|
Traditions Overview
 USF
MASCOT - ROCKY THE BULL
Today's Rocky the Bull got his start as an idea for a toy for the Bookstore
to sell in 1965-66. The first Rocky was drawn as a cartoon rendition for
Athletics to use with newsletters. Rocky's image was first trademarked
in 1974, and then a redesigned version trademarked in 1984. Rocky is a
regular at USF Football and Basketball games and is powered by a member
of USF's cheerleading squad.
Tradition Makers:
Ray Cooper, student assistant in the USF graphics department, 1965-66
and USF Graphics Designer, current;
John Renneker, Athletics publicist, early 1970
Full Story: http://www.usf.edu/History/rocky.html
HOW THE BULLS WERE BORN
From the early name suggestions of "Desert Rats" to "Florida
Chickens" and even after a student-election run-off with the "Buccaneer",
the Golden Brahman was finally voted as the mascot of USF in November
1962. The rationale for the Brahman was since Florida was a cattle-raising
state like Texas; students wanted something comparable to the Texas Longhorns.
In the late 1980's, the mascot evolved into the "Bulls" for
promotional reasons.
Tradition Makers:
Gerald Stack, Jack Boyd, Robert Bickle - member's of USF's charter class
who planted the Brahman idea.
Full Story: http://www.usf.edu/History/rocky.html
 USF
ACADEMIC MACE
In 1998, the university's Faculty Senate requested the creation of a mace,
a ceremonial staff used by many institutions of higher learning to show
the right of academic institutions to grant degrees to graduates. USF's
mace includes a gold pine cone at its top to represent growth and continuity.
Eight silver semicircles, which support the pine cone, stand for the eight
colleges in existence at USF when the mace was commissioned. The mace
is used for all USF commencement ceremonies and during the installation
of university presidents. When not in use, the mace is displayed in a
tall glass case in the foyer of the president's office.
Tradition Makers:
Harrison Covington, mace designer and former dean and professor in the
College of Fine Arts
Full Story: http://www.usf.edu/History/mace.html
ENGINEERING EXPO
Engineering EXPO has been a part of the College of Engineering
since 1974. Since then it has grown to become one of the largest events
held at the University of South Florida Tampa campus. The event is held
during National Engineers week, which usually occurs during the third
week in the month of February. Exhibitors from around the country and
from every facet of the engineering profession set up displays during
the EXPO. Meanwhile student volunteers arrange a variety of fun demonstrations,
including the chemical magic show and the popular laser light show. Thousands
of visitors, including those from area middle and high schools, attend
the two-day event each year.
Tradition Makers:
Ex: The Esteemed Dean Edgar Kopp, first Dean of the College; The '73 Engineering
College Council
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL INDUCTION CEREMONY
College of Engineering graduates have the opportunity at the end
of each fall and spring semester to be officially inducted into the engineering
profession. This ceremony, which first began in Canada, generally takes
place the same day as the University's commencement exercises. During
the induction ceremony the graduating students (undergraduate or graduate
level) first recite the Engineer's Oath and then each graduate is presented
with a stainless steel ring to be worn on the small finger of the dominate
hand - an internationally recognized symbol of an engineer.
 THE
STAMPEDING HERD OF THUNDER
USF's Marching Band, the Herd of Thunder, first took to the field at
the 1999 season home opener against Southwest Texas State on Sept. 11,
1999.
Their unique entrance to the field began as a running "stampede" that
day, and has continued every home game since.
[Will also put story of Wooly Bully song and Spanish intro song here.]
Tradition Makers: Sid Haton, first
director of the Herd of Thunder, 1999-2002
Click photo for larger image
Full Story: http://www.usf.edu/History/1band.html
 USF
BULL MARKET
A decades old tradition, the USF Market's original venue was every Wednesday
in the mall behind the UC (University Center) now the Phyllis P. Marshall
Center. The market drew a crowd which filled the mall with students,
staff
and faculty who were egar to find a "buy", eat lunch and casually
visit with collegues. Today the market is located on the walkway between
Cooper Hall and the Sun Dome.
