there for several days.
- 2003 (Term II): After Yatta won the Lip Synch contest, several magnolia leaves were taped to B. Duke's nether regions, to the amusement of all.
- 2004: B. Duke was wrapped completely in streamers and an orange cone was placed on his head.
- 2004 (Term II): Early in the term a pair of dark green boxers were placed on B. Duke's head. Nobody noticed.
- 2004: B. Duke found himself covered completely in baby oil.
- 2005: A ban was put on decorating B. Duke. However, the infamous orange cone was placed on his head for a quick photo-op while RC's yelled.
- 2006 (Term I): Quadfest became a scene for the decorating and un-decorating of Ben Duke. 4th years struck the first blow, with a blue cape. This was quickly followed by a red mask and second cape by the 3rd years. When 4th years made an attack to remove the Pegram-red items they were met by hostile 3rd years. A brawl ensued that included but was not limited to tackling; some punches were thrown. There were a few breathless moments in which B. Duke was rocking frightfully. Some Alspaugh spectators were gasping, and saying, "Oh my god, I do NOT want to be the term that breaks Benjamin Duke!!"
- 2006 (Term I): Ben Duke was toga-ed for the revitalized Toga Tuesday by Brett Flora and Sam Warlick. Sam the OSC had the toga removed, and the TIPster who leant his sheet to the cause, Brett, was never reimbursed.
- 2006 (Term I): A gold flapper hat, complete with black feathers and lace, was placed on B. Duke's head on the last day of the term.
- 2006 (Term II): Thor Tobiassen puts a Jamaican beanie-type hat, belonging to Cally!, on B. Duke.
- 2006 (Term II): Mike's RAG (possibly SuperRAG) places the infamous orange cone on B. Duke's head.
- 2006 (Term II): A quick photo was taken of a Kentucky Basketball t-shirt that was held over B. Duke's body for the amusement of the UK Basketball fans back home, by Caitlin Cummins.
- 2006 (Term II): On everyinstallment of Chillin' on the Quad, Quad-zilla was placed in front of B. Duke in a rather provocative manner.
- 2007 (Term I): B. Duke was toga-ed again to continue toga Tuesday by Trevor Cross, Viv Pitter, and Susannah Griffee.
- 2008 (Term I): B. Duke was decorated for Quadfest by Basset (4th years), but Pegram (3rd years) made an attack and temporarily succeeded in removing the cape. After the Basset cape was restored Peter the RC stealthily replaced the blue cape with a green cape representing Pegram and subsequently told all Tipsters they were not allowed to touch the statue. They did anyway and eventually Basset's colors were restored to the statue. Also, Bobbie's RAG won the right to decorate B. Duke and so one night they all went out and dressed him up in some of their clothes. That night they watched in horror as 2 individuals removed the clothing after lights out. The individuals were originally thought to be campus police but it was later determined that they were nothing more than common thieves.
