Toledo Rockets
Encyclopedia
The Toledo Rockets are the athletic teams that represent the University of Toledo
. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
and play in the Mid-American Conference
(MAC). The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.
Toledo's principal rivals are the Falcons of Bowling Green State University
. The two teams play for a trophy each year known as the Peace Pipe
, a prize that originated in basketball but progressed to football in 1980. The University of Toledo holds the edge in the rivalry (17-15) and have won two straight. This rivalry is sometimes known as "The Battle for I-75" because the cities of Toledo
and Bowling Green
are located just off Interstate 75
and only 20 miles separate the two campuses.
who was working in the press box, to come up with a nickname for his school's team. Despite UT's 32-12 loss, the student labeled the team "Skyrockets," obviously impressed by his alma mater's flashy performance against a superior team. William B. Hook, who started as an unknown substitute guard and ended a hero, grabbed a Carnegie fumble out of the air and raced 99 yards for a touchdown. A sportswriters remarked that Hook looked more like a rocket than a skyrocket as Carnegie Tech players failed to overtake him. Other writers began using the name "Rockets" with quotation marks in their stories, but after one week the quotation marks were dropped and The University of Toledo's nickname remained the Rockets.
.
Then in the fall of 1968, Rocky was taken under the wing of Dan Seemann, Director of Student Activities at the time, and the First Official Rocky the Rocket, Bill Navarre, emerged. Navarre assumed the role at both Toldeo home and away football and basketball games in the Rocky the Rocket costume, which was made by the theatre department seamstress and passed down to him—a wastepaper basket with a pointed rocket top made of papier-mâché.
In the past, Rocky was run through the Student Activities office, but now Rocky is supported by the Athletics Department.
Any student can try out in the spring semester to be Rocky for the following year. A potential Rocky must be fun, committed, good with children, spirited, crazy, and able to communicate through non-verbal methods.
Toledo's mascot can be viewed at various university sponsored events including pep rallies, home and away football games, men and women's basketball games and the Homecoming parade.
Over the years, Rocky's costume has changed many times:
In the early 1970s, Rocky wore a tall metal rocket helmet with many different jumpsuit type outfits, including such items as bell-bottom pants.
In 1977, an authentic spacesuit, helmet, and boots were donated to the university by the NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas with the help of former Ohio astronaut and Senator, John Glenn. The space suit was used for football games, but because of its mass, a lightweight replica was used for the basketball season. Both suits were used until 1980 when Rocky took on a more futuristic look.
Another Rocky costume, which was plush with huge feet, was introduced in 1983, but was only used until 1986 when a big blue plush Rocky with smaller feet was unveiled. Throughout the late 80s and most of the 90s only minor changes were made to Rocky's costume.
In 1998, at the Bowling Green football game, the old Rocky got into a limousine and the new Rocky stepped out and displayed the new blue and gold rocket man Rocky costume, complete with jetpack.
In 2002, an inflatable Rocky the Rocket was unveiled as an addition to the Rocket man Rocky.
In 2008 the Rocketman Rocky and the inflatable Rocky the Rocket were retired, and a new foam Rocketman Rocky arrived on the field of the Glass Bowl on a motorcycle.
In 2011 at the home football opener peprally (Music Fest) Rocksy, the female version of the 2008 Rocky, was introduced as a "community event mascot" that would not attend sporting events.
Finally in 1937, The University of Toledo's football team resided in its permanent home on the University's Bancroft Campus. Construction of the field, which is set in a natural bowl, began in February 1936 as a project of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. The only means of construction were picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows. The original design of the stadium had a seating capacity of 11,000 fans. It now has the capacity to hold 26,248 fans!
The first game in the Rocket's stadium was on September 25, 1937. Grass had not yet been planted around the stadium and there were no walkways to the entrance. Thus, when heavy rainfall deluged the area, mud blocked the gates and the game had to be postponed until the following Monday. The Rockets went on to beat Bluffton College, 26-0.
