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����ý Traditions

Traditions play an important role in college life, defining the unique character of each institution and providing bonding experiences for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Here are some of ����ý’s most enduring and well-loved traditions:

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Freshman Convocation

At the outset of each fall semester, the university hosts Freshman Convocation for incoming first-time-in-college students. This event is designed to underscore the transition that is taking place in the students’ lives and extend the support of the university community to its newest members. The guest speaker is always the current Distinguished Teacher of the Year.

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Weeks of Welcome

During the fall and spring semesters,��newly arrived��students are introduced to life at ����ý via WOW – Weeks of Welcome. Activities include social gatherings, seminars and an overview of the wide range of services that are available to ����ý students. The beginning of the fall semester also features Move-in Day on the Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses, when members of the university community turn out in large numbers to meet newcomers and help them move into student residence facilities.

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Homecoming

Every fall the ����ý community joins in celebrating Homecoming Week. Homecoming events take place on all campuses and include a kick-off Drag Show, a concert and comedy show headlined by nationally known performers, the ExtravaCANza canned food sculpture contest, carnivals on the Broward and McArthur campuses and, of course, the football game, with the crowning of the Homecoming royalty during halftime. Head to fau.edu/homecoming for more information.

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The Bonfire

The annual fall bonfire, sponsored by Student Government Program Board with the assistance of the Student Alumni Association and other University partners, is quite literally the hottest tradition at ����ý. Flames, smoke, music and excitement fill the air as thousands of ����ý fans cheer the start of a new football season. Go Owls!

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The Taylor Victory Bell

The Taylor Victory Bell rings out the good news after every home win by an ����ý team. Donated in 2010 by longtime ����ý supporters Robert “Crash” Taylor ’75, and his wife, Nina, the Taylor Victory Bell is 60-plus pounds of solid brass spirit!

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Meet Me at Rat’s Mouth

Say what? Newcomers to ����ý are often amused to find out that Boca Raton means “mouth of the rat” in Spanish. (The words actually mean “mouth of the mouse,” ) The term “rat’s mouth” has been embraced by ����ý students, who have given that name to their favorite tailgating spot on the north side of the stadium. Come one, come all to Rat’s Mouth and get ready to cheer the Owls to victory!

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Owl Walk

Another great football tradition is the Owl Walk – a human tunnel formed by students, the Marching Owls and the Cheer and Dance Teams that provides a very special way for the team to enter the stadium from the student tailgate area.

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Owlsley and the Owlsley Statue

Owlsley, ����ý’s high-spirited mascot, appears at all football games and many other campus events. A statue erected in his honor – a gift from the Classes of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 – stands just outside the Recreation and Fitness Center. Students often rub his beak for luck before exams and competitive events. Among the returning ����ý alumni who have posed for a photo with Owlsley is Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson, a 1989 graduate of the College of Business who went on to become a well-known comedian.

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Night Breakfasts

Free late-night breakfasts, which include music and entertainment, are presented on the Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses as finals approach, with faculty and staff serving as waiters. The purpose is to help students relax and have some fun before burning the midnight oil to pass their exams.

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Bury the Burrow in Red

When ����ý’s biggest ����ý rival, Florida International University, comes to ����ý Arena – otherwise known as the Burrow – for some basketball action, fans decked out in “����ý red” turn out en masse. The motto of the day is Wear Red and Be Loud to help make the game a slam dunk for the Owls!

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��The Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival

Ker-splash! What sounds more juicy than a ripe pumpkin hitting the pavement from more than four stories up? This exercise in splatology takes place at ����ý every fall as professors toss pumpkins from the roof of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science building to provide memorable demonstrations of certain fundamental principles of physics. Faculty members and students in the roles of Aristotle, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein are on hand to explain the operative laws. Onlookers always include elementary school children, who get the idea that science can be fun. The Pumpkin Drop is followed by a Physics Carnival, with games that include rocket ring and pumpkin ping pong tosses, sticky darts and an Einstein bean bag throw.

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����ý Students Photograph the World

Every year many ����ý students take advantage of the university’s Study Abroad Programs, traveling to locations all over the world. They’re encouraged to record their experiences photographically, and when they return to ����ý selected images are put on display in a special annual exhibition.

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Math Days

����ý MATH DAYS is a series of outreach programs, interactive activities, and events hosted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences designed to provide elementary, middle and high school students with a wonderful set of experiences that will inspire and motivate students to pursue further study and possible careers in Mathematics and Science. ��The events provide an opportunity for our community to visit campus and imagine themselves as future ����ý Owls.

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BLUEsday

What is BLUEsday? We're glad you asked! BLUEsday is the best day of the week to show off your ����ý pride. Every Tuesday, during fall and spring semesters, be one of the first to head to Program Board's tent on Diversity way and grab free swag for wearing ����ý gear.

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Pose with the Coach

Tasked with creating ����ý's football program from scratch, Coach Howard Schnellenberger led the Owls for their first 12 years on the field. Those teams brought home multiple winning seasons, two bowl wins, and a conference title. A statue of Schnellenberger, with his iconic pose, is located just inside of gate 1 at ����ý Stadium. Pose with the coach next time you are cheering on the Owls!

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