ROCK CHALK CHANT
Since 1886 a tradition
By Janet Hamilton
Whenever KU students and fans gather for athletic events, the most popular and frequently heard sound is that of the university's now famous chant, "Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU."
The tradition began in 1886, four years before the university football team first came on the field as the KU Jayhawks. In that year, the University Science Club commissioned E. H. S. Bailey, a professor at the university, to contrive a yell for the club's meetings. He suggested, "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KU" to be repeated three times at a rapid tempo.
R. A. MARSH, professor of English, thought the yell should be changed to "Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU," since chalk rock was indigenous to Kansas. The chant caught on quickly because of its sharp and pleasing sound. Rock Chalk soon became the university rallying cry wherever KU groups gathered in athletic competition.
In more recent years, the State Geological Survey has discovered large deposits of high grade chalk, like that found in the White Cliffs of Dover, throughout central Kansas. Since this mineral is found in few other states, geologists have often suggested that chalk be adopted as the state rock.
The Rock Chalk yell has been
called the most famous college cheer in the world. This may be an exaggeration, but the yell has had a place in Twentieth Century Kansas history. During the Spanish American war in 1898, it was often heard among the Kansas troops. Rock Chalk was also used by hundreds of Kansans in World Wars I and II.
AT THE 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Rock Chalk was judged the most representative college yell. American athletes chanted it for the King of Belgium. It even came to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt who called it a classic chant, appropriate for any occasion.
In recent years, the chant's name has spread to other areas of university interest. KU's spring student production uses the yell in its title—Rock Chalk Revue. At the revue, men and women's living groups join talents to present skits pertaining to university life and humor.
Down Oread Hill behind the Campanile stands a limestone memorial called the Rock Chalk Cairn. A cairn is a heap of stones raised for a memorial. Sachem Society, senior men's honorary, and the Men's Student Council initiated the cairn in 1926. It was dedicated to the "vision of the founders of the University of Kansas and to those who helped faithfully to realize that vision."
Today, Sachem Society's annual initiation takes place there. It is also at the cairn that the torch is lighted to be carried to the annual Student Induction Ceremonies.
ROCK CHALK, a meaningless phrase without some knowledge of its history, is still KU's most popular cheer. Jayhawk supporters sometimes claim, when given in the proper manner, it will drown out cheers from any opposition.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk K—U-u,
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk K—U-u,
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk K—U-u,
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU,
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU,
ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK, KU.
Phys ed teacher to chairmanship
Miss Mary Jean Mulvaney will leave KU this summer to become associate professor and chairman of the women's physical education department at the University of Chicago. An alumna of the University of Nebraska and Wellesley College, she came to KU in 1962 as assistant professor of physical education after having taught at Nebraska for nine years.
Pinnings and Engagements
Miss Mulvaney had become one of the most popular and respected teachers at KU and was nominated for the senior class "HOPE" award to an outstanding teacher. The year she left Nebraska she had been the faculty member cited by the Daily Nebraskan for the "Outstanding Nebraskan" award for service to the University and its students.
PINNINGS
Nancy Kauffman, Leawood junior in Secondary Education, Alpha Delta Pi, to Jim Kapp, St. Joseph, Mo., senior in Political Science, Phi Kappa Tau.
Jan Tureski, Camden, Ark., junior in Art Education, Delta Delta Delta, to Bob Liddle, Kirkwood, Mo., Phi Kappa Tau.
ENGAGEMENTS
Vicki Mathews, Leawood junior in Secondary Education in Language Arts, Alpha Delta Pi, to Brooks Lilly, Prairie Village, University of Pennsylvania, Sigma Nu.
Patricia K. Quackenbush, Kansas City, to Arlen E. Flanagan, Bethel junior in Political Science, and International Relations.
Now delivering special orders and combination pizzas on phone orders. Don't forget to ask for the "Shanty Wooper sandwich"
Now open from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays thru Saturdays. 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday and Thursday
Now under new management. Paul Lucas, formerly of La Pizza, is now managing the Shanty
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Now delivering 15c cans of your favorite soft drink with each sandwich or pizza order
10 Daily Kansan Tuesday, March 22, 1966
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