The Rockets' stadium is known as the "Glass Bowl" in recognition of Toledo's distinction of being the glass capital of the world. The stadium was not named the "Glass Bowl" until renovations in 1946. The origin of the name dates back to 1946 and a man named Wayne Kohn, an employee of the structural engineering department of the Libbey-Owens Ford Glass Co., who suggested an annual Glass Bowl football game to be played in the Rockets' stadium. Three Toledo glass manufacturing companies developed the idea further and with the University sponsored a "Glass Bowl" stadium, which was a renovation of the then current stadium.
The stone structures at the northeast and northwest corners of the Glass Bowl are called Blockhouses. In the past, the Blockhouses were used as a residence for the football players. The Rockets would stay in the west Blockhouse and the visitors would stay in the east Blockhouse.
The Glass Bowl is the second oldest stadium in the Mid-American Conference, behind Ohio University's Peden Stadium. Over the years there have been many renovations made to the Glass Bowl, such as switching from grass to Astroturf in October 1974; building an electronic scoreboard in 1975; adding seats in 1972; again adding seats, a press tower, luxury boxes, and Larimer Athletic Complex in 1990, and switching to NeXturf, an artificial surface carefully modeled after natural grass, in July 2001. The outer wall and Blockhouses are all that remain of the original Glass Bowl Stadium.
The RMB marches in a roll step style popular among various marching units (including Drum Corps. International). While the band operates at all home football games, it is separate from the Athletic Department and is under the College of Arts and Science's Music Department.
Quick Facts about the RMB:
The Cadence is "Funk in the Ottawa."
They march Sousaphones (not convertible tubas)
The uniforms for the RMB are closely resembling that of West Point Cadets, also the RMB has 2 different uniform styles - a Midnight Blue Jacket with the University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band logo on the sleeve and either Blue or White pants.
The RMB is serviced by The Beta Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi
- National Honorary (Service) Band Fraternity.
The Band is currently under the direction of Dr. Jason Stumbo.
Today, every UT student is considered a Rocket Fanatic the minute they enroll at The University of Toledo. Likewise, every former student of The University of Toledo is an Alumni Rocket Fanatic.
The UT Athletics' slogan "SEE YOU AT THE GAME" which was produced by a group called Rocket Pride Campus Wide, has been used since the fall of 2000 and is displayed on the Rocket Fanatic t-shirts that are handed out to thousands of Rockets each year. The shirts are Midnight Blue with "Rocket Fanatics" imprinted on the front and "SEE YOU AT THE GAME" in gold Impact font imprinted on the back.
The Rocket Fanatic shirts are a constant reminder to everyone to support all of our fellow Rockets in their endeavors by attending their games and cheering them on to victory!
Connelly loved to sing, but had never studied music. Apparently, previous fight songs were no longer in use, so he wrote the words for "U of Toledo" and sang the melody to a family friend, Bernie Jones. Jones played it on the piano and put it to music. The tune remained largely unchanged until 1975, when UT associate professor of music David Jex arranged the current version.
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
and play in the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
(MAC). The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.
Toledo's principal rivals are the Falcons of Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
. The two teams play for a trophy each year known as the Peace Pipe
Peace Pipe (college football)
In college football, the Peace Pipe is a trophy awarded annually to the winner of the game between the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University...
, a prize that originated in basketball but progressed to football in 1980. The University of Toledo holds the edge in the rivalry (17-15) and have won two straight. This rivalry is sometimes known as "The Battle for I-75" because the cities of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
and Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green is the county seat of Wood County in the U.S. state of Ohio. At the time of the 2010 census, the population of Bowling Green was 30,028. It is part of the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bowling Green is the home of Bowling Green State University...
are located just off Interstate 75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
and only 20 miles separate the two campuses.
