Homecoming 2017

THE INDEPENDENT

COLLEGIAN

Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919

2 | The Independent Collegian | Homecoming 2017

Do YOU value your LOCAL, INDEPENDENT newspaper?

Dear readers of The IC, This year marks the 86th annual homecoming game in our school’s history. “Aloha Rockets!” is this year’s theme and this Saturday night, the Rockets will be facing Eastern Michigan University.

Inside this special edition of The IC, you can expect to find the history of the Blue Crew and a peek into 100 years of Rocket football, along with other Homecoming-related articles.

Don’t forget to put on your flower leis and Hawaiian-print shirts and help cheer our team to victory Saturday, Oct. 7 at noon. Go Rockets!

THE IC STAFF

About this publication Homecoming 2017 is a special edition produced by The Independent Collegian, the University of Toledo’s student newspaper.

Editor-In-Chief Emily Schnipke

Executive Director Erin Gariepy

Managing Editor Emily Jackson

Photography Department Rachel Nearhoof Meagan O’Hara

Section Editors Bryce Buyakie Corey Latimer Sam Williams Jackson Rogers Areeba Shah Jessica Harker Copy Editors Kristen Buchler Anthony Garcia

Advertising Joe Heidenescher Tim Gariepy Distribution Jed Schilling Operations Hana Schnipke

Cover Photo by Rachel Nearhoof

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Homecoming 2017 | The Independent Collegian | 3

FOOTBALL

years of football

By Sam Williams Sports Editor

When an athletic program reaches the century milestone, there are bound to be incredible stories about the rich history of the team. As the University of Toledo football team celebrates its centennial, there is no shortage of stories to tell.

One of the most interesting narratives in Rocket football antiquity is that of legendary quarterback Chuck Ealey.

Ealey’s story is one of the rare athletic stories that transcends the world of sports and helps tell the history of our country’s evolving and often lamentable race relations.

Ealey did not lose. In his three years at Notre Dame high school in the late 60s, Ealey led the Titans to a state championship in 1967 and finished his high school career with an incredible 30-0 record. These types of statistics would leave any college scout with his jaw on the floor but, in 1967, at the height

of the civil rights movement, being a black quarterback was enough to negate Ealey’s previous accomplishments.

Ealey was offered a third-string opportunity at Miami University, but he turned down the offer and went with the starting quarterback job at the University of Toledo. What followed is one of the most impressive careers in not only Toledo football, but in all of college football.

Ealey, as previously stated, did not lose.

Ealey played for the Rockets for three years as the starting quarterback and in those three years the University of Toledo lost a total of zero games.

Ealey’s 35-0 career record at Toledo remains the record for a starting quarterback winning streak. From 19691971, Ealey led the Rockets to three straight Tangerine Bowl (now called the Citrus Bowl) wins, winning MVP in every one of those victories. Ealey finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1971 and was named a first-team All-American in the same season.

Ealey’s jersey number is one of four retired numbers in the 100 years history of Toledo football, and he was a charter member in the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame.

When Ealey entered the NFL draft in 1972, these accomplishments were once again seen as void due to the color of his skin. NFL teams still saw the quarterback as a position that was meant to be played by a white man, and all of the teams that scouted Ealey were interested in him as a wide receiver or as a defensive back.

Ealey stayed determined to play quarterback and wouldn’t let his position be compromised.

Prior to the start of the draft, Ealey sent a letter to all prospective teams that he would only agree to be drafted if he was drafted as a quarterback. To NFL teams, this may as well have been a letter stating he did not want to play in the NFL. Round after round passed in the draft

and, out of the 442 picks made that year, none were for Chuck Ealey. Few teams were interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent, and none of those teams were interested in him as a quarterback.

Ealey continued his career in professional football but not in America.

Ealey joined the Canadian Football League in 1972.

“I came to Canada to live the American dream,” Ealey said in an interview during his rookie season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Ealey’s success in the CFL was expected by anyone who had seen his amateur career. Ealey was moved to the starting quarterback position by game four of the season, where he went on to lead the Tiger-Cats to a Grey Cup victory, the CFL version of the Super Bowl. Ealey played seven seasons in the CFL before his career ended with a collapsed lung injury.