Click photo for larger image
MOVIES ON THE LAWN
After the addition of the Special Events Center to the University Center
in 1990, students lost a portion of Crescent Hill, but quickly saw a new
opportunity. The back of the SEC made a great outdoor movie screen, and
so in fall, 1991, Movies on the Lawn was born. Every Wednesday evening
during fall and spring semesters, the Campus Activities Board shows a
popular movie - complete with free popcorn. An average of 300 students
attend the weekly film showings - with that number increasing for blockbuster
movies and special events.
Tradition Makers:
Stacy Bruels, '93, Director of the University Center Activities Board
and founder of Movies on the Lawn
MOTL Website: http://ctr.usf.edu/cab/motl.html
 HOMECOMING
USF has held a campus Homecoming since 1964. Early Homecomings were scheduled
around the Golden Brahman's (later the Bulls) basketball games. 1997 marked
the only year where two Homecomings were celebrated: in spring for the
last traditional basketball Homecoming and October 18, 1997, - USF's first
football Homecoming. Since 1997, USF Homecoming's have been named "SuperBull",
followed by the numeric succession since '97.
Throughout the years, the traditional bonfire has been held - where
the mascot of the opposing team is crowned as the centerpiece of
a ready-to-burn
wood palate tower. A campus carnival began in 1991 and has been held
ever since. The traditional campus parade has been held on various
locations
and most recently featured over 80 entries of floats and cars.
Tradition Makers and Keepers:
Rosanna Saraceno, '99, established "Super Bull" homecoming identifications
Click photo for larger image
Homecoming Website: http://ctr.usf.edu/homecoming/
 "GO
BULLS" HAND SYMBOL
The bullhorns created from the fingers on your hand create a powerful
symbol that silently screams: "Go Bulls!" First started as a
good luck for basketball free-throw shooters, the Go Bulls hand symbol
has been used during basketball games, football games, and now during
all USF events as the premier "Go Bulls" cheering symbol.
Click Photo for larger image.
ALMA MATER
Composed by Wayne Hugoboom, a professor of music at USF in 1960, the USF
Alma Mater was first used in 1961. Hugoboom won a USF song competition
and received a check for $250 for coming up with the tradition-making
words and music.
Tradition Makers:
Wayne Hugoboom, USF music professor and composer of the Alma Mater, 1960
Full Story: http://www.usf.edu/History/alma_mater.html
STUDENT GOVERNMENT INAUGURAL
CEREMONY
USF's first Student Body President, Jim Woodruffe, was elected in 1961,
and began a list of impressive student leaders that followed each year.
The first woman Student Body President was Yvonne Berry in 1976 and the
first African-American elected was Les Miller, in 1977.
In 2001 with the establishment of the Board of Trustees, the Student
Body President now serves as the 13th elected member of the Trustees,
bringing more voice to the students than ever.
A traditional Farewell and Inaugural Ceremony is held after elections
to officially install the new officers. First held in May, 1997, the ceremony
is modeled after a military chain of command ceremony. The colors of the
university are passed from a freshman student representing the student
body, through the current student leaders, and then being passed to the
university's President. The President passes the flag to the new Student
Body leadership, who then passes the flag back to the freshman student
- symbolizing that the true power of the Student Body is represented in
the students themselves.
Tradition Makers:
Joe Synovec, Student Government Business Manager, 1997 and originator
of the Farewell and Inaugural Ceremony
First participants of the ceremony: Joe Whalen and Jen Brack, Student
Body President and Vice President, 1996-1997; Edwin Narain and Kamilah
Oliphant, Student Body President and Vice President, 1997-1998.
RETIRED ATHLETIC JERSEYS
USF Athletics began retiring athletic jerseys for outstanding former athletes
beginning on February 14, 1987 with the retiring of Charlie Bradley's
basketball jersey. Basketball forward Charlie Bradley wore his jersey
from 1981 through 1985, and as of 2002 still held six career statistical
records at USF. Jerseys have been retired in men's basketball, baseball,
and women's basketball.
Jerseys are retired upon recommendation from a coach, and are considered
a rare occurrence. A public ceremony marking the jersey's retired number
is usually held. To date, no jersey has been retired in the USF football
program.
Tradition Makers:
Charlie Bradley, '81 - '85
Chucky Atkins, '92 - '96
Radenko Dobras, '88 - '92
Robin Roberts, 1977-85
Scott Hemond, 1984-86
Wanda Guyton, '84-'89
|
