You’re approaching enemy territory. You must be stealthy; the mission must be accomplished. But wait, you’ve encountered enemy crossfire. You start to panic. What can you do?
There is only one solution—strip down to your underwear.
Scenarios such as these may be taking place right in your front yard, thanks to the game of senior tag.
Senior tag is a tradition in which teams of five seniors attempt to eliminate their opponents by squirting them with water guns, senior Daniel Broidy explained. Broidy, who is a judge of this year’s senior tag game, explained that the teams are placed into NCAA-style brackets. The team with the most players left at the end of each week advances to the next round, Broidy said.
Senior Alex Johnson said that any tie is resolved by a game of rock-paper-scissors. Broidy explained that there are ways to prevent getting tagged. Players are immune at school, work and athletic events, Broidy said.
The only other way to gain immunity, Broidy added, is to be wearing only undergarments.
Senior Emma Sullivan, who said that her team is in the finals, acknowledged that the undergarments rule has added entertainment to the game.
“It’s always great to hang out with your friends naked,” Sullivan said.
Johnson said that the concept of senior tag is what attracted him to the game.
“I decided to play because it is just an awesome idea,” Johnson said. “[It is] people running around in their underwear for a chance to win some money.”
Sullivan explained that the team that wins the entire game will receive around $500. Each player gave $5 to enter the game, Sullivan said.
However, Broidy said that there are benefits to senior tag other than just the prize money.
“I decided to play because I wanted to ruin the lives of those worse than me [at tag],” Broidy said. “So far I’m doing a great job.”
“My [best] quality is trash-talking. Although I haven’t actually gotten anyone out yet, you’d have thought I singlehandedly took out every team so far.”
Johnson said that his favorite part of the game is being sneaky.
“It’s just an adrenaline rush staking out people to try [to] shoot them,” Johnson said.
Johnson, Broidy and Sullivan said that tag attempts have led to interesting stories.
“[My teammates] Susu [Fried], Dante [Dennis] and I were threatened by a man with a bulldog while trying to get [senior Brynn Kolada’s] team,” Sullivan said.
Broidy also said that his own run-ins with other community members created memorable moments.
“Running from two girls on tricycles while in our underwear was pretty funny,” Broidy said.
Broidy also mentioned some attempts that led to successful tags.
“Waiting for somebody to stop at a red light, opening the [car] door and squirting them was, in my opinion, pretty clever,” Broidy said.
Sullivan said that the game has taken over many aspects of her life.
“I have basically based everything I do off of the senior tag rules,” Sullivan said. “I haven’t eaten at Chipotle or gone to Easton since the game started.”
Johnson agrees that senior tag has consumed his life as well.
“You constantly have to be on the lookout,” Johnson said. “But I figure it’s all about mind over matter.”
Johnson added that he wants seniors to play the game in the future.
“I feel that [senior tag] is a great tradition and hope it continues years down the road,” Johnson said.