When it was all said and done, Ealey had recorded 13,326 passing yards and 82 touchdowns in his CFL career. This level of success does not come by accident, and, along with his impressive college career, it is easy to see that Ealey wasn’t given his chance in the NFL due to the color of his skin and the position he played.

Ealey getting the chance to shine in college is one of the brightest spots in Toledo football’s 100-year history and shows the importance of approaching challenging political topics through the lens of sports.

Ealey’s incredible success at Toledo gives him a spot as not only one of the most important players in Toledo football’s rich history but as an important example of the discrimination and inequality of the past.

“Ealey getting the chance to shine in college is one of the brightest spots in Toledo football’s 100-year history and shows the importance of approaching challenging political topics through the lens of sports.”

PHOTOS BY RACHEL NEARHOOF

4 | The Independent Collegian | Homecoming 2017 PLANNING

Homecoming A behind-the-scenes look at UT’s oldest tradition

By Areeba Shah Community Editor

It’s that unique time of year again, where organizations come together to paint their banners and students gather to celebrate their pride in being a Rocket. But, what people don’t really see is the planning that takes place behind the scenes.

Shelby Sipe, a third-year paralegal studies major, is the director of finance and sponsorship chair of this year’s Homecoming Committee and says they have been working on homecoming since last semester.

“You think homecoming is just this parade, but there’s so much work that

goes in it,” Sipe said. “We started last semester and worked all through this summer and then when we came back in the fall it was constant meetings.”

The Homecoming Committee is made up of 14 students who orchestrated this year’s homecoming, including a week full of events celebrating UT’s long-standing tradition. Although stressful, the planning is worthwhile, with all UT students uniting to celebrate their colors for one day each year.

“It’s a very tedious process, but it’s been a lot of fun,” second-year education major Lily Kilpatrick said. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

Kilpatrick, the event planner for this year’s homecoming, had her very own subcommittee of chair members for different categories including events, logistics, decorations and multicultural. Her very first step as part of her role included deciding on a theme.

Unlike past years, Kilpatrick said she wanted to try something different. For the first time, UT students were given the great opportunity and responsibility of deciding this year’s homecoming theme. RockeTHON participants, with the help of Rocky and Rocksy, chose the theme “Aloha Rockets.”

As soon as the theme was

“You think homecoming is just this parade, but there’s so much work that goes in it.”

SHELBY SIPE Homecoming Committee Director of Finance and Sponsorship Chair

chosen, the team began brainstorming activities they could hold for the week leading up to homecoming. They held the first event of the week, a Continental Breakfast, on Monday, and ended the day with Poolside Paradise, a movie night in the UT Recreational Center pool, Kilpatrick said. Continuing the tradition, on Tuesday local food trucks offered a

variety of Hawaiian food.

The rest of this week’s events include Flags for Veterans on Wednesday, outside Centennial Mall from 11-3 p.m. to fundraise 1Matters, an organization that helps homeless veterans in Toledo. The event will be followed by a Homecoming Royalty Pageant in the SU Ingman Room from 7-9 p.m. A Rocket Luau will take place Thursday, 12-2 p.m. outside Centennial Mall and “spreading more than just peanut butter” for Bridge at I-House from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

To make these events a success, Kilpatrick said she worked closely with the marketing, finance and operations team. From coordinating times that were convenient for the entire team to getting plans approved, the process was rather long and stressful.

“We fought really hard to bring food trucks to campus,” Kilpatrick said. “It’s the biggest tradition on campus, so I definitely don’t want to disappoint.”

Sipe also described the process as stressful, as she was responsible for working with a budget of about $10,400. Her role included buying items for different events and coordinating the budget to fit the committee’s needs.

From beginning the planning in March and running through with ideas until the end of May, the rest of the process involved figuring out logistics leading to a two-month

long project, Kilpatrick said. To ensure the whole team was on the same page, the committee met once a week on Thursday nights to develop ideas.

“Communication was key in planning everything,” Kilpatrick said.

She added that, while getting approval from the administration, working within the university’s policies and making sure everyone was on board with planning was the hardest part for her. But she enjoyed working with all the people along the way.

“It’s a lot more work than I thought when I first joined, but I’ve loved it,” Sipe said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot from it.”

She added that speaking with professionals and getting sponsorships allowed her to grow professionally.

“It’s a very tedious process, but it’s been a lot of fun.