Origin of nickname
When The University of Toledo played the then-powerful Carnegie Institute of Technology in football on September 29, 1923, Pittsburgh sports writers were surprised to learn that UT did not have a nickname. Though an underdog, Toledo fought formidably, recovering a series of embarrassing fumbles by favored Tech. Pittsburgh writers pressed James E. Neal (1904–1983), a UT junior pharmacy student and writer for The Campus CollegianThe Independent Collegian
The Independent Collegian is an independent student newspaper published in Toledo, Ohio, serving the University of Toledo community. It is published bi-weekly, each Monday and Thursday.- Early history :...
who was working in the press box, to come up with a nickname for his school's team. Despite UT's 32-12 loss, the student labeled the team "Skyrockets," obviously impressed by his alma mater's flashy performance against a superior team. William B. Hook, who started as an unknown substitute guard and ended a hero, grabbed a Carnegie fumble out of the air and raced 99 yards for a touchdown. A sportswriters remarked that Hook looked more like a rocket than a skyrocket as Carnegie Tech players failed to overtake him. Other writers began using the name "Rockets" with quotation marks in their stories, but after one week the quotation marks were dropped and The University of Toledo's nickname remained the Rockets.
The Rivalry
The Bowling Green State University Falcons have been The University of Toledo Rocket’s biggest rival dating back to 1919. In 1935, UT rocketed past the Falcons in a 63-0 blowout and the fans went crazy causing an outbreak of riots. As a result, Bowling Green removed Toledo from their athletic play list until 1947. When the Rockets resumed play against Bowling Green, the Peace Pipe was instated as a basketball award. There allegedly used to be a ceremony involving journalistic organizations from the University of Toledo and Bowling Green at halftime of one of the UT-BG basketball games every year. Representatives from each school’s newspaper smoked a six-foot peace pipe, carved from wood with the winning school keeping the pipe until the renewal of the tradition the following basketball season. Unfortunately in 1969, the tradition came to an abrupt end when an unidentified person stole the pipe from its resting-place in the Collegian office. The thief was never caught, nor was the pipe ever recovered. The tradition was reinstated in 1980 for football with a miniature peace pipe replica resting atop a trophy created by Frank Kralik, former UT football player, as an award for the winner of the annual gridiron battle between Toledo and Bowling Green.Other sports
Among other sports, Toledo consistently fields strong distance running teams; Brianna Shook '04, who is also an assistant track coach at the school, holds the American record for the steeplechaseSteeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
.
Rocky the Rocket
Rocky the Rocket, The University of Toledo's mascot, was created in the 1966–67 academic year by the Spirits and Traditions committee, an appendage of student government, with various students being chosen to dressing up for a couple different games.Then in the fall of 1968, Rocky was taken under the wing of Dan Seemann, Director of Student Activities at the time, and the First Official Rocky the Rocket, Bill Navarre, emerged. Navarre assumed the role at both Toldeo home and away football and basketball games in the Rocky the Rocket costume, which was made by the theatre department seamstress and passed down to him—a wastepaper basket with a pointed rocket top made of papier-mâché.
In the past, Rocky was run through the Student Activities office, but now Rocky is supported by the Athletics Department.
Any student can try out in the spring semester to be Rocky for the following year. A potential Rocky must be fun, committed, good with children, spirited, crazy, and able to communicate through non-verbal methods.
Toledo's mascot can be viewed at various university sponsored events including pep rallies, home and away football games, men and women's basketball games and the Homecoming parade.
Over the years, Rocky's costume has changed many times:
In the early 1970s, Rocky wore a tall metal rocket helmet with many different jumpsuit type outfits, including such items as bell-bottom pants.
In 1977, an authentic spacesuit, helmet, and boots were donated to the university by the NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas with the help of former Ohio astronaut and Senator, John Glenn. The space suit was used for football games, but because of its mass, a lightweight replica was used for the basketball season. Both suits were used until 1980 when Rocky took on a more futuristic look.
