Page 218 - Toledo Football Media Guide - 2012

THE UNIVERSITY 219

was fred fromfeld level until itwasmoved to the east balcony of the Larimer Building for safety reasons. In 2009 the cannon returned to its original position on the east tower.

Blasts are fred at the beginning of each home game, at the end of each half, and after every Rocket score.

The Rocket

In 1961, the University of Toledo procured a genuine Nike-Ajax missile from the U.S. Army missile program. Simply known as “The Rocket,” it was placed behind the crossbar of the north end goalpost, where the Larimer Athletic Complex resides today. During the renovation in 1989-90, the Rocket wasmoved to its present day position on the northeast corner of the Glass Bowl, just outside of the wall. The one-ton Rocket carries two sets of fns and a propellant boost capable of guid-ing the missile to supersonic velocity. In 2004, the rocket was refurbished and painted midnight blue and gold.

Legend has it that the rocket’s trajectory is pointed toward Bowling Green StateUniversity,25miles south. If the Rocket were to be lit, it is said, it wouldblast of and land directly on the 50-yard line of the Falcons’ Doyt Perry football stadium.

The Spirit Rock

In 1968, Nicholson ConcreteandSupplyCo. donated an eight-ton rock to the University of Toledo as a symbol

of the spirit of its student body. The Spirit Rock was originally located on the grass between the William S. Carlson Library and the Student Union. The large rockmarked the fnal resting place of the old Bancroft High image of UT. The original Spirit Rock was moved by the university in order to make room for

the Student Union expansion, and now resides by the pond at Scott Park Campus.

The current Spirit Rock on main campus was donated to the university in 1997 and placed in the Flatlands. Over the years, the rock has been a site for many Rocket pep rallies. The Spirit Rock has been tarred and feathered, burnt, and painted hundreds of times, but it is tradition to paint it only during twilight hours.

The I-75 Rivalry

Among Toledo football players of any era, it’s known simply as “BG Week,” the week of preparation leading up to the annual Toledo-Bowling Green football game, considered bymost observers as the greatest rivalry in theMid-American Conference. Just 20 mi les of highway on I-75 separate the two universities, creat-ing a familiarity that fuels the rivalry. The origin of the emo-tional nature of the rivalry has its roots in legend. Following a 63-0 Rocket blow-out in 1935, Bowling Green declined to continue playing UT, effectively ending the rivalry. Bowling

Green ofcials reportedly ended the rivalry because of the unruly behavior of jubilant UT fans following the outcome of the game; UT faithful claimed the decision had more to do with the fnal score.

In any case, the rivalry resumed in 1948 and this time the Falcons pulled of a 21-6 victory in their frst-ever appearance in the Glass Bowl. Bowling Green leads the all-time series, 39-33-4, though UT is 11-6 over the last 17 seasons.

From 1980-2010, the trophy that traded hands between Toledo and BowlingGreenwas referred to as“The Peace Pipe.” Beginning in 2011, the schools retired the trophy indeference toNativeAmericanculture, andbeganusingthe“Battleof I-75” trophy, a massive bronze and granite sculture weighing well over 100 pounds.

The Marching Band

The Rocket Marching Band is dedicated to excellence in performance, as well as the musical and social enrichment of its members. The Rocket Marching Band provides quality en-tertainment and spirit promotion at UT functions and athletic events. In addition, the band has appeared at professional football games, college bowl games and many high school marching band festivals.

Thebandconsistsof students fromlargecities, small towns

letic Traditions

PaintingtheSpiritRockbeforea big game is a UT tradition.

The Rocket was completely refurbished in 2004.

The Battle of I-75 Trophy