University History & Traditions
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UNIVERSITY HISTORY & TRADITIONS University Origin President Doermann went against the department conducted a study and pho- The University of Toledo was founded objections of many Toledoans who felt tographed the paths on the snow made by Jesup Wakeman Scott on October 12, the design was too extravagant and a by students walking to class. The design 1872 as a private arts and trades school, waste of money. He knew how much this of the sidewalks in Centennial Mall was known as Toledo University of Arts and Tower would mean to the UT community; then constructed using the layout of those Trades, offering painting and architectural therefore, he set out and accomplished his paths. drawing as its only subjects. Scott, the lofty goal of building the beautiful high There are 290 trees located in the 9.7 editor for the Toledo Blade newspaper structure that resides at the north center acres of Mall area. This shrine of trees from 1844 to 1847, was a public-spirited part of Bancroft Campus. Residing on the is known as the Circle of Champions. Toledoan who felt the city should have top four corners of this architectural gem Centennial Mall was completed in 1980 a university to train young people for are four gargoyles which overlook and and provides the campus with an environ- responsible positions in the growing com- guard the University of Toledo. mentally friendly look, which contributes munity. Scott’s dream led him to endow The 156-step, 206-foot Bell Tower to UT’s ranking as one of the “100 most 160 acres of land which later became the sits atop of University Hall. Completed in beautifully landscaped places in the coun- Scott Park Campus. Scott died in 1874 and 1931, University Hall was the first build- try,” according to the American Society the school was forced to close in 1878 due ing built on the Bancroft Campus. It took of Landscape Architects. Only 22 college to a lack of funds. On January 8, 1884, campuses are on the list. the assets of the university were turned over to the city of Toledo and the school The University Seal reopened that year as the Manual Training The University of Toledo’s Seal was School, later changing its name to Toledo placed in the middle of Centennial Mall ION T University. In 1922, the university moved and dedicated on October 23, 1995 by the into an automobile mechanics training Student Alumni Council, with the support facility on Scott’s land that had been of various campus and community orga- constructed during World War I. After nizations. A tradition that was formally the Toledo voters passed a bond levy in started by Omicron Delta Kappa, as part NFORMA I 1928, the main campus was moved north of their ritual, is that no Rockets past, pres- Y to the land located on Bancroft Street, with ent, or future who cross this path on their T University Hall being the first building educational journey shall ever step on the constructed in 1931. seal. This is every Rocket’s sign of respect On July 1, 1967, the University was and gratitude for our great university. It is given the status of a state-funded uni- a UT myth, and believed to be true, that NIVERSIversity by the Ohio General Assembly if you step on the seal in Centennial Mall U and became known as the University of you will fail your next exam. Toledo. On July 1, 2006 the University The Bell Tower was completed in 1931. merged with the Medical University of Toledo Edison Memorial Fountain Ohio, making UT one of only four insti- The Toledo Edison Memorial Foun- tutions in the state with a medical school 400 men nearly one full year to complete tain, a gift to the University of Toledo by and a law school. University Hall and the second building the Toledo Edison Co. for the Centennial built on campus, the Field House. The of Light (1879-1979), is located on the Bell Tower and University Hall Collegiate Gothic structural design for north side of the Student Union and was President Henry J. Doermann, the University Hall set the standard for all built when Centennial Mall was con- father of the Bell Tower and the univer- other buildings to be constructed on the structed in 1980. The fountain, designed sity’s structural design, wanted all of the University of Toledo’s Bancroft Cam- by Toledoan Phyllis Nordin, was turned buildings on Bancroft Campus to be of a pus. into a flowerbed for four years because the Collegiate Gothic architectural design to rusted pipes of the fountain would have reflect the best design elements of the uni- Centennial Mall cost $50,000 to repair. After a fundraising versities of Europe. President Doermann