Enduring Traditions: Exploring Student Culture at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech, an institution renowned for its academic rigor and innovative spirit, boasts a vibrant student culture deeply rooted in tradition. These traditions, passed down through generations of Yellow Jackets, reflect the brilliance, determination, and playful nature of its students and alumni. Despite the evolving demographics of the student body, these cherished customs remain remarkably consistent, adapting organically to the times. This article explores some of the most beloved and enduring traditions that define the Georgia Tech experience.
The Thrill of the Race: Cake Race and Pi Mile
The Freshman Cake Race
The Cake Race, a tradition dating back to 1911, initially didn't acquire its name until 1913, when faculty wives, students' mothers, and Tech sweethearts baked cakes for the winners. Officially integrated into Homecoming festivities, it became mandatory for freshmen in 1935. Initially, women were exempt from the Cake Race when they began attending Tech in 1953, participating instead in a 100-yard dash. From 1954, the race winner also received a kiss from the Homecoming queen.
Today, the Cake Race is a co-ed event where all freshmen are encouraged to participate and receive a cupcake upon completion. The victors still receive cakes and a kiss from Mr. or Ms. Georgia Tech. Held before sunrise on Homecoming morning, the half-mile race from Russ Chandler Stadium to Bobby Dodd Stadium is a spirited sprint, often encountering playful interference from fraternity students along the way.
The Pi Mile Road Race
Another prominent race tradition is the Pi Mile Road Race, one of Atlanta's longest continually running races. The first race, a 3-mile run named after George C. Griffin, occurred in 1973, just three years after the Peachtree Road Race. In 1976, the race was extended to 3.14 miles, representing "pi," before eventually transitioning to the standard 5K distance to attract a wider range of competitors. Runners can compete individually or as part of a team, with a "ghost" category allowing participants to register as George P. Burdell and receive a race T-shirt without running. Sponsored by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, a portion of the race takes place on the Tyler Brown Pi Mile Trail, a campus running course dedicated to a former Student Government Association president who advocated for a safe, well-lit running path.
Homecoming Festivities: Mini 500 and Ramblin' Wreck Parade
The Mini 500 Tricycle Race
Since 1969, the Mini 500 tricycle race has been an annual Homecoming tradition. Teams of students race around the Peters Parking Deck on child-sized tricycles. Each team consists of seven members: four drivers and three pit crew members. The rules require each team to rotate the front tire of their tricycle three times during the race: 15 laps for men and 10 for women.
Read also: University of Georgia Sorority Guide
The Ramblin' Wreck Parade
The Ramblin' Wreck Parade, which began in 1932 as a substitute for a road race to Athens, features cars in three categories: classic cars, themed cars, and contraptions-man-powered vehicles built by students and judged for their creativity and effective operation. The parade dates back to 1929 when The Technique began an "Old Ford Race" to Athens. In 1932, the race was deemed unsafe by the administration so a parade of contraptions was created to subdue student protests. The parade has run every year since 1932 except for the years of 1942-1943 due to the American fuel shortage caused by World War II. In 1944, the parade was renewed except the contraptions had to be human powered.
"To Hell With Georgia!": The Institute's Rivalry
The intense rivalry with the University of Georgia, known as "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate," is deeply ingrained in Georgia Tech's culture. This animosity dates back to the late 19th century, when the first football game between the two schools resulted in violence and accusations of cheating. Following the 1919 football game, athletic events between the schools were suspended for five years. While relations have improved, the annual football game remains a highly anticipated event. The week leading up to the game is known as "Hate Week," during which The Technique publishes satirical articles about UGA, a "To Hell with Georgia" poster, and the color red is avoided on campus.
"To Hell With Georgia" (abbreviated "THWG" or "THWUGA"or "THWg") is also known as "The Good Word." In 2009, the Georgia Tech Cable Network (GTCN), produced a show, about the history of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate 'To Hell With Georgia'.
Drownproofing: A Unique Survival Legacy
Georgia Tech is also known for the method of water survival known as “drownproofing.” In 1938, Georgia Tech’s swimming and diving coach Freddy Lanoue created drownproofing as a way to survive in the water with one’s hands and feet bound. The method was adopted by other schools and the military during WWII, and was even featured in Life magazine in the 1950s. Drownproofing became mandatory for all students at Tech, and was required for graduation between 1940 and 1986. James Herbert “Herb” McAuley, EE 47, took over as swimming and diving coach after Lanoue, and continued to teach the infamous drownproofing class until it was discontinued.
