University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

Page 16 text:

12 THE JAYHAWKER The nightshirt parade Dealing With the Origin and Evolution of One of K.U s Most Colorful Traditions by MARY JULE SHIPMAN IT WAS the victory of 1902. The game in the Big Six was played off campus, and the student body ran wild at the good news, thinking ways to work off steam. Somehow, late that night, the jubilant, hysterical crowd came up in front of Chancellor Strong ' s. For blocks Louisi- ana was awakened by the shouting. At last the chancellor himself stuck a sleepy head from a window. We ' ve won ! was the shout. Speech ! Speech! Without a moment ' s pause he walked out onto the narrow balcony overlooking the street, in the excitement oblivious to his own nightgowned person. Not so the student body. His few words were greeted with riotous cheers, followed by a dash to quarters to obtain garb similar to that of their leader. What ' s good enough for Chancy is good enough for me, was the cry as the night-robed figures marched about the campus delightedly the rest of the night. Thus was another of Oread ' s famous traditions begun. To be sure, a less romantic tale, involving the annual town and gown night squabble between the town toughies and college slickers, which necessitated non-damageable clothing being worn, has been cited. Another there is, a hopelessly pfosaic one of gradual evolution from the year one of K. U. memory and the celebration after the Baker game (the first of the season each year), with speeches by old Chan- cellor Snow to fill out the bill. This version, told by THE Irving Hill, one time hero of the Kansas football field, bears weight only by virtue of his name, we hope. Dr. James Naismith contributes that the celebration was discontinued for some years, then resumed in 1900 after the Nebraska game. His theory that night- ies were a gradual addition may well be supplemented by the opening paragraphs of this, my story. From such we will be- lieve our traditions emerge not from chance and lazy men too fagged to dress to go downtown. In 1904, remembers Professor Melvin of the history department, the snake dance was stolen from M U to add to the general glee. What wonder our name Jayhawker, once explained as they copped our stuff and flew by an en- raged Missourian, has stuck to us. Confined to the Hill at first, the exuberance of the crowd soon made them invade the town. After a noon rally, history has it, plans were made to march in cheering ranks over Lawrence, on the present route down Oread to Indiana, east on Eighth to Massachusetts and south to the park for speeches and refresh- ments. The old Bowersock and Varsity theaters were thrown open to the stu- K. U. BOYS DISPLAY THE LATEST THINGS IN NIGHTWEAR dents, the only stipulation being that all must be fully clothed before entrance. Only two casualties worthy of note are mentioned. In 1919 a street car on Massa- chusetts, driven by a motorman who was teased by the crowd, ran down these boys. Inquiry was held, and it was feared that the custom would die in agony. But Kansans are made of sterner stuff. Fifteen hundred of them rose to the occasion in 1920. A year later its proportions were such that Chancellor Lindley himself led the parade in a truck. In ' 24, Swede Carlson, alumnus, re- ports, dates were forceably hauled away from their charmers and made to join the mob. Take Youse, Haffaker, Ghetto, Rice, Roberts, Miller then add Pfuettze to the list of cheerleading fame. Mac ' s band is succeeded by Red ' s, and the march goes on. To what are we heading now, though ? A decline began in ' 26, when fresh- men were forced into the line by K Men with paddles and seniors were allowed to slip into the ranks of on- lookers with the women. Our he-men became followers of the army of pledges. The custom of holding the gala af- fair on the night of the first home game was broken in ' 33 for the first time in many years. Now this annual event is delayed until the night before one of our most important games to be played on the home field. More enthusiasm about the event is thus created by that time, and the big night is eagarly awaited by those who expect to be spectators. As to the fortitude of the participants, the time was when the boys ran in old-fashioned nightshirts even in a driv- ing rain. However, now a murky evening discourages some of the pajamaed sissies. A variety of the latest in bedroom wear may be observed at this fashion show. Flannel has proved to be the most popu- lar of fabrics not only for warmth, but also for the extra protection it provides when a paddle is wielded in keeping an orderly line. Vivid colors in all hues are displayed by the models, but the more loyal of them usually succeed in rigging up a combination of red and blue. Bath- robes are employed by the more modest of the boys; however, the majority are anxious for this chance to display their handsome physiques. (Continued on page 81)

