Third-year law students are invited to join in our Cane Toss tradition during UW Homecoming festivities. Festivities will include a tailgate in the Law School atrium on Saturday, Oct. 26 prior to the Cane Toss at Camp Randall Stadium. During the Cane Toss, Dean Dan Tokaji will lead third-year students to the north end zone of the Camp Randall stadium.
Before kickoff, students will run across the field and toss their canes over the goalposts. As the custom goes, students who catch their canes will win their first case. If they drop the cane, they will lose their case. Read more about the history of the cane toss tradition.
Family members are also welcome to attend but must have a ticket to enter the stadium.
Please note the following important dates and policies:
-
- Registration Opens: Registration will be available starting Sept. 23, 2024.
- Invitation Date: An Invitation will be sent electronically on Sept. 23, 2024 to all graduating 3L students inviting them to register to attend the tailgate and Cane Toss.
- Registration Deadline: All registrations must be completed by noon Oct. 11, 2024.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests must be made by 10 a.m. on Oct. 18, 2024. No refunds will be issued after this time.
- Confirmation of Requests: We will confirm all game ticket requests by Oct. 14, 2024.
- No Walk-ins: Day of registrations are not permitted; advance registration is required.
Please note: Students may request any number of game tickets they wish; however, tickets will be distributed one at a time until the block is sold out. If students do not receive the full number of tickets requested, they will be refunded for any tickets they did not receive.
Additional information on the Cane Toss is forthcoming.
Contact Kimberly Raether for more information on registering for the cane toss events.
Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 3:30 p.m. |
Hat, Cane, and Tailgate Wristband Pick-up 2nd Floor kitchen (across from the locker area) |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Tailgate Law School Atrium |
| 5:10 p.m. |
Guests and family members who wish to watch the cane toss leave for Camp Randall Stadium. Guests may view the toss from the bottom of Section A. |
| 5:10 p.m. |
Student ticket holders leave for Camp Randall Stadium (enter through Gate 5) |
| 5:15 p.m. | 3L students are lead to Camp Randall (enter through Gate 4) Note: this includes those who purchased tickets through the Law School's Eventbrite registration and general admission tickets purchased elsewhwere. |
Carry-in Policy
Participants should review Camp Randall's carry-in policy prior to the Cane Toss. It is recommended that students not carry any valuables onto the field that may be lost during their run across the field.
FAQ
More information about the Cane Toss is listed below.
Q: Do I need a game ticket to participate in the Cane Toss?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the Law School pay for each student to participate in the Cane Toss free of charge?
A: No. Individual students must purchase a game ticket to participate in the Cane Toss.
Q: Do my family members and guests need game tickets to watch the Cane Toss?
A: Yes. If guests want to see the Cane Toss live they need to purchase a ticket to the game. We do film the Cane Toss and will have the footage available afterward for students to share with family and friends.
Q: What if I can't afford a game ticket to participate in the Cane Toss?
A: If the cost of the game ticket is a hardship, there are opportunities for students to apply for a scholarship to cover the cost of the ticket. Please contact events@law.wisc.edu for more information.
Q: What if I can't make the Cane Toss?
A: Students who are unable to participate in the Cane Toss are invited to participate in the next year's event. If a large group of students are unable to participate, a makeup date may be scheduled during the week once the football season has ended.
Q: Does the Law School have game tickets that I can purchase to participate in the Cane Toss?
A: Yes. UW Law has secured a limited number of game tickets for third-year and graduate students to purchase. An invitation will be sent to all third-year and graduate program students via email from events@law.wisc.edu approximately one month prior to the Cane Toss with instructions on how to secure the tickets. Our priority is to ensure all third-year and graduate student individual ticket requests are fulfilled before we secure tickets for guests. In the past, we have been able to fulfill all ticket requests for students and their guests but it is not guaranteed that we will accommodate the guests of all the law students.
Q: Will there be a tailgate for students prior to the game?
A: Yes. There will be a tailgate at the Law School that students and guests are invited to attend. Dean Dan has generously agreed to pay for each 3L to attend free of charge. Guests may attend for a nominal fee. Pre-registration is required.
Q: How do I get a hat and cane for the Cane Toss?
A: Law students participating in the Cane Toss will receive a hat and cane the morning of the event during the tailgate at the Law School. Hats and canes can be picked up in the 2nd Floor kitchen (across from the locker area). Hats and canes are free and are meant to be kept as momentos.
Q: Can I pick up my hat and cane early?
A: Yes. Arrangements can be made to pick up your hat and cane early. Please contact events@law.wisc.edu to schedule a time.
Q: When does registration open?
A: Registration opens approximately one month prior to the event. Graduating UW Law students will receive an invitation electronically at which time they will be able to purchase tickets to the game and tailgate.
Q: Can I bring guests on the field with me during the Cane Toss?
A: No. Only graduating UW Law students are allowed on the field to participate in the Cane Toss. Additionally, children under the age of 18 are not allowed on the field at any time during Badger football games. Individuals who disobey this rule will be removed from the stadium and will not be allowed back in.
Q: Can I use my own football tickets to participate in the Cane Toss?
A: Yes. You may use your own student or regular season tickets to participate in the Cane Toss. Students using their own student tickets must leave earlier than the rest of the group and enter through the student gate (Gate 5) and make their way over to Section L inside Gate 3 to meet the rest of the group. Students who are using their own game tickets located in general admissions (not purchased through the Law School) should plan on walking with and entering the stadium with the larger group at Gate 3.
Q: How and when will I receive my game tickets that I purchased through the Law School's registration?
A: Those who purchased game tickets through the Law School's registration will receive their tickets electronically the week before the event.
Q: Will my guests be able to enter the stadium with me?
A: No. Students should plan on transferring guests' game tickets prior to game day. Please review the digital ticket delivery and support services webpage for more information.
Q: What time is the Cane Toss?
A: The Cane Toss happens prior to the football game. The exact time will be determined by the Athletic Department once a game time is set. Dean Tokaji will lead all UW Law students from the Law School to Camp Randall at a designated time. Information on time and location to meet for the walk to the stadium will be sent to all students registered for the Cane Toss prior to game day.
Q: Can I meet the group at Camp Randall instead of walking with the group?
A: Yes. Students who choose to not walk with the group are responsible for getting to the stadium and in the right location (enter through Gate 3 and into Section L) to run with the rest of the group by the designated time (which will be determined by the Athletic Department). Failure to make the designated time and meeting location could result in missing the Cane Toss entirely.
Q: What happens if I drop something on the field?
A: UW Law School and the University of Wisconsin are not responsible for any items lost or stolen during the Cane Toss. Anything dropped on the field will be picked up by security on the field and turned into the lost and found at Camp Randall. Participants should review Camp Randall's carry-in policy prior to the Cane Toss. It is recommended that students not carry any valuables onto the field that may be lost during the Cane Toss.
Q: How will my guests see the Cane Toss?
A: Guests should plan on leaving early and not walking with the student group. Guests wanting to observe the Cane Toss may do so from the bottom of Section A. Guests should be in this area by the designated time in order to see the Cane Toss.
Q: Can I bring a purse or backpack with me during the Cane Toss?
A: Participants should review Camp Randall's carry-in policy prior to the Cane Toss. It is recommended that students not carry any valuables onto the field that may be lost during the Cane Toss.
Q: I need accommodations for the cane toss. How do I request accommodations?
A: We strive to make the cane toss an inclusive, accessible event that enables all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. During the registration process, you will be asked what accommodations you need. If you have questions about accommodations or accessibility, contact Kimberly Raether at kimberly.raether@wisc.edu.
