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  • Hobo Day History

    Another Collegian story:

    http://www.sdsucollegian.com/news/20...s-790737.shtml

    Hobo Day history: nightshirts and bums
    By Edward Kearns

    For 92 years, Hobo Day has been the biggest event at SDSU. The tradition came to students only when their original idea did not work out.

    "There was a group that tried to figure out what we could do to bring young men and young women together in a good old college environment," says V.J. Smith, executive director of the SDSU Alumni Association.

    In 1907 the "Nightshirt Parade" was born. No one is sure why the nightshirt theme was selected although it may have been because the parade was held at night.

    The students created a large bonfire on campus, the men dressed in nightshirts and the women draped in sheets. They sang songs, gave speeches and sounded off with new college cheers. After that, they lit torches and lined up behind the band and made their way toward town.

    "They assembled at the depot to give the incoming football team a warm reception, but here they met with the first disappointment of the evening," states the 1909 yearbook. "The Wesleyan eleven was accidentally delayed and did not arrive until the following morning."

    Our Hobo Day tradition would have never come about if the administration had not decided to put an end to the Nightshirt Parade. A 1924 publication of the Industrial Collegian reported that authorities said it was "undignified and unseemly for college women to roam the streets of Brookings draped in sheets."

    According to the book College on the Hill it was student Adam Dutcher who brought the idea of Hobo Day to the college.

    "Dutcher had seen a Hobo Day celebration at the University of Missouri," Amy Dunkle writes. "The event failed there because too many authentic hobos turned out and scared off the college students."

    The then-named South Dakota State College worked with local law enforcement to avoid the same problems on the Brookings campus. In the end, the campus newspaper called Hobo Day a success.

    During the first Hobo Day, men were expected not to shave after Monday morning. There were no classes after 10 a.m., but students were also expected to wear costumes to the first two classes of the day. Men dressed as hobos and women dressed as "fair Indian maids." . . .

    In 1939, Frank Weazel donated a 1912 Model T Ford to the Students' Association. Christened the Bummobile, the car, made the same year as Hobo day began, became one of the most recognized symbols of the tradition.

    Now in it's 92nd year, the tradition has held firm at SDSU. Only twice in its long history has the event been canceled - in 1918 and 1922.

    Hobo Day is truly one of a kind - the only Hobo Day in the country. It has stood the test of time and will likely be a part of this campus for many generations to come.


    Go State, beat Augie! ;D

  • #2
    Re: Hobo Day History

    More Hobo Day facts:

    http://www3.sdstate.edu/athletics/traditions/HoboDay/

    Go Jackrabbits, beat the Vikings! ;D

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    • #3
      Re: Hobo Day History

      Here it the theme for 2004:

      http://www.sdsucollegian.com/news/20...y-790749.shtml

      Parade builds on construction theme Saturday
      By Alicia Brown

      Before the Jacks take on Augustana in the homecoming football game, crowds will line the streets of Brookings for another homecoming tradition at SDSU.

      Students, Brookings residents and SDSU alums can unite in school spirit on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m. for the Hobo Day Parade.

      With the student union under construction until summer, this year's Hobo Day theme is Hobos Under Construction. . . .



      Go State, beat Augie! ;D

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