I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

LILY KILPATRICK Homecoming Committee Event Planner

“We used to be the best organization on campus and that’s what homecoming should be about,” Kilpatrick said. “I really want students to try to come out, have a great time and enjoy themselves and be there.”

The homecoming parade will begin on Campus Road on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL NEARHOOF

Homecoming 2017 | The Independent Collegian | 5

THE INDEPENDENT

COLLEGIAN Through the pages

By Emily Schnipke Editor-in-chief

“Without struggle, there can be no progress.” — Frederick Douglass The Universi-Teaser was first founded in 1919, just two years shy of a century ago. With almost a hundred years under our belts, we’ve made mistakes and learned from them.

We’ve started from humble beginnings as a newspaper

started by two university students to a fully-staffed editorial squad.

Now facing the next section of our life as a student newspaper, we wanted to travel back in time to see where we’ve been and what we’ve done.

Learning from our mistakes is part of the learning process, and we’re looking forward to a future.

This issue of the Campus Collegian was published on December 12, 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ start of involvement in World War II. In addition to regular campus news, this issue had articles on the Red Cross and discussions of war opinions.

On January 10, 2000, the Collegian resumed printing for the spring semester. We found it interesting that three of the top stories included information about “bugs” in their headlines. The bottom story talks about the failure of the Y2K and the entire scare behind it.

The Toledo Universi-Teaser printed its first issue on March 5, 1991. The weekly student newspaper, which was sold for five cents, was started by two Toledo University students. Articles they covered and printed for the first issue included Bill Barber, a war hero teaching French at TU; a banquet held by the university commerce club; and Toledo’s Founding Fathers.

In 1922, the name of the newspaper was changed to The Campus Collegian and was shortened to The Collegian in 1962.

The University of Toledo has changed a lot over the years, and it’s odd to see campus without some of its iconic locations.

On Oct. 21, 2010, the Independent Collegian, which became independent in the summer of 2000, covered the new Taco Bell which would soon be constructed next to campus.

6 | The Independent Collegian | Homecoming 2017 EVENT

ORGANIZATION

Floats and festivities

By Jessica Harker Opinion Editor

Homecoming at the University of Toledo has always been a tradition celebrating the university and rallying support for its football team. This year’s homecoming marks the 100th anniversary of UT’s football program and is themed “Aloha Rockets!”

CAP president Toriano Drane said that his organization is planning a variety of events to celebrate the occasion.

For the parade, the group is creating a float related to the Hawaiian theme, according to Drane.

“On our float, we have Rocky and Rocksy posing on a beach next to a giant volcano,” Drane said.

He also explained that CAP is collaborating on the float in collaboration with Student Government and the International Student Association for the first time.

“I believe this project will be a tradition for CAP from here on,” Drane said.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7 and will run a different route than years before, due to the Bancroft

Road Project construction taking place in front of campus.

Not only is CAP working on projects to fit the theme of homecoming, it is also promoting the celebration of 100 years of football, according to Drane.

“This year, so far, we have given out 250 limited edition ‘100th year anniversary of Athletics’ hats at the UT vs. Tulsa game,” Drane said.

In addition to the parade, UT hosts a large tailgating party before the game to rally the community in support of the team.

This year’s alumni tailgate, funded by the Alumni Association, will begin at 9 a.m. at the William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion.

Alumni are invited to “enjoy free hot dogs, chips, and non-alcoholic beverages, a cash bar (ages 21+) and live music from 5 O’Clock Rush.” according to the UT webpage.

All tailgates will go on until noon when the game begins against Eastern Michigan University at the Glass Bowl Stadium.

Associate News Editor

Spirit that rocks Managing Editor

Located in the University of Toledo’s Flatlands, the Spirit Rock has seen many a campus pep rally and, by our calculations, around 3,000 layers of paint over the past 20 years.

But how did this massive, eight-ton boulder get to be in the middle of campus?

In 1968, Nicholson Concrete and Supply Co. donated a huge rock to UT as a symbol of spirit and it was placed on the grass between Carlson Library and the Student Union.

The rock used to stand on end, but members of the varsity football team knocked the rock into its permanent position on its side.

The rock didn’t stay for long, however.

Unmasking Blue Crew

By Corey Latimer

HISTORY

By Emily Jackson

MEAGAN O’HARA / IC

Blue Crew points at the camera during the game against Tulsa Sept. 19.