Page 15 text:

OCTOBER, 1935 U come, especially after a vacation which made the idea of study- ing seem even more distant than usual. The freshmen are in a complete state of bewilderment, and it is no novelty when sitting in a classroom the first day, to have someone jump up suddenly, mumbling to himself, ' I thought this was a Shake- speare course instead of Analytics. ' Perhaps freshmen shouldn ' t be blamed for all mistakes of this nature, though! Editor: Why don ' t you reporters stop hashing over all this stale news and get to work on some of the more recent events? The 70th annual opening convocation was held on Friday morning, September 20. The principal address was deliv- ered by Baile P. Waggener, a member of the Board of Regents from Atchison. His remarks concerning the teaching of social- ism gave rise to the first issue of the Dove for the school year, as well as drawing numerous comments from newspapers in Lawrence and nearby cities. The K. U. band made its first appearance of the season at this convocation, and all 91 mem- bers seemed to be playing the same piece. Chancellor Lindley made an address of welcome to the new students, stressing function of the college in preparing individuals for life in a modern and fast moving age. The induction ceremony for new students was held in the stadium on the evening of Tuesday, October 20. The new freshmen met at 7:00 on North College hill where a fire was kindled near Corbin Hall. After a talk on the history of the tradition the freshmen were directed to the bowl of the stadium by the Sachems, Ku Kus and members of Mortar Board, who were in charge of the service. A torch was lighted from the fire on the hill and carried to the Rock Chalk caim on the campus. After all the initiates and specta- tors were seated the torch was borne to the stadium by George Tallyho Guernsey, president of Sachem. The service at the stadium was conducted by the Chancellor, assisted by repre- sentatives of the classes and Miss Hannah Oliver, professor emeritus of Latin and Greek. The ceremonies were concluded by the repetition of the Athenian oath, and the class of ' 39 were full-fledged members of the University. After the ceremony the men of the freshman class were required to don their freshman bonnets, which they will wear until after the Home-coming football game with Missouri on Thanksgiving Day. Last year there was an organized movement on the campus to abolish the freshman cap tradition, but it was defeated by a narrow margin at a student referendum. The freshmen these days are lucky, though. Up until a few years ago they had to drag out the caps again the first of April, and wear them until the end of the school year. There is nothing like pleasing everyone, so for those who feel that they are especially gifted in the fine arts of music, athletics, dramatics, debate or what have you, there are such organizations as Tau Sigma, Quack Club, Glee Club, and a host of others of equal importance. Each year these groups get the idea that it might be a good thing to take in a few new members, and as a consequence, the last few weeks have been rather crowded with tryouts for one thing and another. All ambitious freshmen, or those whose lodges were anxious that they do something besides attend classes and do freshman duties, have been trying out for everything the Hill has to offer except Phi Beta Kappa. Tryouts for the Glee Club, Orchestra, and Dramatic Club were held Tuesday and Wednes- day, September 24 and 25. Radamanthi, the University ' s organ- ization for budding poets, held its tryout September 30. Whether or not any new genius was received into the fold had not been disclosed when this article went to press. Speaking of athletics (or were we?) the football team received a grand send-off from the student body before they left for South Bend to tangle with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, and though the score was wrong, that rally at the Santa Fe station will be remembered for a long time to come. The game September 28 was the first of the season, and though the Ramblers proved a little too tough for the local boys, K. U. looked like a fast, tricky aggregation, and showed more than plenty of fight. The team is composed in great part of inexpe- rienced material and should show marked improvement as the season progresses. The Fall intramural programs for both men and women are getting under way, and there will be some real competition for the trophies among the organized houses before the season is over. Fall sports in intramurals include football, horseshoes, tennis for the men, and hockey, basketball, and horseshoes for the women. 4th Reporter (Speaking to Editor) : That about brings everything up to date now, doesn ' t it? How about letting us go home and get some much needed rest? CSEP STUDENTS BEAUTIFY OB UBRABY LAWN AFTEB THE FIRST CONVOCATION

Page 17 text:

OCTOBER, 1935 13 HIS FAVORITE PASTIME