Traditions
- Hawk Hill: In the early 1920s, when former University president Albert G. Brown, S.J. decided to move the college campus from its location just north of the city at Seventeenth and Stiles to its current site in Overbrook on Philadelphia's west side, he selected the location in part because its hilltop perch overlooking downtown Philadelphia provided a dramatic setting for the construction of the college's main building, Barbelin Hall. In fact, for many years Barbelin's signature carillon tower ranked as the highest point from sea level in the city of Philadelphia. Later, according to oral tradition, students and faculty frequently saw real hawks circling the skies above Barbelin, before swooping down on their prey. The familiar scene eventually led to the coining of the moniker "Hawk Hill".
- Colors: The college colors of crimson and gray date back to the 1890s when it is related that a young seminarian leading a pep rally saw the colors on a book he was holding. Thinking they looked attractive together, he announced that these would be the school colors.
- Fight Songs: "Oh When the Hawks Go Flying In!!" and "Mine Eyes".
- The Hawk Will Never Die: The motto of Saint Joseph's athletics and the University itself. Chanted at basketball games, the mascot demonstrates the motto by flapping its wings the entire game including halftime.
- Free Period: There are no scheduled classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:15 and 1:00 which allows student organizations to meet.
- The Seal: Many students avoid walking on the university seal in Mandeville Hall until their senior year.
- Saint Joseph statue: Students rub the toes of this statue in front of Barbelin Hall for good luck.
- Chapel of St. Joseph/Michael Smith, S.J. Memorial: Being a Jesuit institution, the Chapel is an important and popular place for many students. Mass is celebrated weekly at the University at 11 AM, with 8 PM and 10 PM masses when students are on campus. Mass is also celebrated daily at noon, with other evening worship activities.
- Basketball: A rich and important tradition at a school in a city known for college hoops.
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Famous quotes containing the word traditions:
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—Joseph Addison (1672–1719)
“But generally speaking philistinism presupposes a certain advanced state of civilization where throughout the ages certain traditions have accumulated in a heap and have started to stink.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)