6 traditions, all but forgotten
There are ties that bind Flyers through the years, but each generation has special moments we wish we could bring back — or maybe not.
1 - Freshman beanies
New student orientation during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s looked a bit different than today. Freshman initiation rituals included serenading the sophomores or rolling peanuts across the ground with your nose. The Dayton Flyer student newspaper wrote in 1956, “Initiation week began officially last Monday when the wearing of beanies became mandatory. Freshmen unfortunate enough to be caught without the light blue, red-billed caps were branded (with chalk) N. B. [no beanie] on the forehead.”
2 - Homecoming
It was a huge event that in various years included Mass, a parade, bed races, reunions, dances and, of course, the football game. It was 1969 when floats last glided through downtown as the sound of marching bands echoed off the office buildings. The 1990 Daytonian reported that “homecoming is a time for students, faculty and alumni to celebrate what the University means to them.” The last homecoming celebration was held in 2000.
3 - Military Ball
Started in 1919, the Military Ball was UD’s social event of the year. In 1933, the Alumnus reported that in addition to students, all regular service and reserve Army officers in Dayton were invited to attend. At the 1948 ball, two orchestras performed, allowing for almost continuous dancing at the Lakeside Palladium — for $3.50 per couple.
4 - Standing in line for registration
Registering for classes used to require comfortable shoes and an abundance of patience. As the 1960 Daytonian described, “The line began in the Fieldhouse, circled up to the treasurer’s office, then over to the Women’s Gym.” In 1989, it was a shorter line down St. Mary’s Hall, with frequent trips to the Bulletin Board of Lost Hope, also known as the closed class list.
5 - May Queen
In 1935, UD began its tradition of crowning a May Queen in honor of Mary, Mother of Jesus. All unmarried senior “coeds” were eligible, and the queen was elected by the student body. Held May 1, the ceremony began with the blessing of the flowers. The student body recited the rosary as it wound through the grounds. The queen and her attendants then offered flowers to Mary at the foot of the Statue of the Immaculate Conception, and the ceremony concluded after the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
6 - Eating — and ogling — at Brother Paul’s
Before Kennedy Union dining or Marycrest monster cookies, there was a lunch counter in the connector between St. Mary’s and Chaminade halls called Brother Paul’s. Run by Marianist Brother Paul Olmor, it was the place to see — and be seen. Kay Baughan wrote in the The Dayton Flyer in 1955, “It’s really something when some campus celebrity strolls into Brother Paul’s ... at night. Nothing escapes us owlers. There was the evening big Bill Uhl took up two chairs talking to some of his cronies. … Who can study when basketball stars are in the room?”