Inspired by the Aggie wet-class-ring contest, let's talk college traditions here.

There are two (of note) at my undergrad alma mater, Emporia State University.

First has to do with "Silent Joe".  

Silent Joe is the name given to the bell in our bell tower.  How did he get that name?  

Well, it has been tradition to ring Silent Joe at the close of a winning home football game since the 1910's.  Along about 1930, ESU (Then called "Kansas State Teacher's College") had a football team that was predicted by many to be so great, the campus bell would crack from stress.  This was at a time when, for instance, KSN frequently and consistently beat the tar out of KU.

Well, the season came along, and...well, things didn't work out as planned.  The bell remained silent.

Joe was a common name back then, used like "Mac" or "Buddy" or "Jack".  Students came to calling the bell Silent Joe, especially when talking about the football season.

And so, to this day, the campus bell in our bell tower is called "Silent Joe," though it has rung many times since that dark season.


The second tradition is that of Wooster Lake Bridge.   Wooster lake, more of a pond really, was created in the early 20th century to provide irrigation water for the football field a short distance away.  Though it is no longer used for that purpose, the lake remains, and a bridge crosses the center on top of a steam tunnel.

The tradition, or legend, is that any couple who kiss at midnight on Wooster Lake Bridge are destined to marry.  Several weddings have been held near Wooster Bridge in recognition of the frequently accurate legend.

These traditions/legends are from Emporia State University, which was once Emporia Kansas State College, which was once Kansas State Teachers College, which was originally Kansas State Normal.

Jim

Beating Notre Dame, UCLA, Cal and Stanford.

What school?

My wife is a USC Trojan, I think her list would look very much like yours.

Beating the aggies. LOL.

Man, the Ag's are gonna get ticked off again.

They just can't handle the truth.