Jesuits Mandate White Tank Tops And Lots Of Water for Mudstock
JesuitsStudent Life April 30, 2025 The New England Classic
MUD-FILLED MOD LOT 一 Nothing screams “WE FINALLY FINISHED CLASSES” like breaking down, getting vulnerable, digging low, setting high, and spiking hard all while lathered in mud next to your best pals.
Mudstock is one of BC’s most beloved traditions, but few may be aware that mud volleyball is deeply seated within Jesuit tradition. In fact, St. Ignatius Loyola’s second most famous quote is said to be “That’s mine, mine, minemineminemine, I got it!”
The New England Classic looked into the Society of Jesus’ obsession with mud volleyball and found a rich and detailed history dating all the way back to the 16th century when Jesuit priest and later patron saint of the underhand serve, Fr. Nicholas Bobadilla, held the first mud volleyball tournament in the backyard of the original Jesuit seminary in Paris, France. The Jesuits emerged triumphant in this first bout against a team of Protestants from a neighboring parish winning four sets to one.
Since then the Society of Jesus and mud volleyball have undergone significant changes. This year is no different, as the Jesuits have enacted another rule change to the Mudstock tournament.
This year all Mudstock participants are required to “wear tight-fitting, but tasteful, white tank tops and get hosed down before competing in games”. The mandate went on to add that “all competitors must be absolutely doused in preferably ice-cold water before playing any volleyball” and stated that any students found to be non-compliant would be forced to work at the annual Jesuit hot summer day car wash as punishment.
Reactions to this rule update have been mixed to say the least. Ida Flaschiew (CSON ‘25) told the Classic, “I’m actually really excited about this new mandate, I even invited my Courage to Know professor who is a Jesuit and he was very excited too”. However, not everyone on campus shared Flaschiew’s enthusiasm. Peter “The Prude” Pruderman (MCAS ‘26) said “I am absolutely appalled by this rule change, what sick and twisted mind contrived this filthy rule. I will be conscientiously objecting by wearing a baggy sweatshirt and staying absolutely dry. I can’t belie-” at this point in the interview Peter’s head was forced back into the toilet by Lemmy C. Thowsthangs (CSOM ‘26) who added “I for one will be front row at this year’s Mudstock”.
Jesuit wet tank top apologists were heard justifying the decision saying that Mudstock has been much too dry in years past, “It’s Mudstock afterall not DIRTstock or SILTstock, or God forbid LOAMstock”. Others looked back to Jesuit tradition saying that it’s what St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier would have wanted. Despite the continued pushback and shady motivation, preparations are being made for a wet and wild Mudstock with garden hoses, large buckets, and even a dunk tank.
