The Law School community came together on February 28 for the second annual Bigelow Cup, a high-energy afternoon of competition, camaraderie, and Bigelow section pride at the Henry Crown Field House on the UChicago campus. 

Organized by the Law Students Association (LSA) with support from the Office of the Dean of Students, the Bigelow Cup brings students from across class years together to compete as Bigelow section teams—Hall, Breckenridge, Director, Lafontant, Mink, and Currie—in field-day games. This year’s games, chosen by the students, included relay racing, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, giant Jenga, cornhole, and spikeball, with students cheering on their classmates and embracing the playful spirit of the day.

“The tug-of-war at the end may be my favorite part,” said Dean of Students Brandi Welch. “It’s fantastic to see everyone pulling together, giving it their all.”  

After Mink’s standout performance last year, Hall claimed this year’s title and the accompanying bragging rights until the Cup returns in 2027. Though only in its second year, the event has quickly become a beloved Law School tradition.

“The Bigelow Cup started because students themselves wanted to help build more camaraderie amongst the Bigelow sections,” said Welch. “What better way than with an indoor field day in midwinter Chicago? The LSA has led the charge in making the Bigelow Cup a community event, featuring games like dodgeball and some really intense, but wonderfully silly, giant Jenga. The games also give upper-class students an opportunity to get to know the 1Ls a little better, outside of the typical Law School activities.”

The Bigelow Section Teams

“Bigelow” refers to the Law School’s Bigelow Legal Research and Writing Program, named for Harry A. Bigelow, one of the Law School's earliest deans. First-year students are divided into six Bigelow sections, small cohorts that take their 1L Bigelow classes together and become a core academic and social community. Each section is named after a prominent figure in the Law School’s history. 

Hall (green team) is named for James Parker Hall, the Law School's first full-time and longest-serving dean, who served from 1904 to 1928.

Breckinridge (red team) honors Sophonisba Breckinridge, the Law School's first female graduate in 1904 and a pioneering scholar.

Director (blue team) is named for Aaron Director, an influential professor who played a key role in developing the field of law and economics at the University of Chicago Law School.

Lafontant (purple team) recognizes Jewel C. Stradford Lafontant, ’46, the first African American woman to graduate from the Law School and a distinguished public servant.

Mink (grey team) honors Patsy Mink, ’51, who became the first woman of color elected to the US Congress and a coauthor of Title IX.

Currie (orange team) is named for David P. Currie, a longtime University of Chicago Law School professor known for his influential scholarship on constitutional law and federal courts. 

The Bigelow Cup takes place every Winter Quarter.

Check out photos from this year's competition