What is your favorite Tommie Tradition
School Colors: Purple and gray have been the St. Thomas colors for at least a century. Freshmen were required to wear these stylish beanies until the 1960s.
The Quad: When the weather’s nice, the quad will entice.
River Raft Races: Raft racing was a homecoming tradition for 18 years. And yes, the water was cold. Students tried to maneuver their handmade vessels from the Franklin Bridge to the Lake Street Bridge
Homecoming: A bonfire, The Ugly Man contest, beer-keg rolling contest and raft races are no longer part of homecoming festivities. Today's events? Parade, Taste of Saints, and football.
The Arches: St. Thomas Aquinas, ensconced on the Arches, has witnessed many unusual happenings over the years, including two traditions: driving cars through the Arches and kissing under them.
St. Thomas Day: This event began in 1917 on St. Thomas Aquinas’ feast day. Attendance used to be mandatory. The Tommie Award has been presented since 1931.
Senior Banquet: The Junior Class Banquet, held in the basement of the old Administration Building, was later named the Senior Banquet (1908).
Tommies vs Johnnies Football: The games make your heart race. The victories make you proud. The losses make you miserable. The T-shirts make you blush.
The Aquin: The student newspaper began in 1933. The last issue rolled of the press in May 2009. It has been replaced by TommieMedia.com, a daily Web-based news source.
Teeter-Totter Marathon: Ireland Hall has hosted this marathon almost annually since 1990 to raise money for the Tubman Family Alliance, which offers services to victims of domestic abuse.
Lavin Burgers: Named for Monsignor James Lavin, whose tradition of serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to generations of students in Ireland Hall continues today.
The Grill: The Grill has been the home of burgers, fries and conversations for 50 years. The Grill as we know it will go away with the opening of the new Anderson Student Center in the winter of 2012.
Local Hangouts: Where was your local haunt? Davanni’s (aka Pontillos), Groveland Tap (aka BB Dixon, King and I, The Palms), O’Garas, Plums (aka La Nasas, McIns), Tiffany’s, Filbert’s, and more
Mid-Winter Week: Queens were crowned and massive snow sculptures adorned the quad. Competing with the River Raft Race for top Tommie goofiness honors was the annual sun-bathing competition. Brrr.
Bobby Knight Chair-Throwing Contest: Referees didn’t want to mess with Wendy Krueger, a feisty contestant in the Bobby Knight Chair-throwing Contest in 1992.
Tommie Mascots: It’s a friendly, fuzzy creature with big teeth. So far, it hasn’t bitten anyone; Tommie’s specialties are high fives and hugs.
Ireland-Dowling Snowball Fight: Hey, you could put your eye out with that thing. This longstanding Tommie tradition has evolved into the Ireland-Brady snowball fight.
Dances and Concerts: Dances, formal or not, have been held all over campus but one popular spot was the long-gone Armory, located where the new Anderson Athletic Complex is under construction.
Commencement: You might not remember attending your first class as a Tommie, but chances are you carry a special memory of your graduation day.
ROTC 24-Hour Vigil: Slowly, silently and reverently, members of the St. Thomas Air Force ROTC program march past the lower quad flagpole in their annual 24-hour Veteran’s Day vigil.
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