During the Blizzard of 1978, the land effort by Student Government President felt such architecture would provide an in mid-campus, which used to be a fac- Kevin Hopkins, Toledo Edison, and many atmosphere to inspire students. He also ulty parking lot and Army barracks, was others, the flowerbed was restored back dreamed of a central tower that could completely covered by snow. Graduate into a fountain in 1997. be spotted from anywhere on campus. students in the university’s geography 180 2009-10 TOLEDO BASKE tb ALL ATHLETIC TRADITIONS Nickname Origin as “The Rocket,” it was placed behind the Fight Song When the University of Toledo played crossbar of the north end goalpost, where then-powerful Carnegie Tech in football “U of Toledo” the Larimer Athletic Complex resides today. in 1923, Pittsburgh sports writers were Chorus During the renovation in 1989-90, the Rocket surprised to learn that UT did not have U of Toledo, we’ll fight for you was moved to its present day position on the (Fight! Fight! Fight!) northeast corner of the Glass Bowl, just outside a nickname. Pittsburgh writers pressed U of Toledo, we love the Gold and Blue of the wall. The one-ton Rocket carries two James Neal, a UT student working in the (Let’s go Blue!) press box, to come up with a nickname. Men of the Varsity, the enemy must yield, sets of fins and a propellant boost capable of Despite UT’s 32-12 loss, the student We’ll fight just like our ancestors guiding the missile to supersonic velocity. In labeled the team “Skyrockets,” obvi- and march right down the field! 2004, the rocket was refurbished and painted ously impressed by his alma mater’s flashy T-O-L-E-D-O, Toledo! midnight blue and gold by Paul Grabke of performance against a superior team. Verse (no longer used) Steve Grabke’s Body Shop. The sportswriters shortened the name to The Indians roamed the Maumee River land Legend has it that the rocket’s trajec- Till along came Anthony Wayne. tory is pointed toward Bowling Green State “Rockets,” which has been used since. Old England was the ruler of the Lakes, Many other suggestions for UT’s Till Perry gained his fame. University, 25 miles south. If the Rocket were nickname have been considered through They were fighters and victorious to be lit, it is said, it would blast off and land And they drove back every foe. directly on the 50-yard line of the Falcons’ the years, including a Spanish theme of Gave their legends and traditions Toreadors or Bulls, in honor of Toledo’s To the school we honor so. Doyt Perry football stadium. sister relationship with the city’s namesake U in Spain. Others included Commodores, Alma Mater The Spirit Rock NIVERSI Turtles, Bancroft Highwaymen and “Fair Toledo” In 1968, Nicholson Concrete and Supply Jeeps. In tower shadows voices now raising, Co. donated an eight-ton rock to the Univer- Toledo teams were referred to as the To alma mater Golden and Blue, sity of Toledo as a symbol of the spirit of its Blue and Gold, Munies (for municipal Fair Toledo praise to thee, student body. The Spirit Rock was originally university) and Dwyer’s Boys (after head Portal of learning ever be, located on the grass between the William S. T Hallowed halls we shall revere, Y football coach James Dwyer) in sports Carlson Library and the Student Union. The Vow to keep thy memory dear. I large rock marked the final resting place of the stories prior to 1923. NFORMA old Bancroft High image of UT. The original School Colors The Alma Mater Spirit Rock was moved by the university in Midnight Blue and Gold were selected “Fair Toledo” was selected from order to make room for the Student Union as the school’s official colors by the Varsity eight entries which were submitted in expansion, and now resides by the pond at the Scott Park Campus. T ‘T’ Club, at its organizational meeting on the UT Alma Mater Song Contest, spon- ION December 1, 1919. Ten of the 14 football sored jointly by the Student Senate and The current Spirit Rock on main campus lettermen met to form the club, and also the Alumni Association in 1959. The was donated to the university in 1997 and chose Ed Stader as their first president. competition was held to replace “Golden placed in the Flatlands. Over the years, the and Blue,” set to “Amici,” a tune used by rock has been a site for many Rocket pep The Fight Song various universities. rallies. The Spirit Rock has been tarred and feathered, burnt, and painted hundreds of “U of Toledo” was written in 1932 by While driving to work, Gilbert Mohr times, but it is tradition to paint it only during Dave Connelly, UT athletic director and heard Jim Uebelhart announce the contest twilight hours.