Summer 2008 - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...

Mississippi radio
series CD available
Stories of life on the modern-day Mississippi River
flow off a new CD available from the Oral History
Project. Eighteen La Crosse-area self-proclaimed
River Rats share river tales in the two-disc CD
package, “First Person Wisconsin: Mississippi
Memories II.” Their stories were first told during 13
programs airing on Wisconsin Public Radio station
WLSU in 2006.
“The programs continue to explore the ways in
which the big river shapes the lives and memories of those who work on the river, use it
as a classroom, live on its banks, or find inspiration in its history and ecology,” says
UW-L History Professor Charles Lee.
The double CD package is available for $17.77. To order by credit card contact Paul
Beck, UW-L Special Collections, at 608.785.8511. Or, make a check payable to UW-La
Crosse at: UW-L Oral History Program, 325 Wimberly Hall, 1725 State St., La Crosse
WI 54601.
Growing school spirit
UW-L student athletes have a whole new
army of supporters — the Maroon Platoon.
e new club — open to students, staff and
alumni —caught on last fall when those
signing up received a free maroon T-shirt
with white leering proclaiming
“MAROON PLATOON.” Around 2,000
shirts later, the free supply depleted, but
enthusiasm didn’t.
“e club had a huge impact on student
aendance at athletic events,” says Dave
Johnson, ’92, sports information director.
“At volleyball and football games you could
easily see a sea of maroon T-shirts.”
Head Football Coach Larry Terry, ’77,
proposed the fan club idea last year. He got
the idea from his brother, Steve, who helped
organize UW-Stout’s “Blue Crew” as the
school’s athletic director.
e Maroon Platoon board plans to
continue club activities next season — along
with recruiting new freshmen and others.
Local sports store Games People Play has
added a line of “Maroon Platoon” clothing.
Maroon T-shirts proclaiming “MAROON
PLATOON” above the university’s
athletic logo have been a popular item
on campus. The new club — open to
students, staff and alumni — was set up
as an easy way to support UW-L
athletic teams.
w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g o n c a m p u s
We’ll hang the
lantern …
Ever since English professor O.O. White inaugurated the
homecoming lantern tradition in 1931, a lantern has served
as a beacon for La Crosse alumni. White’s words: “We’ll
hang the lantern in the old college tower … You won’t need
to look for the key — the door will be open.” A lantern hung
above Graff Main Hall’s south stairwell each Homecoming
(as seen in the above picture) until it moved in 1997 to hang
year round in the Hoeschler Clock Tower. The “Hanging of
the Lantern” ceremony continues each Homecoming, along
with the “Lighting of the ‘L’” on Grandad Bluff.
did you know …
… Wisconsin residents can own
license plates with UW-L logos?
Visit www.dot.wisconsin.gov/
drivers/vehicles/personal/special/
universi.htm for details.
u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 • 5