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43: Excessive Force pt.1: Blast Off

Updated: Apr 21



Today’s podcast episode is about a famous school rivalry. The rivalry between Denver University and the Colorado School of Mines. Maia covers some pranks that go too far. Pranks with explosives, hostages, and lots of ways to go wrong, at least a little. It is about more than a game of football, or a big white M on the side of the mountain. An episode on school pride and smart people doing dumb things. CU vs CSU. Auburn vs Georgia Tech. Harvard vs Yale. John Evans vs History. Who's side are you on?


How do a high school debate tournament, a sketchy Quality Inn, and one very loud snorer turn into a full-blown history lesson with explosions and academic beef? In this delightfully unhinged episode, Grant and Maia kick things off with tales of chaperoning chaos, room-sharing drama, and road trip rituals—before swerving straight into the wild world of Colorado campus lore. From the tangled legacy of John Evans to dorm room antics that might technically count as terrorism (oops), they blend laugh-out-loud stories with sharp historical insight and just the right amount of heartfelt reflection. Vocabulary lessons, personal confessions, and absurd adventures collide in this episode about how the past keeps showing up—in classrooms, in college rivalries, and in the backseat of a debate van. Press play and prepare to be both entertained and strangely educated.


Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

  • [00:00:00] Catch-Up

  • [00:00:20] The Spark: A spirited discussion about the upcoming state tournament

  • [00:02:13] Room Rules: How a chaperone’s rule

  • [00:04:26] Vocabulary: “Diatribe” in a playful moment

  • [00:11:48] Classroom Reflections: The importance of learning from every experience

  • [00:20:54] Blast Off: Story Starts

  • [00:27:17] John Evans’ Legacy: Offering a mix of historical fact and personal reflection

  • [00:41:05] Campus Rivalries: Wild pranks and rivalries that have defined campus life in Colorado

  • [01:48:00] The Big Wrap-Up: The bittersweet nostalgia of personal educational journeys

 

Photos Referenced:

Colorado School of Mines' "M"
Colorado School of Mines' "M"
Denver University - University Hall
Denver University - University Hall

Newspaper Report from the Snowy DU v CSM football game - courtesy of the Denver Public Library
Newspaper Report from the Snowy DU v CSM football game - courtesy of the Denver Public Library


Cartoon of a Mines Student following the campus rivalry - courtesy of the Denver Public Library
Cartoon of a Mines Student following the campus rivalry - courtesy of the Denver Public Library


Newspaper Covering the Campus Rivalry - see the Silver Nitrate "M" on the DU students' heads - courtesy of The Denver Post/Denver Public Library
Newspaper Covering the Campus Rivalry - see the Silver Nitrate "M" on the DU students' heads - courtesy of The Denver Post/Denver Public Library


Boston.com report of the Yale v Harvard "We Suck" Prank
Boston.com report of the Yale v Harvard "We Suck" Prank


Maia on her M-Climb at the Colorado School of Mines in the Fall of 2016
Maia on her M-Climb at the Colorado School of Mines in the Fall of 2016


Maia on her Reverse M-Climb in the Spring of 2020
Maia on her Reverse M-Climb in the Spring of 2020

Quotes:

  • “Every epic prank and heated rivalry is a testament to youth’s untamed spirit and our endless capacity to learn.” - Grant Thomas

  • “History isn’t just a series of events; it’s a living narrative that continually reinvents who we are.” - Grant Thomas

  • “Reflecting on history shows us that understanding our past is the key to forging a brighter future.” - Maia Warner

  • “The theme ‘excessive force’ reminds us that sometimes the strongest growth comes from facing life’s wild challenges head on.” - Maia Warner


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43: A Colorado Campus Odyssey

43: When Schools Went Wild


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