Yale Students Pranked Harvard Fans Into Spelling 'WE SUCK'

The Harvard-Yale football rivalry has produced countless pranks over the decades, but none quite as perfectly executed as the 2004 "WE SUCK" card stunt. On November 20, 2004, approximately 20-24 Yale students pulled off what many consider the greatest college prank in history—and they did it right in the heart of enemy territory.

The masterminds behind the operation were Michael Kai and David Aulicino, two Yale seniors who recruited a team of classmates to pose as the fictional "Harvard Pep Squad." Wearing Harvard crimson and carrying clipboards, they looked official enough that no one questioned their legitimacy. They arrived early, worked the crowd with enthusiasm, and distributed 1,800 red and white placards to unsuspecting Harvard fans in the stands.

The Setup

The fake pep squad told Harvard supporters they were part of a special halftime card stunt. When the signal was given, everyone would hold up their cards simultaneously to spell out "GO HARVARD" in a show of school spirit. Fans were excited to participate. Instructions were printed on each card, telling people exactly when to flip and which side to show. Everything seemed legitimate.

What the Harvard fans didn't know was that the Yale students had coordinated the cards to spell something entirely different.

The Reveal

When halftime arrived and the signal was given, 1,800 Harvard fans enthusiastically raised their placards. Instead of "GO HARVARD," the stadium saw a massive display reading "WE SUCK."

The Yale section erupted in cheers. The Harvard fans looked at each other in confusion, then horror, then begrudging respect. Some laughed. Others were furious. But everyone had to admit: they'd been completely and utterly played.

Going Viral (Before Viral Was a Thing)

The Yale pranksters had registered the domain name harvardsucks.org in advance (along with yalesucks.com, just to be safe). They posted a video documenting their planning and execution, which spread across the early internet like wildfire.

The prank earned coverage from newspapers, radio programs, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, MSNBC, and countless other media outlets. Several magazines later ranked it among the greatest college pranks of all time. The story became legendary in both New Haven and Cambridge, cementing its place in Ivy League folklore.

The Final Score

As brilliant as the prank was, it didn't help Yale on the scoreboard. Harvard, led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (who would go on to play 17 seasons in the NFL), dominated the game 35-3. But when you make thousands of people unwittingly declare that they suck, does the final score really matter?

The 2004 card stunt proved that in the Harvard-Yale rivalry, sometimes the best victories happen off the field. It took months of planning, flawless execution, and nerves of steel—but the payoff was pure comedic gold. More than two decades later, it remains the gold standard for college pranks: creative, harmless, and absolutely humiliating.