Tightwad Hill is the popular name for Charter Hill , the hill rising to the east of California Memorial Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, U.S..
28-519: Tightwad Hill is so named as it affords a free view of the stadium's field, allowing fans of the Golden Bears to see the game for free. The hill usually has its occupants, even when the stadium sports empty seats. Tightwad Hill is part of Charter Hill, the area behind campus that also encompasses the Big "C" , a large concrete letter "C" in the hillside. Tightwad Hill rises steeply about 100 feet above
56-664: A Cal victory goes final. The resulting boom is heard throughout the stadium and the surrounding area, and has come to be known as "Oski's Mighty Thunder." Starting at the Big Game of 1963, the California Victory Cannon was traditionally brought by members of the UC Rally Committee to be fired inside the stadium. When the old Pac-8 Conference banned cannons from stadiums in 1972, all other Pac-8 schools abandoned their cannons; Cal, however, maintained
84-440: Is part of Charter Hill, the area behind campus that also encompasses the Big "C" , a large concrete letter "C" in the hillside. Tightwad Hill rises steeply about 100 feet above the east rim of the stadium, to a relatively flat area where spectators perch. Created when Memorial Stadium was built in 1923, Tightwad Hill was created from the dirt removed during the excavation of lower Strawberry Canyon. The first time fans were seen on
112-523: Is the popular name for Charter Hill , the hill rising to the east of California Memorial Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, U.S.. Tightwad Hill is so named as it affords a free view of the stadium's field, allowing fans of the Golden Bears to see the game for free. The hill usually has its occupants, even when the stadium sports empty seats. Tightwad Hill
140-475: Is to cover all of the Cal athletic programs. To the right of the fans on the hill is the platform for the California Victory Cannon. Constructed in 2004 to serve as a replacement for the old wooden cannon platform, the concrete and stone structure was paid for through a 2003 donation campaign spearheaded by current and former UC Cannoneers, the keepers and operators of the cannon. This permanent structure debuted during
168-679: The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the College Football Sydney Cup, the opening game of the 2016 season, in Australia's national stadium ANZ Stadium . 37°52′20″N 122°15′01″W / 37.872095°N 122.25020°W / 37.872095; -122.25020 The Big %22C%22 The Big "C" is a large concrete letter "C" built into Charter Hill in the Berkeley Hills overlooking
196-408: The University of California, Berkeley . It was constructed on March 23, 1905, and is considered a campus landmark. Soon after the University of California 's founding in 1868, a tradition known as class rush was founded. During the event, freshmen would run up the hills above the campus and mark their class numerals in the hillside for all to see, but the sophomore class would attempt to protect
224-492: The 2004 season as the new perch for the Victory Cannon. At every home game, rain or shine, the cannon is loaded and shot at each of the football team's run-outs, whenever Cal scores a touchdown, and when a Cal victory goes final. The resulting boom is heard throughout the stadium and the surrounding area, and has come to be known as "Oski's Mighty Thunder." Starting at the Big Game of 1963, the California Victory Cannon
252-595: The Big "C" and is currently responsible for its upkeep and protection. In the 1940s, a 184-inch cyclotron was constructed above the Big "C" at what was to become the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory . Several other University of California Branches (Riverside, most prominently), have since constructed their own "C"s. The "C" located on the Box Spring Mountains at UC Riverside is the largest and topographically
280-468: The Big "C" in a display of their class or organization pride. The process continued as the Big "C" accumulated inches of paint layers over its original concrete base. In 1961, a group of Stanford University engineering students used jackhammers to assault the Big "C" and rearrange the concrete to a block "S," but the problem was quickly corrected. Soon, the Rally Committee was made guardian of
308-577: The Box Springs Mountain to mark off the site. In 2017, the most direct trail to the C was fenced off due to the creation of the Perris Valley rail line. The trail is still accessible from a trailhead to the north, though hikers are discouraged from crossing onto the railroad right-of-way. 37°52′29″N 122°14′59″W / 37.8746°N 122.2496°W / 37.8746; -122.2496 Charter Hill Tightwad Hill
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#1732793867086336-512: The central San Francisco Bay . There are and have been many unique features on the hill over the years. Some of those items and areas include or included: In 2006, the Regents of the University of California began considering a major renovation of Memorial Stadium. One plan proposed the construction of a new seating structure, the so-called "Eastside Seating Structure" on the promenade on
364-413: The concrete and stone structure was paid for through a 2003 donation campaign spearheaded by current and former UC Cannoneers, the keepers and operators of the cannon. This permanent structure debuted during the 2004 season as the new perch for the Victory Cannon. At every home game, rain or shine, the cannon is loaded and shot at each of the football team's run-outs, whenever Cal scores a touchdown, and when
392-411: The concrete dried, the freshman class, still trying to preserve the ideals of class rush, painted the Big "C" gold, one of the University's colors. The construction of the symbol is commemorated in the fight song "Big C" . After construction, the job of keeping the Big "C" painted yellow became the responsibility of the sophomore class as other classes, fraternities, and organizations would paint over
