University History & Traditions

UNIVERSITY HISTORY & TRADITIONS a University Origin try,” according to the American Society The University of Toledo was founded of Landscape Architects. Only 22 college by Jesup Wakeman Scott on October 12, campuses are on the list. 1872 as a private arts and trades school, known as Toledo University of Arts and The University Seal Trades, offering painting and architec- The University of Toledo’s Seal was tural drawing as its only subjects. Scott, placed in the middle of Centennial Mall the editor for the Toledo Blade newspaper and dedicated on October 23, 1995 by the from 1844 to 1847, was a public-spirited Student Alumni Council, with the support Toledoan who felt the city should have of various campus and community orga- a university to train young people for nizations. A tradition that was formally responsible positions in the growing com- started by Omicron Delta Kappa, as part munity. Scott’s dream led him to endow of their ritual, is that no Rockets past, pres- 160 acres of land which later became the ent, or future who cross this path on their Scott Park Campus. Scott died in 1874 educational journey shall ever step on the and the school was forced to close in 1878 seal. This is every Rocket’s sign of respect due to a lack of funds. On January 8, 1884, and gratitude for our great university. It the assets of the university were turned is a UT myth, and believed to be true, that over to the city of Toledo and the school if you step on the seal in Centennial Mall reopened that year as the Manual Training you will fail your next exam. School, later changing its name to Toledo The Bell Tower was completed in 1931. University. In 1922, the university moved Toledo Edison Memorial Fountain into an automobile mechanics training structure that resides at the north center The Toledo Edison Memorial Foun- facility on Scott’s land that had been part of Bancroft Campus. Residing on the tain, a gift to the University of Toledo by constructed during World War I. After top four corners of this architectural gem the Toledo Edison Co. for the Centennial Y are four gargoyles which overlook and of Light (1879-1979), is located on the north T the Toledo voters passed a bond levy in 1928, the main campus was moved north guard the University of Toledo. side of the Student Union and was built to the land located on Bancroft Street, with The 156-step, 206-foot Bell Tower sits when Centennial Mall was constructed University Hall being the first building atop of University Hall. Completed in in 1980. The fountain, designed by To- constructed in 1931. 1931, University Hall was the first build- ledoan Phyllis Nordin, was turned into NIVERSI On July 1, 1967, the University was ing built on the Bancroft Campus. It took a flower bed for four years because the given the status of a state-funded uni- 400 men nearly one full year to complete rusted pipes of the fountain would have U versity by the Ohio General Assembly University Hall and the second building cost $50,000 to repair. After a fundraising HE and became known as the University of built on campus, the Field House. The effort by Student Government President T Toledo. On July 1, 2006 the University Collegiate Gothic structural design for Kevin Hopkins, Toledo Edison, and many merged with the Medical University of University Hall set the standard for all others, the flower bed was restored back Ohio, making UT one of only four institu- other buildings to be constructed on the into a fountain in 1997. tions in the state with a medical school and University of Toledo’s Bancroft Campus. a law school. Centennial Mall Bell Tower and University Hall During the Blizzard of 1978, the land President Henry J. Doermann, the in mid-campus, which used to be a fac- father of the Bell Tower and the univer- ulty parking lot and Army barracks, was sity’s structural design, wanted all of the completely covered by snow. Graduate buildings on Bancroft Campus to be of a students in the university’s geography Collegiate Gothic architectural design to department conducted a study and pho- reflect the best design elements of the uni- tographed the paths on the snow made versities of Europe. President Doermann by students walking to class. The design felt such architecture would provide an of the sidewalks in Centennial Mall was atmosphere to inspire students. He also then constructed using the layout of those dreamed of a central tower that could paths. be spotted from anywhere on campus. There are 290 trees located in the 9.7 President Doermann went against the acres of Mall area. This shrine of trees is objections of many