print article Print     e-mail photogallery E-mail
Published October 01, 2012, 12:00 AM

BACK IN TIME: Blue and White Days origins


These early Blue and White Day photos were taken from the south side of the Dakota Wesleyan University campus, looking north toward Mitchell. Behind the senior and sophomore girls’ band are Science Hall to the left and College Hall to the right. DWU’s first Blue and White Day, held Oct. 18, 1913, bore little resemblance to DWU’s presentday homecoming week, Sep. 30 through Oct. 7. Also called “Class Day” and “College Day,” the first Blue and White Day was created by then-President William G. Seaman in an effort to end the “class scraps” between the college classes — particularly the freshmen and sophomores — which were increasingly bitter and sometimes resulted in injury. (DWU Archives photo)

  • These early Blue and White Day photos were taken from the south side of the Dakota Wesleyan University campus, looking north toward Mitchell. Behind the senior and sophomore girls’ band are Science Hall to the left and College Hall to the right. DWU’s first Blue and White Day, held Oct. 18, 1913, bore little resemblance to DWU’s presentday homecoming week, Sep. 30 through Oct. 7. Also called “Class Day” and “College Day,” the first Blue and White Day was created by then-President William G. Seaman in an effort to end the “class scraps” between the college classes — particularly the freshmen and sophomores — which were increasingly bitter and sometimes resulted in injury. (DWU Archives photo)
  • The obstacle race between the sophomore class president and freshman class president was part of early Blue and White Day at Dakota Wesleyan university. The only football game that year was between the freshmen and sophomores. Other events included a basketball game between the juniors and seniors, a cane rush between the classes in DWU’s preparatory school (high school), and class stunts performed in the chapel that evening. In succeeding years, other events were added, including an all-student snake dance, obstacle race, the popular tug-of-war, and musical entertainment. Intercollegiate football was added in 1916. In the 1920s, alumni were invited home, and Blue and White Day became homecoming. (DWU Archives photo)