During the expansion of the Student Union, the rock was moved to rest beside the pond at Scott Park campus, where it now resides.

The current Spirit Rock was donated to the university in 1997 and placed in the Flatlands.

Over the years, it has been tarred, feathered, burnt and spray-painted by every kind of student organization, team and club.

It is a tradition to paint the rock before games, but it may only be painted during twilight hours.

So, if you don’t mind staying awake until sunrise, I suggest you grab some cans of blue and gold spray paint and cover the rock in some spirit in honor of homecoming week.

They’re the ones in the blue and yellow afro wigs, the high-top Converse, gold masks and painter’s overalls. They’re the craziest ones at every football game, the loudest ones at the pep rallies, the most spirited of us all.

Odds are you’ve seen the Blue Crew around. But the history of this mysterious bunch goes back nearly two decades.

Their first public appearance was in 2000 at a UT football game against Penn State in Happy Valley, former Blue Crew member Brian “Legal Eagle” Weinblatt said in an issue of Cornerstones.

This organization is comprised of ten members who are dedicated to making sure the university’s traditions stay intact.

Dressed in blue and gold from head to toe, the Blue Crew attends every home and away football game, as well as both men’s and women’s basketball games.

The crew members wear masks and use aliases to conceal their true identities, which are only revealed to the

student body after they have served four full semesters as a Blue Crew member or until they graduate.

The Blue Crew is most noted for its participation at the homecoming parade, where members can be found keeping school spirit high by riding in small red cars and sporting their blue and gold attire.

The current members of the crew are “J-Soup,” “Iron Maiden,” “Shocker,” “Hitch,” “5-0,” “Bambino,” “Handle Bars,” “Iggy,” “Rookie Blue” and “New Guy.” According the Blue Crew website, Hitch, the oldest member of the current group, joined the organization in January 2015 because he/she loves UT and loves to have fun.

Ironically the most recent member is not New Guy, but J-Soup.

“Birthed” in March 2017, J-Soup says he joined because he “wanted to make everyone smile a little more on campus with school spirit.”

Though not much is known about these mysterious individuals, we do know that they keep us high-spirited and full of school spirit year-round.

Homecoming 2017 | The Independent Collegian | 7 CONSTRUCTION

Will orange barrels block the homecoming parade?

By Bryce Buyakie News Editor

The 2017 Homecoming Parade will be shorter in both length and time, but not because of the ongoing Bancroft Street construction.

The construction on Bancroft Street has affected the

planning and route of the parade, but a UTPD policy that requires parking lots 12 and 13 to be cleared three hours before kickoff will shorten the parade, Blue Key President Alex DiBell wrote in an email.

This year the parade has changed significantly and will

“Floats are required to be certain dimensions that fit a standard road size in one direction. This means that they will be able to fit the eastbound land.”

ALEX DIBELL Blue Key President

take participants from Campus Road, onto Bancroft Street, through Old Orchard neighborhood, and back onto Bancroft Street before returning to UT, DiBell wrote.

As of writing this article, Bancroft Street in front of University Hall is closed to repair and replace gas lines, but should be open in a “couple” days, laborer Kyle Fust said.

The eastbound lane will be open on Saturday for the parade, but spectators will only be able to stand on the south side of Bancroft, DiBell wrote.

The parade was also shortened to accommodate the

game-time schedule determined

by ESPN, so the university is “compelled to have the parade start at 8 a.m. and have the lots cleared by 9 a.m.,” he wrote.

To shorten the parade, “we removed groups that were not student organizations or explicitly UT-related,” DiBell wrote. “We also brought [the route] in one block towards campus to speed things up.”

To ensure everyone’s safety, Miller Brothers Construction assured Blue Key that road conditions should be suitable for the parade, DiBell wrote.

“Floats are required to be certain dimensions that fit a

standard road size in one direction,” he wrote. “This means that they will be able to fit the eastbound land.”

According to the Homecoming website, the Aloha Rockets Homecoming Parade will take place Oct. 7 at 8 a.m. and the football game will kick off at noon.

If you go

What: Homecoming Parade Where: Begins on Campus Road When: 8 a.m., Oct. 7

8 | The Independent Collegian | Homecoming 2017

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