The Boulder is a DePauw University icon. CHRISTA SCHROEDEL / THE DEPAUW
Founded 175 years ago, DePauw Univeristy has a long history, and with history come traditions. These traditions shape every student, alumni, administrator, faculty member and staff member, as well as each visitor’s DePauw experience.
The Monon Bell Game
Dating back to the 1890s, the DePauw Tigers and Wabash College Little Giants football teams have faced each other on the field 120 times, with Wabash holding a 57-53-9 lead. In 1932 the teams started playing for the Monon Bell trophy, a 300-pound bell from the Monon Railroad. The bell is awarded to the victor. Wabash has taken the bell home 38 times while DePauw has won it 37 times. This year the game will be played Saturday, November 15, 27-miles up the road at Wabash.
Old Gold Weekend
Introduced in 1907 as a one-day event, Old Gold Day was a way to stop the battles between the freshmen and sophomores for possession of the opponent’s flag or the Boulder in front of East College. Today, the weekend includes a football game and crowning of the Old Gold queen and king. During the weekend of Oct. 3, students will see several alumni and parents around campus.
Little 5
In 1956, DePauw bikers raced for the first time in the Little 5 bike race, originally called The Little 500. This race began as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Fund and featured 14 teams of male riders. Now, Little 5 takes place every April and students engage in festivities for the entire week leading up to the three races: the orignal men’s race, the women’s race and an alumni race. This year’s races will take place on Saturday, April 18.
Marvin’s
Marvin Long began serving up and delivering the famous GCB (Garlic Cheeseburger) in 1972. Dine in at 202 South College Ave. or call 765-653-9200 to chow down on the perfect “all-nighter” fix to help you make it through the night.
The Boulder
In 1892 the massive rock, known as The Boulder, was purchased and gifted to DePauw by alumni to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America. The Boulder, formally known as “The Columbian Boulder,” has been known as a place for honorary societies to hold ceremonies or couples to meet for dates. Today, students are often seen baring all and sprinting to the Boulder any night or day of the school year in a tradition derived from Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity’s annual bare-all dash to the Boulder at the first snowfall.