University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

r Guillermo Stevens returns an approach snot from his Razorbaclc opponent in a match Texas lost to Arkansas 7-2 this spring 3, But what about that " orange " any- way? It seems that the traditional burnt orange and white of the University of iTexas fought a long, hard battle just to jbe. Orange and white were adopted as the school colors by the Board of Regents on May 10, 1 900, after edging out orange-maroon and even orange- black suggestions. Although all shades of orange are acceptable, Coach Darrell Royal (in I962) and the late Coach Clyde Little- field (in 1 928) were responsible for the recommendation of using " burnt range, " adopted in I967. Since traditions are an outgrowth of expression, Harley Clark Jr., head yell eader in 1 955, decided to create one. e introduced the " Hook ' em Horns " ign at the Texas Christian University football game that year, and the signal resembling the head of a Longhorn appears with the first note of the " The Eyes. " Other meaningful UT traditions have been passed down through the years. Smokey ' the cannon has been fired since 1 953 by the Texas Cowboys when the Longhorns score at a football game. " Running the flag, " the un-furling of the massive 5 1 feet wide by 90 feet long Texas flag by APO members on the foot- ball field, first appeared at the Cotton Bowl in I962. " Big Bertha, " the 500- pound " biggest drum in the world, " was acquired by General D. Harold Byrd and presented to the Longhorn Band in 1 955 to promote UT ' s biggest and best " con- cept for football and parades. UT traditions are diverse as well as numerous. " Burning red candles before and during a heated football contest, the Frank C. Erwin Special Events Center ' s " orange glow, " " The wild bunch " at UT baseball contests at Disch-Falk Field, or even " sipping a brew " at Scholz ' s with students and ex-students attest to the variety. But there is no tradition quite so thrill- ing as watching major championships develop and being awestruck as the maj- estic University of Texas Tower floods the dark skyline with orange light. JillGarrett Jackie Swaim goes for two against Texas Tech. Sports Traditions III