6C
HOMECOMING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007
TRADITIONS
Students, fans put meaning behind chants,songs
Alma mater, Rock Chalk chant hold significance
Students and fans engage themselves in a Kansas football game by waving the wheat. Waving the wheat, along with the alma mater and Rock Chalk clap are several KU traditions that represents the history at the University.
BY BROOKE HEATH
The University of Kansas Rock Chalk chant has special meaning to Becky Blackman.
"My favorite KU tradition is the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant. It's fun to do and Theodore Roosevelt said it's the best chant ever," Blackman, Overland Park freshman, said. Along with the Rock Chalk chant
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
are many other traditions that KU students, fans and alumni come to know and love.
The King of Belgium asked to hear a classic American chant during the 1920 Olympics, and athletes agreed on the Rock Chalk chant.
Originally,
the Rock
Chalk chant was
"Rah,
Rah, Jayhawk,
KU",
created by E.H.S.
Bailey in 1886.
Years later,
when chalk rock limestone was found on
Mount Oread, it was changed and has since remained, "Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU"
Before the start of a game, fans sing the alma mater then repeat the Rock Chalk chant five times; the first two times slowly and the last three quickly.
As Blackman said, Theodore Roosevelt called the chant the best college chant that he had ever
heard. He's not alone in considering it a great college chant. The King of Belgium asked to hear a classic American chant during the 1920 Olympics, and athletes agreed on the Rock Chalk chant.
The alma mater is another University tradition. Also before the start of a game, fans gather together
and put their arms around each other to sing the song, "Crimson and the Blue" was first sing in 1891 by the Kansas Glee and Mandolin Club. Professor George Barlow Penny taught the song to the club, changing the lyrics from a song known as "Far Above Cayuga's Waters". More than 100 years later,
students still sing the song.
By October, most students know the chants, songs and traditions. But for those students new to the University, a tradition night event is held during Hawk Week in August where these students can learn about University traditions.
This year, traditions night
was held on Aug. 13 at Memorial Stadium. A former KU cheerleader taught attendees how to wave the wheat, sing the alma mater, chant and how to clap to "I'm a Jayhawk." The crowd got engaged during the event with the KU cheerleaders, dancers, band, Big Jay and Baby Jay.
With homecoming underway this week, students, fans and alumni have the opportunity to bring out University traditions, keeping in mind the meaning and history they hold.
Edited by Meghan Murphy
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WHY DID YOU COME TO KU?
BY DANNY NORDSTROM