Another Rocky costume, which was plush with huge feet, was introduced in 1983, but was only used until 1986 when a big blue plush Rocky with smaller feet was unveiled. Throughout the late 80s and most of the 90s only minor changes were made to Rocky's costume.
In 1998, at the Bowling Green football game, the old Rocky got into a limousine and the new Rocky stepped out and displayed the new blue and gold rocket man Rocky costume, complete with jetpack.
In 2002, an inflatable Rocky the Rocket was unveiled as an addition to the Rocket man Rocky.
In 2008 the Rocketman Rocky and the inflatable Rocky the Rocket were retired, and a new foam Rocketman Rocky arrived on the field of the Glass Bowl on a motorcycle.
In 2011 at the home football opener peprally (Music Fest) Rocksy, the female version of the 2008 Rocky, was introduced as a "community event mascot" that would not attend sporting events.
The Glass Bowl
Football at The University of Toledo started in 1917 with an upsetting 145 to 0 loss to The University of Detroit. They finished off that season 0-3, being out scored by their opponents 262-0. For twenty years, UT football teams were moved from one stadium to another including Armory Park, Waite Bowl, the Nebraska Avenue grounds, St. John's field, Swayne Field and Libbey Stadium.Finally in 1937, The University of Toledo's football team resided in its permanent home on the University's Bancroft Campus. Construction of the field, which is set in a natural bowl, began in February 1936 as a project of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. The only means of construction were picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows. The original design of the stadium had a seating capacity of 11,000 fans. It now has the capacity to hold 26,248 fans!
The first game in the Rocket's stadium was on September 25, 1937. Grass had not yet been planted around the stadium and there were no walkways to the entrance. Thus, when heavy rainfall deluged the area, mud blocked the gates and the game had to be postponed until the following Monday. The Rockets went on to beat Bluffton College, 26-0.
The Rockets' stadium is known as the "Glass Bowl" in recognition of Toledo's distinction of being the glass capital of the world. The stadium was not named the "Glass Bowl" until renovations in 1946. The origin of the name dates back to 1946 and a man named Wayne Kohn, an employee of the structural engineering department of the Libbey-Owens Ford Glass Co., who suggested an annual Glass Bowl football game to be played in the Rockets' stadium. Three Toledo glass manufacturing companies developed the idea further and with the University sponsored a "Glass Bowl" stadium, which was a renovation of the then current stadium.
The stone structures at the northeast and northwest corners of the Glass Bowl are called Blockhouses. In the past, the Blockhouses were used as a residence for the football players. The Rockets would stay in the west Blockhouse and the visitors would stay in the east Blockhouse.
The Glass Bowl is the second oldest stadium in the Mid-American Conference, behind Ohio University's Peden Stadium. Over the years there have been many renovations made to the Glass Bowl, such as switching from grass to Astroturf in October 1974; building an electronic scoreboard in 1975; adding seats in 1972; again adding seats, a press tower, luxury boxes, and Larimer Athletic Complex in 1990, and switching to NeXturf, an artificial surface carefully modeled after natural grass, in July 2001. The outer wall and Blockhouses are all that remain of the original Glass Bowl Stadium.
