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This week in Philly history, Penn student dies during strange ‘bowl fight’ tradition, which is immediately discontinued

On Jan. 12, 1916, University of Pennsylvania freshman William Lifson, 17, was killed during the annual “bowl fight” between freshmen and sophomores.

One student was killed, five others went to the hospital, and 20 others suffered minor injures during the 1916 “bowl fight," which pitted freshmen against sophomores on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.
One student was killed, five others went to the hospital, and 20 others suffered minor injures during the 1916 “bowl fight," which pitted freshmen against sophomores on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.Read moreInquirer Archives