The time for 24

Though its origins are uncertain, the occasion is said to have been adopted after actor Paul Newman gave a speech on campus that allegedly included the quote “Twenty-four hours in a day. Twenty-four beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.” Newman himself has refuted multiple times the claim that he said this.

Celebrated annually at Princeton on April 24, students who partake in Newman’s Day aim to drink 24 beers in 24 hours, during which time they are also expected to fulfill their regular commitments, including classes.

John ’09 celebrated Newman’s Day last year. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said, explaining that he “did a power hour” before his morning class and brought a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle to his afternoon precept.

The names of John and the other students interviewed for this article have been changed to protect their privacy.

John noted that last year’s Newman’s Day coincided with the annual Dodgeball Tournament. “I got really into it,” he said. “I continued drinking — kept playing dodgeball throughout the night … I don’t remember it all.”

Other students, such as Brad ’11, will celebrate the holiday for the first time today.

“I’m looking forward to doing it this year,” he said. “I’m not sure how the day’s going to go. It should be interesting. I expect to have fun.”

Brad, who said he is planning to celebrate Newman’s Day with a group of his friends, added that a lot of the fun comes from participating in normal activities while inebriated.

“It’s kind of unfortunate that I don’t have classes on Fridays, because it loses excitement,” he explained.

Ben ’09, who said he intends to participate in Newman’s Day this year, explained that he has never celebrated before because, in past years, April 24 has fallen during Passover.

“It’s my last hurrah,” he explained. “I’m done with my thesis.”

Like his peers, Ben said he has high expectations for the day. “I’m expecting an awesome day,” he said. “I think it might be one of the best days of my entire life because I’m going to be doing it with all of my best friends.”

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Some students said that Newman’s Day holds extra appeal this year because it coincides with Princeton Preview.

“I think even more people will participate because it’s a Friday and it will probably be a nice day,” Brad said. “And because of prefrosh. People will do it for novelty.”

Ben echoed Brad’s sentiment. “I can’t wait to go meet prefrosh and maybe include them in this tradition,” he said. “Prefrosh need to pierce the administration office’s veil and see what really goes on in here, because it’s so much better than they think.”

Still, several students noted the health and safety risks presented by such extreme alcohol consumption, and Newman has publicly denounced the tradition. In 2004, his lawyer sent a letter to Princeton and Bates College, where students take part in Newman’s Day, registering his disapproval.

The story attracted national media, and Newman subsequently took out a full-page ad in The Daily Princetonian discouraging binge drinking.

Newman, whose son Scott passed away in 1978 after an accidental drug overdose, founded The Scott Newman Center in 1980. The center aims “to prevent substance abuse through education,” according to its website.

Yet John explained that, as long as students think carefully before deciding to participate, the day can be handled responsibly.

“The thing is that, for a lot of people who aren’t physically capable of doing it and try to, that’s when you get into trouble,” he said. “But the majority of guys here on campus would be able to do it. People shouldn’t do it if they’re not certain that they can do it.”

John also noted the importance of using common sense during Newman’s Day.

“As long as you don’t do anything stupid, like trying to finish by noon or starting at nine or something, [you should be fine],” he explained. “I mean, you’ll get pretty drunk, but you’ll be OK.”

University Health Services did not respond to repeated requests for comment, and the Student Health Advisory Board (SHAB) declined to comment for this article.

In April 2005, SHAB held a campaign called “Livesmart” to promote responsible drinking habits ahead of Newman’s Day. The group handed out free orange rubber wristbands engraved with the word “Livesmart” at Frist Campus Center.

While versions of Newman’s Day are celebrated at a few other colleges, such as Bates and Yale, it is viewed by many as a distinctly Princetonian institution.

In past years, McCosh Health Center has seen an increase in inebriated students on Newman’s Day. On April 24, 2003, five University students required medical attention for excessive alcohol consumption.

On the night before Newman’s Day the following year, Public Safety officers entered a four-person suite in 1901 Hall and confiscated 400 Newman’s Day T-shirts. The students who owned the shirts said they paid $2,000 for them and that they planned to sell them on campus during Newman’s Day. One shirt had the slogan: “If found, please return to McCosh Health Center.” Another had a picture of Newman’s face and the quote, “24 beers in a case, 24 hours in a day. Coincidence? I think not.”

Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan, who served as associate dean of undergraduate students at the time, said after the incident that the shirts were confiscated because “they were advertising a very dangerous drinking game that the University has been clear it does not support.”

“They had their opportunity not to buy the shirts long ago, and they made their decision in spite of what the University says,” Deignan told The Daily Princetonian in April 2004. On April 29, 2004, the shirts were returned to their owners.

In the past, residential college deans have sent out e-mails just before Newman’s Day discouraging binge drinking, but no such message was sent out this year. In the past, administrators referred to the event as a “day-long drinking game” and threatened disciplinary action for students who participated in it.

Several students praised the holiday.

“I think it’s great,” John said. “I like having a drinking game that’s ours.”

Ben also expressed his support for the event.

“It makes me really proud that Princeton holds on to some really fratty traditions, especially since the school administration is out to crush all of our fun,” he said.