Sideways: The Beloved Campus Dog
In 1945, a little white terrier with black patches found her way to the campus of Georgia Tech. She was dubbed “Sideways” because she had an odd gait, believed to be the result of falling from or being hit by a car. Sideways soon became a campus mascot of sorts, making friends with students and earning invitations into dorms, classrooms and other campus facilities. She even marched with the drill team and led the football team onto the field. Sideways died mysteriously just two years later in 1947, and the student body raised money to buy a marble monument with a picture of their friend. Today, the monument, inscribed with the words “Ever faithful and true companion of the student body at Ga. Tech,” is still on the northwest side of Tech Tower.
Read also: The Dynasty of Excellence
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
The Institute’s first Homecoming was held on June 7, 1920. It was sponsored by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association as a celebration of the group’s reorganization after several inactive years. Activities included a barbecue on Grant Field and a baseball game between students and alumni. Today, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend brings alumni from all over the world back to Tech to reconnect with old friends. It’s a festive time to be on campus, and students work diligently to create brightly painted banners and large tissue paper decorations to adorn buildings for the annual celebration.
RAT Caps: A Freshman Rite of Passage
Since 1915, the undersized yellow hats known as RAT Caps have been a definitive part of the Georgia Tech freshman experience. All first year students receive a RAT Cap-short for Recruit at Tech-and are instructed to fill it out with their name, major, hometown, graduation date and the word “RAT” in all capital letters. The back panel is reserved for the phrase “To HELL with Georgia,” and the remaining real estate is reserved for recording the Yellow Jackets’ football scores. Freshman were originally required to wear their RAT caps at all times, lest they be subjected to all manner of hazing from upperclassmen.
Every year, a number of freshmen, most notably those in the marching band, wear gold caps known as RAT caps at each football game. RAT is short for Recruit At Tech, although recently the Student Government has begun incorrectly using "Recently Acquired Tech Students" or "Recently Acquired Techie". The RAT caps are decorated with the football team's scores, the freshman's name, hometown, major, expected graduation date, and "To HELL With Georgia" emblazoned on the back of the cap. It is important that 'HELL' should be in all capital letters, while 'Georgia' should be all lowercase. The tradition began in 1915, and freshmen were required to wear the RAT caps every day until the Thanksgiving weekend game with UGA (if Georgia Tech won) or until end of the school year (if Georgia Tech lost). If Tech did not play UGA that year, freshmen were allowed to stop wearing their caps after a homecoming game victory. If the team lost, then the previously stated rules applied. Freshmen caught not wearing the cap faced varying degrees of hazing, including having their hair shaved into the shape of a letter tee ("T") or a T-cut.
The Ramblin' Wreck: More Than Just a Mascot
Tigers, bears and other ferocious beasts are a dime a dozen when it comes to college mascots. But an antique car? Now that’s the kind of mascot you could only find at Georgia Tech. Though the Institute’s athletic teams are known as the Yellow Jackets, the life-size insect named Buzz didn’t step onto the scene until 1981. For more than 100 years, the students at Georgia Tech have been referred to as Ramblin’ Wrecks. So it’s only fitting that a refurbished car would serve as a symbol for the clever, enterprising student body. In 1960, Dean Jim Dull saw a beautiful Ford Model A coupe parked in front of Towers Dormitory and knew it would be the perfect car to serve as a mascot for Georgia Tech. He located the owner, an Atlanta pilot named Ted Johnson, who had painstakingly restored the car with his son. He didn’t want to sell the car, but Dull persisted and Johnson eventually donated the classic car as a gift to the Institute.
The term Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech refers to either current students or alumni, the school mascot (also referred to as the Ramblin' Reck), or the various sports teams. Georgia Tech alumni, working on the construction of the Panama Canal, were called Ramblin' Wrecks for the ingenious machines that they devised to transport themselves in and out of the jungles of Panama. These devices and their creators were nicknamed Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech. Since then the term Ramblin' Wreck has been applied to a graduate or current student of Georgia Tech. The actual Ramblin' Reck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe first acquired by then-associate dean of students James E. Dull, in 1961. The first Ramblin' Wreck mascot reference was in 1926 to Dean Floyd Field's 1914 Ford Model T.
Read also: Choosing Your UGA Major
Buzz: The Beloved Mascot
Buzz - who made his first campus appearance in 1980 - is the world-famous and beloved mascot of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Buzz gets Tech fans cheering at nearly all the Institute’s intercollegiate sporting events.
Campus Landmarks and Lingo
The Campanile
The Richard C. Kessler Campanile is an iconic Georgia Tech landmark located at the heart of campus, outside of the John Lewis Student Center and Stamps Commons.
Couch Park
Large green space adjacent to the Campus Recreation Center's Penny and Roe Stamps Recreation Fields (West Campus)
CRC
Campus Recreation Center. The CRC offers several membership options for students, faculty, staff, affiliates, alumni, and their families to participate in a range of well-being activities including swimming and fitness classes.
