Stanford group aims to ‘free the Tree’

It’s not a stretch to say that Stanford’s football season has been abysmal so far. Minus a random win over Notre Dame, the Cardinal have only managed to beat FCS Colgate and fellow Pac-12 bottom-dweller Arizona State (as said by a not-so-proud alum). 

They currently are sitting at 1-7 in the conference (3-7 overall), earning them the dead last spot in the Pac-12. 

To make matters worse, the wackiest mascot in college sports – and the most entertaining part of the games – the Stanford Tree was suspended earlier this season. 

And to make matters even worse, a student group is taking legal action against the university for suppressing free speech. 

The issue came during Stanford’s 15-14 win over ASU earlier this month when during a halftime performance, the Tree and some bandmembers – with the help of Sparky the Sun Devil – unveiled a roughly 10-yard banner that read “Stanford Hates Fun.” 

The statement is also the name of the student group suing the university, formed in response to what it sees as the university’s effort to suppress social functions on campus. 

The fight to bring back the Tree – and the fun – didn't stop there. Prior to the following home game against Washington State, students were posting videos on social media alleging security at Stanford Stadium was mandating students lift up their shirts to prove they had no hidden signage or messages written.