Toledoans who felt known as the Circle of Champions. Cen- the design was too extravagant and a tennial Mall was completed in 1980 and waste of money. He knew how much this provides the campus with an environ- Tower would mean to the UT community; mentally friendly look, which contributes therefore, he set out and accomplished his to UT’s ranking as one of the “100 most lofty goal of building the beautiful high beautifully landscaped places in the coun- There are almost 300 trees located in the 9.7 acres of the Centennial Mall area. 180 2012-13 TOLEDO BASKE tb ALL ATHLETIC TRADITIONS a Nickname Origin The Rocket When the University of Toledo Fight Song In 1961, the University of Toledo played then-powerful Carnegie Tech in “U of Toledo” procured a genuine Nike-Ajax missile football in 1923, Pittsburgh sports writ- Chorus from the U.S. Army missile program. ers were surprised to learn that UT did U of Toledo, we’ll fight for you Simply known as “The Rocket,” it was (Fight! Fight! Fight!) not have a nickname. Pittsburgh writers U of Toledo, we love the Gold and Blue placed behind the crossbar of the north pressed James Neal, a UT student work- (Let’s go Blue!) end goalpost, where the Larimer Ath- ing in the press box, to come up with a Men of the Varsity, the enemy must yield, letic Complex resides today. During the nickname. We’ll fight just like our ancestors renovation in 1989-90, the Rocket was Despite UT’s 32-12 loss, the student and march right down the field! moved to its present day position on the labeled the team “Skyrockets,” obviously T-O-L-E-D-O, Toledo! northeast corner of the Glass Bowl, just impressed by his alma mater’s flashy Verse (no longer used) outside of the wall. The one-ton Rocket performance against a superior team. The Indians roamed the Maumee River land carries two sets of fins and a propellant The sportswriters shortened the name to Till along came Anthony Wayne. boost capable of guiding the missile to Old England was the ruler of the Lakes, “Rockets,” which has been used since. supersonic velocity. In 2004, the rocket Till Perry gained his fame. Many other suggestions for UT’s They were fighters and victorious was refurbished and painted midnight nickname have been considered through And they drove back every foe. blue and gold. the years, including a Spanish theme of Gave their legends and traditions Legend has it that the rocket’s trajec- Toreadors or Bulls, in honor of Toledo’s To the school we honor so. tory is pointed toward Bowling Green sister relationship with the city’s name- State University, 25 miles south. If the Alma Mater sake in Spain. Others included Commo- Rocket were to be lit, it is said, it would dores, Turtles, Bancroft Highwaymen “Fair Toledo” blast off and land directly on the 50-yard In tower shadows voices now raising, T and Jeeps. line of the Falcons’ Doyt Perry football HE To alma mater Golden and Blue, Toledo teams were referred to as the stadium. Fair Toledo praise to thee, U Blue and Gold, Munies (for municipal Portal of learning ever be, university) and Dwyer’s Boys (after head Hallowed halls we shall revere, The Spirit Rock NIVERSI football coach James Dwyer) in sports Vow to keep thy memory dear. In 1968, Nicholson Concrete and stories prior to 1923. Supply Co. donated an eight-ton rock to dropped from the official version of the the University of Toledo as a symbol of School Colors the spirit of its student body. The Spirit fight song. T Midnight Blue & Gold were selected Rock was originally located on the grass Y as the school’s official colors by the Var- The Alma Mater between the William S. Carlson Library sity ‘T’ club, at its organizational meet- “Fair Toledo” was selected from ing on December 1, 1919. Ten of the 14 eight entries which were submitted football lettermen met to form the club, in the UT Alma Mater Song Contest, and also chose Ed Stader as their first sponsored jointly by the Student Senate president. and the Alumni Association in 1959. The competition was held to replace “Golden The Fight Song and Blue,” set to “Amici,” a tune used “U of Toledo” was written in 1932 by various universities. by Dave Connelly, UT athletic director While driving to work, Gilbert and baseball coach through much of the Mohr heard Jim Uebelhart announce 1930s and 1940s. Connelly loved to sing, the contest on the radio in January of but had never studied music. He wrote that year. An amateur songwriter, Mohr the words for “U of Toledo” and sang began humming different tunes, and the melody to a family friend, Bernie later with his wife, Jean Strout, wrote Jones.

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