THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
ONTHEHILL
17C
TRADITION
Five traditions every Jayhawk should know
BY JOSHUA BICKEL
The Jayhawk
A mythical bird that takes its name from the Blue Jay and Sparrow Hawk, the term "Jayhawk" first came into use around 1848.
During the 1850s, the term was used to describe the fighting factions
who sought to make Kansas a free state or a slave state. Even though both sides were initially called "Jayhawkers", the free-states hung onto the name.
By the end of the Civil War, the name "Jayhawk" was a patriotic symbol associated with those who fought to make Kansas a free state.
The Fight Song
The world-renowned Rock Chalk Chant was even used as a battle cry by troops fighting in the Phillipines, Cuba, China and even Europe during World War I.
The chant also made an appearance at the 1920 Olympic Games in Belgium.
In 1912, George "Dumpy" Bowles wrote the words and music of KU's fight song, "I'm a Jayhawk" for one of his musical shows. By 1920, the song became a favorite among students and in 1926, the KU Glee Club performed the song during its national tour.
The Rock Chalk Chant
His version, "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk" was replaced a year later with "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU," in reference to the naturally occurring limestone here in Kansas that resembles chalk.
This chant, declared "the greatest college cheer ever devised" by Teddy Roosevelt evolved from a cheer created by E.H.S. Bailey, a chemistry professor, for the KU Science Club in 1886.
In 1958, the words were revised to include the names of the other Big Eight Conference schools.
During the games, the King of Belgium asked to hear a typical American college yell and the assembled American athletes chose none other than "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" to perform for His Majesty.
and there's even a hand clap that goes along with it, but just make sure to clap on the right beat.
"I'm a Jayhawk"
Talk about the Sooners
The Cowboys and the Buffs,
Talk about the Tiger and his tail,
Talk about the Wildcats,
and those Cornhuskin' boys,
But I'm the bird to make 'em weep and wall.
CHORUS:
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
"Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
With a sis-boom, hip hoorah.
Got a bill that's big enough To twist the Tiger's tail Husk some corn and listen To the Cornhusker's wail.
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
Riding on a Kansas gale.
The Alma Mater
only the first verse and chorus are sung before games.
Professor George Barlow Penny wrote the words to the Alma Mater in 1891 for the Glee and Mandolin Club to sing while on tour. Borrowing the melody from Cornell University's "Far Above Cayuga's Waters", Penny changed a few words, taught it to the glee club, and everybody's been singing it since. Like the fight song, the student body sings "Crismson and the Blue" before every home football and basketball game, often while holding onto the person next to them and swaying from side to side while singing.
"Crimson and the Blue"
Far above the golden valley Glorious to view, Stands our noble Alma Mater, Towering toward the blue.
CHORUS:
Lift the chorus ever onward,
Crimson and the blue
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Hail to old KU.
CHORUS:
There's three verses to the song, but
Far above the distant humming
Kansas Hates Missouri
In 1891, the football teams of University of Kansas and the University of Missouri squared off in downtown Kansas City, Mo., and started what is now the second-oldest rivalry in Division I athletics. This rivalry, unlike most others in collegiate athletics, has historical roots stretching back to the days of "Bleeding Kansas", a proguote to the Civil War where pro-slavery activist
from Missouri and anti-slavery activists from Kansas would attack each other. In 1863, Confederate guerrilla William Quantrill attacked Lawrence and burned most of the city to the ground, further adding to the historical hatred between the two schools. Today, the battleground for this border war has shifted to the football field and the basketball court, and the rivalry is still as deep as ever.
Of the busy town,
Reared against the dome of heaven.
Looks she proudly down.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Greet we then our foster mother,
Noble friend so true,
We will ever sing her praises,
Hail to old KU.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
- Paint
- Brushes
- Art Pastel & Pencil Sets
- Model Wood & Styrene
- Architectural Kits & Supplies
- Special ordering available
+ Fab Friday 10% off all Art Supplies every Friday
Jayhawk Bookstore
...at the top of Naismith Hill
www.jayhawkbookstore.com
1420 Crescent Rd - 813-5826
achievement
Open Monday - Friday
well-being
+ success accomplishment health fitness $ ^{+} $ strength
KU RECREATION SERVICES
SRFC fall semester hours Monday-Thursday 5:30am-midnight Friday 5:30am-10:00pm Saturday 9:00am-10:00pm Sunday 9:00am-midnight
SRFC fall semester hours
here to help you find the equation for accomplishment. start off the new school year fresh... it all starts with YOU!
rock wall climbing hours Monday-Thursday 4:30pm-10:30pm Friday CLOSED Saturday CLOSED Sunday 6:00pm-9:00pm
KUFit offers a variety of classes that challenge you to meet your fitness goals. We offer everything from yoga to cardio combat, pilates to kickboxing 7 days a week! Come try us out for FREE! August 21-27
KUFit
Intramurals
Intramural sports offers students an array of team sports this fall including flag football, sand volleyball, 3-on3 soccer, and dodgeball. Get your team together! Flag Football sign-ups close August 22!
Personal Training
Personal Trainers are here to help you set and achieve your cardiovascular and strength goals for the new school year
40 student sessions per week are free! First sign up August 22!