420-518: The construction of a new seating structure, the so-called "Eastside Seating Structure" on the promenade on the east side of the stadium. If this were to be built, it could block views of the field from Tightwad Hill, possibly eliminating this unusual and colorful tradition. An organization called "Save Tightwad Hill" sued the university, claiming that the Environmental Impact Report for the stadium project did not adequately analyze
448-561: The delight of fans on and off Tightwad Hill. The cannon has only once run out of ammunition, in a 1991 home game against Pacific where Cal scored 12 touchdowns. In addition to being fired at all Cal home games, the cannon has traveled to bowl games , such as the Holiday and Copper Bowls, as well as to away games against Washington and Indiana, even having a stand-in from the Australian town of Wagga Wagga brought to Cal's victory over
476-425: The east rim of the stadium, to a relatively flat area where spectators perch. Created when Memorial Stadium was built in 1923, Tightwad Hill was created from the dirt removed during the excavation of lower Strawberry Canyon. The first time fans were seen on the hill for Cal games was on November 24, 1923, during the inaugural game at California Memorial Stadium, which Cal won by a final score of 9–0, beating Stanford for
504-443: The east side of the stadium. If this were to be built, it could block views of the field from Tightwad Hill, possibly eliminating this unusual and colorful tradition. An organization called "Save Tightwad Hill" sued the university, claiming that the Environmental Impact Report for the stadium project did not adequately analyze the impacts of the planned improvements on historic resources and scenic views. The group eventually settled with
532-430: The fifth straight year and securing their fourth straight undefeated season. Due to the stadium being sold out for the game, fans and students made their way up to the hill that had been created above the east rim of the stadium. Since then, U.C. Berkeley students, staff, faculty, and the public have enjoyed fall days on the hill, cheering for the Golden Bears and enjoying the view of the U.C. campus, downtown Berkeley, and
560-525: The highest "C" in the UC system. The "C" is a hallmark at all UC campuses , but at UCR, the "C" continues to be student-inspired. Students campaigned to have a "C" on the side of the Box Springs Mountains that would be bigger than that of any other campus. Early in the 1954-55 school year, a group of UCR students assembled on the roof of Weber Hall while another group gathered at the selected spot on
588-559: The hill by rolling the freshmen back down the hill. The University, however, recognized the tradition as dangerous and banned it. As a result, the men of the freshmen and sophomore classes jointly constructed the Big "C" upon the hills above the Greek Theatre and California Memorial Stadium . A plaque was emplaced with the words "In memory of the Rush, buried Charter Day 1905 by the classes of 1907 and 1908. Requiescat in pace." Once
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#1732793867086616-455: The hill for Cal games was on November 24, 1923, during the inaugural game at California Memorial Stadium, which Cal won by a final score of 9–0, beating Stanford for the fifth straight year and securing their fourth straight undefeated season. Due to the stadium being sold out for the game, fans and students made their way up to the hill that had been created above the east rim of the stadium. Since then, U.C. Berkeley students, staff, faculty, and
644-443: The impacts of the planned improvements on historic resources and scenic views. The group eventually settled with the university. Under the terms of the agreement the university agreed in concept to preserve Tightwad Hill as an important Cal football tradition, and to include representatives of Tightwad Hill in the design process for east side improvements. Tightwad Hill became the sponsor of The Bear Raid podcast on November 15, 2020,
672-433: The public have enjoyed fall days on the hill, cheering for the Golden Bears and enjoying the view of the U.C. campus, downtown Berkeley, and the central San Francisco Bay . There are and have been many unique features on the hill over the years. Some of those items and areas include or included: In 2006, the Regents of the University of California began considering a major renovation of Memorial Stadium. One plan proposed
700-400: The same date as the debut of the show. The long-term goal of the podcast, currently hosted by three members of The Hill (two of which are current and former "Governors of Tightwad") is to cover all of the Cal athletic programs. To the right of the fans on the hill is the platform for the California Victory Cannon. Constructed in 2004 to serve as a replacement for the old wooden cannon platform,
728-444: The tradition as the hill behind the stadium was ruled to be outside the zone governed by the ban. Since 1972, the Victory Cannon has been fired from outside of Memorial Stadium to the delight of fans on and off Tightwad Hill. The cannon has only once run out of ammunition, in a 1991 home game against Pacific where Cal scored 12 touchdowns. In addition to being fired at all Cal home games, the cannon has traveled to bowl games , such as
756-512: The university. Under the terms of the agreement the university agreed in concept to preserve Tightwad Hill as an important Cal football tradition, and to include representatives of Tightwad Hill in the design process for east side improvements. Tightwad Hill became the sponsor of The Bear Raid podcast on November 15, 2020, the same date as the debut of the show. The long-term goal of the podcast, currently hosted by three members of The Hill (two of which are current and former "Governors of Tightwad")
784-418: Was traditionally brought by members of the UC Rally Committee to be fired inside the stadium. When the old Pac-8 Conference banned cannons from stadiums in 1972, all other Pac-8 schools abandoned their cannons; Cal, however, maintained the tradition as the hill behind the stadium was ruled to be outside the zone governed by the ban. Since 1972, the Victory Cannon has been fired from outside of Memorial Stadium to
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