FASET
Familiarization and Adaptation to the Surroundings and Environs of Tech (This is Georgia Tech's first-year student orientation program.)
Flag Building
The official name of this building is the Charles A. Smithgall Jr. Student Services Building.
Focus
A premier program for raising graduate education awareness, designed to attract the brightest underrepresented minority students and encourage them to pursue graduate degrees at Georgia Tech.
The Hill
The historic area of campus where the offices of senior Institute administrators are located.
'Nique
The Technique is the campus newspaper, providing the campus community with information, analysis, and opinions that reflect the needs and interests of the student body at Georgia Tech.
Ramblin’ Wreck Fight Song
The words and music for Tech’s world-famous “Ramblin’ Wreck” fight song were inspired by an old folk ballad, “The Sons of the Gamboliers.” The name Ramblin’ Wreck gained widespread acceptance in the 1920s, when Tech graduates began building makeshift mechanical buggies to improve a poor transportation system in South America.
Week of Welcome
The Week of Welcome is Tech’s orientation week for new students, when first-year students learn all about Tech campus traditions.
The Whistle
Believed to have come to Tech in 1896, the steam whistle was meant to mimic the industrial whistles of the times. It called the students to their shop classes. Today, it is operated by a computerized atomic clock that releases the steam. The Whistle blows five minutes to the hour to end classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It has a different schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It also blows after Tech touchdowns during home games.
Stealing the "T"
Tech Tower, Tech's historic primary administrative building, has the letters TECH hanging atop it on each of its four sides. Since 1969, students on several occasions have orchestrated complex plans to scale Tech Tower and steal the huge symbolic letter T off the building. The 'T' was first stolen in April 1969 by a secret group of Georgia Tech students calling themselves the "Magnificent Seven." The students, who were inspired by a similar prank that had taken place in 1968 at Harvard University, planned the theft as a means of commemorating Institute President Edwin D. Harrison's retirement. Tradition dictates that the first T to be stolen should be the one facing east, as this can most easily be seen from the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector. Although the administration used to turn a blind eye to this practice, it is now officially discouraged, due to the risk of fatal falls and the potential for damage to the building, and equated to criminal activity (trespassing and theft).
The Whistle
Although not as popular as "stealing the T", the whistle has been stolen several times. The first ever Tech whistle installed in the late 1890s was stolen in 1902. The whistle was returned to Dean Griffin in 1949 as a retirement gift. The second theft of the whistle occurred in 1963, when a group of students nicknamed the "Magnificent 7" stole the whistle. Fearing Institute repercussions, the group returned the whistle in the spring of 1964. The whistle was again stolen in 1978 by a group nicknamed the "Committee of Five". The whistle was also stolen in 1969 and 1997. Both times the whistle was returned almost immediately after its theft.
Student Organizations and Spirit
The Ramblin' Reck Club
The Ramblin' Reck Club was founded in 1930 as the Yellow Jacket Club to help bolster school spirit. Coach William Alexander found campus spirit to be particularly low during the Great Depression. His successful football program and the other athletic teams had very few student fans attending the games. The Yellow Jacket Club helped facilitate the Freshman Cake Race and helped to organize the first Wreck Parades in 1932. The Yellow Jacket Club were the strict student enforcement of the freshmen RAT rules as well.
The Swarm
The Swarm is a spirit group consisting of 900 Georgia Tech students found seated along the north end zone during home football games and on the court during basketball games. The Swarm was started by Suzanne "Suzy Swarm" Robinson, who borrowed the idea from her sister and a high school friend both also heading to Tech for a way to build a strong community through community cohesion especially freshman, of the Ramblin' Reck Club in 1996 to increase the amount of student participation in the stands. The Swarm was only 250 members when it began in 1996. The group increased to 650 members by 2001 and is currently 900 members strong. All Swarm members donate to the Alexander-Tharpe fund and are given gold T-shirts before every football and basketball season. One of the more popular traditions amongst Swarm members is the "Running of the Swarm". Because all Swarm seating is general admission, there are no reserved seats.
Flashcard Display
A flashcard display is performed at every home football game by students. The flashcard section was first formed in 1957 by an organization known as the Block-T Club. The idea for a flashcard section and group to organize its efforts was conceived by members of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Through the support of Ramblin' Reck Club the first flashcard section featured 400 freshmen and highly coordinated flashcard images. The original flashcard sections were completely voluntary but afterwards, the Swarm maintained the tradition as a mandatory requirement of being a member of Swarm. Currently, the flashcard display is no longer performed due to difficulty coordinating it.
The Goldfellas
The Goldfellas are a group of Georgia Tech superfans who paint their entire bodies yellow, spelling out words and phrases in black letters on their chests. These painted fans attend every home football game and are located behind the South end zone goalposts.
tags: #georgia #tech #student #culture #traditions
