Campus news
Colors Proudly Wave The College’s green and gold spirit colors hearken back to some of the earliest days of the Normal School. By the time Color Day was established in 1902, the colors of green and gold were firmly established among the School’s traditions, along with the Golden Eagles sports teams and Ellsworth the College’s spirit mascot. Color Day was developed by a committee of students and faculty led by Principal Charles MacFarlane (1901-1910), and always took place in May when the colors of spring — green grass and golden dandelions — made their appearance following the black and white of a long, snowy Upstate winter. Color Day Pageant: Queen and Her Court
Over the years, Color Day became very popular at the School and within the local community. However, Principal Ernest Hartwell (1936-1944) ended the tradition in 1937 because it had become “too rowdy.” He also abolished the Greek organizations that had become integral to Color Day because they, too, went against his sense of academic decorum. Color Day activities included regular morning classes, “followed by ‘Class Stunts’ performed in the Normal auditorium for the amusement and entertainment of friends and classmates.” The day continued with a luncheon, games and sports, and concessions run by various student organizations. The main event, however, was a pageant presented by Normal School students, which featured a Color Day queen and her court.
The Brockport Legacy
The Cast of a Color Day Play.
2