Traditions The “C” Logo
The Order of the “C”
The University of Chicago athletics emblem underwent several changes during the institution’s early years. The first football team in 1892 sported no recognizable emblem on its uniforms. In an effort to provide the team with an identity, the letters “UC” were cut out of brown paper and pasted on the players’ uniforms. In the spring of 1893, the emblem was modified into the form of a monogram that the baseball team incorporated on its uniforms. A single letter was used for the first time in 1894 when the football and track squads displayed an oblong “C” on their uniforms. That emblem remained in existence until 1897 when it was replaced by a “C” in large, round type. Then in 1898, Maroon teams adopted the Chicago “C” emblem, which has been worn to the present day.
The Undergraduate Order of the C is the body of varsity lettermen whose object is to support the cause of athletics at the University. This association works together to “keep the memory of the University athletic life and which shall perpetuate the athletic honor and traditions of our Alma Mater.” All undergraduate University men who have been awarded the right to wear the “C” are eligible for membership in this organization. They become members in full standing upon signing the roll of membership at the annual meeting. The annual banquets for the OOC began in 1904 and were initially organized by legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg and the University’s first president, William Rainey Harper. In 1906, the OOC formally adopted a constitution and elected its first officers, making it the nation’s oldest varsity lettermen’s group.
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Maroon, Maroons & The Phoenix Maroon and “Maroons” became the University of Chicago’s official color and nickname, respectively, at a meeting of students and faculty on May 5, 1894. Before the University held its first classes on October 1, 1892, the Board of Trustees had selected goldenrod (yellow) as the school’s official color. By 1894, however, Chicago’s legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg believed that a change was necessary. “The yellow ran, soiled easily, and had a regrettable symbolism which our opponents might not be above commenting upon,” said Stagg in his autobiography, Touchdown! Because maroon was not already in use by any major school in the Midwest, Stagg and his associate J.E. Raycroft brought a selection of maroon shades to the 1894 meeting of students and faculty. The meeting attendees made a choice from those ribbons, and the baseball team appeared in that color during its final games of the 1894 season. On July 21, 1894, the first mention of a U. of C. athletic team as “Maroons” appeared in the Chicago Tribune in an article about the baseball team. The Phoenix – which is featured as part of the University’s official coat of arms, or shield – serves as the school’s mascot. The University of Chicago Board of Trustees adopted the shield in 1910.
University of Chicago Basketball 2014-15
Fight Song: “Wave the Flag” Wave the Flag (For Old Chicago) is the fight song for the Maroons. It was traditionally sung at midfield after each home victory. The lyrics were written by Gordon Erickson in 1929.
“Wave the flag of old Chicago, Maroon the color grand. Ever shall her team be victors, Known throughout the land. With the grand old man to lead them, Without a peer they’ll stand. Wave again the dear old banner, For they’re heroes, every man!”
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