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UNT University of North Texas

Spirit and Traditions

Homecoming photo

Events

(See also Calendar of Events.)

Eagle Camp

Not to be confused with orientation, Eagle Camp is the next step in a smooth transition to UNT. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, learn UNT traditions and enter your first year of college with confidence feeling like a part of the UNT FAMILY!

Mean Green Fling

UNT hosted its first Mean Green Fling in 1998. The event is the official kick off to Welcome Week. Mean Green Fling includes an organization mart to introduce students to student organizations, UNT services and resources and vendors from the Denton community. The event also includes live music, free food, games and other fun activities.

Welcome Week

The first full week of the fall semester filled with daily activities and evening events. During this week organizations are showcased and departments host events to encourage students to "Get Involved!"

Homecoming Spirit March and Bonfire

The tradition of the Homecoming bonfire began in the 30's. Members of the Talons spirit organization build the fire, which is lit the Friday night of Homecoming at the Eagle Point Campus. The Spirit March and the "Yell Like Hell" Competition are new additions to the Bonfire.

Homecoming Parade

Held the morning of the Homecoming game, the parade includes floats made by students, faculty, staff and alumni. The route runs from campus to downtown Denton, around the square and winning entries end at Fouts Field.

Mean Green Village

During Homecoming, various student organizations, departments, and vendors set up tents near Fouts Field before home football games. It'"s tailgating on a whole new level!

Flight Memorial

This event occurs at Shrader Pavilion during the spring semester and honors the students, faculty/staff, and alumni that have passed away throughout the year.

Honors Day

Outstanding students, faculty and staff are recognized in an afternoon ceremony that often includes alumni as guest speakers.

Symbols

To view the Symbols photo album, click here.

Colors

Chosen in 1922, the school colors are Emerald Green and White.

The University Seal

The symbols that comprise the university's seal are a laurel wreath, a five-pointed star and a burning lamp. The laurel wreath represents honor, one of the core values of the university. The five-pointed star represents the university's Texas heritage and is similar to the star used in the state seal. The lamp represents knowledge and learning, demonstrating the commitment UNT has to enlightenment.

Scrappy, The Eagle Mascot

Students in a 1922 campus election chose the eagle over the dragon and lion as the college's mascot. In the '60s, a costumed Scrappy began appearing at games and other events. The mascot was renamed Eppy in 1974 by students who thought the name "Scrappy" was too warlike. However, Scrappy was reborn in 1995, when students decided the first name was better.

Eagle Claw

The eagle hand sign is our universal sign of pride and unity. Curl the thumb and index and middle fingers forward. The ring and pinkie fingers stay closed against the palm.

Lighting the McConnell Tower

After a victory by a UNT athletic team, special green floodlights bathe the Administration Building clock tower to signal the victory to the campus and community.

Boomer, The Victory Cannon

The tradition of firing the cannon began in 1970. The modern cannon is a scale replica of a Civil War model and is managed by the Talons. Boomer is fired at special campus events and at football games to signal touchdowns.

Model A

The 1929 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan (dubbed "the Green Machine") is driven at home football games, parades and other special occasions by the Talons spirit group. The vehicle was donated to UNT by an alumnus in 1974.

Curfew and Spirit Bell

The Spirit Bell was brought to Denton from Michigan in 1891. It was used to signal class changes and evening curfew. The 2,000-pound bell served as a sound of victory for many years until a crack was found within. The Talons dedicated the original bell to the university in 1982, and it was placed in the University Union across from the One O"clock Lounge. Though smaller, the bell's successor can be heard at any home football game ringing with pride along with major campus events and at football games to signal touchdowns.

Songs

Alma Mater

Julia Smith, who played saxophone in the college band, composed the alma mater, which was adopted in 1922. Her tune written in 1919, "Glory to the Green and White," features lyrics by Charles Langford.

Glory to the Green & White

Singing glory to the green,
Singing glory to the white,
For we know our university is
striving for the right,
Down the corridor of years,
We'll forget the joys and tears,
But North Texas, North Texas,
We love!

Fight Song

Alumnus Francis Stroup wrote the fight song, "Fight, North Texas," in 1939 after the university held a fight song contest. He helped revise the lyrics after the name of the school changed to the University of North Texas.

UNT Fight Song

Let's give a cheer for U of NT...;
Cheer for the Green and White!
Victory's in store, whate'er the score,
Our teams will ever fight, fight, fight!
Shoulder to shoulder we march along,
Striving for victory.
Playing the game for the honor
and fame and glory of UNT!
U...N...T....Eagles! U-N-T Eagles,
Fight! Fight! Fight!