In 1973, then Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. William P. Mack gave his shoulder boards to Midshipman Fourth Class Lawrence J. O'Donnell, who climbed to the top of Herndon in 1 minute 50 seconds, thus beginning the shoulder board tradition. Today, the Herndon ceremony starts off with a blast at precisely 2 p.m. as plebes dash toward the monument. At first sight it looks much taller than it actually is, perhaps due to the hundreds of pounds of lard slathered on by upperclass. The fatty, white goo is removed by shoe throwing, hands, shirts and bodies. The smell of the melting lard permeates thousands of cheering spectators.
Bodies turn red with beads of sweat dripping down the tower of people.
Agony shows on the faces of those at the bottom of the pyramid as they support upon their shoulders three or four tiers of muscular bodies. The bodies collapse like dominoes. Their greasy skin, stained with dirt, lard and sun make it extremely difficult to sustain any balance for a long period of time. At the start, their expectations soar. No plebes doubt that their climb will be the best of any class to date.