Savage Arena
Formerly known as Savage Hall, John F. Savage Hall is much more than just UT's 9,000-seat basketball arena. Savage Hall is a multi-purpose building that is used for recreation, concerts and other special events, such as graduation. The arena built in 1976 was originally named Centennial Hall. The hall was renamed John F. Savage Hall on July 13, 1988, in honor of the 1952 UT graduate and strong university booster, John Savage, who was instrumental in the campaign to raise funds for the arena. Prior to the construction of Savage Hall, basketball games were played at the Field House, the second oldest building on campus. The inaugural men's basketball game played in Centennial Hall was against the Indiana Hoosiers, who were the national champions the year before, ranked #1 nationally, and on a 33 game winning streak. The hall was packed with over 10,000 fans who came to see the Rockets end the Hoosiers winning streak by a very close score of 59-57. The hall has also hosted many musical acts over the years including Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Pearl Jam, Cher, Bush, Matchbox 20, Elton John, Goo Goo Dolls, Sheryl Crow, Boys II Men, Destiny's Child, Dave Matthew's Band, Barenaked Ladies, and Elvis. Recently the hall was renovated and re-named John F. Savage Arena. On the inaugural game the Rockets beat University of Massachusetts in a game-winning buzzer-beater to put Toledo in the lead with a final score of 57-56.Rocket Marching Band
The University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band (RMB) is one of the largest, oldest, and most visible student groups on campus. With approximately 160 members (majoring in Anthropology to Zoology) including musicians, color guard, Dancing Rockettes, and a feature twirler, the marching band is a positive source of pride and school spirit for the campus, as well as the city of Toledo.The RMB marches in a roll step style popular among various marching units (including Drum Corps. International). While the band operates at all home football games, it is separate from the Athletic Department and is under the College of Arts and Science's Music Department.
Quick Facts about the RMB:
The Cadence is "Funk in the Ottawa."
They march Sousaphones (not convertible tubas)
The uniforms for the RMB are closely resembling that of West Point Cadets, also the RMB has 2 different uniform styles - a Midnight Blue Jacket with the University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band logo on the sleeve and either Blue or White pants.
The RMB is serviced by The Beta Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternity for college and university band members. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. William Scroggs, now regarded as the "Founder," together with "Mr. Kappa Kappa Psi" A...
- National Honorary (Service) Band Fraternity.
The Band is currently under the direction of Dr. Jason Stumbo.
Rockettes
The University of Toledo Dancing Rockettes were the first recognized collegiate dance team in the nation. Through athleticism, pride, and overall commitment to excellence, the University of Toledo's dance team continues to carry out this long-standing tradition.Blue Crew
Blue Crew is a secret society of spirited individuals who represent the pride inside of every Rocket. This crazy 10-member organization consisting of UT students is fully dedicated to instituting, reviving, and maintaining The University of Toledo's Traditions. Each member is hidden under an assumed identity and name. The members are only revealed at the end of the season of their graduating year or after they have faithfully served in the position for four full semesters. Blue Crew travels to all home and away football games as well as both men and women's basketball games dressed in blue and yellow Afro wigs, gold masks, painters overalls (decorated individually by each member), and Converse All-Stars shoes.Rocket Fanatics
Gregg Dodd started the Rocket Fanatics in 1995, but unfortunately his organization never became official. The Rocket Fanatics organization, advised by Dave Nottke of Athletics Department, was formed to support athletics at The University of Toledo by increasing student spirit, pride, attendance and participation.Today, every UT student is considered a Rocket Fanatic the minute they enroll at The University of Toledo. Likewise, every former student of The University of Toledo is an Alumni Rocket Fanatic.
The UT Athletics' slogan "SEE YOU AT THE GAME" which was produced by a group called Rocket Pride Campus Wide, has been used since the fall of 2000 and is displayed on the Rocket Fanatic t-shirts that are handed out to thousands of Rockets each year. The shirts are Midnight Blue with "Rocket Fanatics" imprinted on the front and "SEE YOU AT THE GAME" in gold Impact font imprinted on the back.
The Rocket Fanatic shirts are a constant reminder to everyone to support all of our fellow Rockets in their endeavors by attending their games and cheering them on to victory!
Fight Song
Dave Connelly, UT athletic director and baseball coach through the 1930s and 1940s, wrote "U of Toledo" in 1932. Connelly also coached football, track, and boxing. He joined the UT faculty as a professor in 1926, where he remained until his death in 1955.Connelly loved to sing, but had never studied music. Apparently, previous fight songs were no longer in use, so he wrote the words for "U of Toledo" and sang the melody to a family friend, Bernie Jones. Jones played it on the piano and put it to music. The tune remained largely unchanged until 1975, when UT associate professor of music David Jex arranged the current version.