RAT Caps
Every year, a number of freshmen, most notably those in the marching band, wear gold caps known as RAT caps at each football game. RAT is short for Recruit At Tech, although recently the Student Government has begun incorrectly using 'Recently Acquired Tech Students' or 'Recently Acquired Techie.' The RAT caps are decorated with the football team's scores, the freshman's name, hometown, major, expected graduation date, and "To HELL With georgia" emblazoned on the back of the cap. It is important that 'HELL' should be in all capital letters, while 'georgia' should be all lowercase. Students who intend to utilize the cooperative education program circle the top button on the cap, and fill it in once they have completed their involvement.
The tradition began in 1915, and freshmen were required to wear the RAT caps every day until the Thanksgiving weekend game with UGA (if Georgia Tech won) or until end of the school year (if Georgia Tech lost). If Tech did not play UGA that year, freshmen were allowed to stop wearing their caps after a homecoming game victory. If the team lost, then the previously stated rules applied. Freshmen caught not wearing the cap faced varying degrees of hazing, including having their hair shaved into the shape of a letter tee ("T") or a T-Cut. Anti-hazing laws in the 1960s led to the virtual elimination of the tradition, although the use of RAT caps is still actively maintained by the marching band.
The RAT rules enforced by upperclassmen and in particular the Ramblin' Reck Club are presented in the July 17, 1964 edition of the Technique. The rules are listed below:
- A Georgia Tech RAT...
- 1. Will wear a "RAT" cap with proper inscription at all times. It is not mandatory that the "RAT" cap be worn on Sundays.
- 2. Will know the school songs - Ramblin' Wreck, Alma Mater, White & Gold, and all cheers.
- 3. Will attend and participate in all "RAT" sings.
- 4. Will speak to everyone - a Techman is proud of his association with his school and fellow students.
- 5. Will not enter the campus post office between 9:45 and 10:15 A.M. on school days.
- 6. Will not wear high school letters or emblems on the campus.
Read more about this topic: Georgia Tech Traditions/GA1, Traditions
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