Origin of "Red!" during national anthem?

[Sydney Reade]

Hey Cornell alums!

I am writing a research paper on the origins of some of the hockey traditions. Anyone know/remember when and why we started shouting "Red!" during the national anthem when we reach the appropriate lyric? Any help is much appreciated.

SR '15

[Roy 82]

Hey Cornell alums!

I am writing a research paper on the origins of some of the hockey traditions. Anyone know/remember when and why we started shouting "Red!" during the national anthem when we reach the appropriate lyric? Any help is much appreciated.

SR '15

Don't know the answer (I would go with Jeff Hopkins or the Bolshevik revolution) but I clearly heard "Red!" at the NCAA Championship Game.

[Trotsky]

I have a feeling the first time I heard it was in the early 90s, and remember thinking, "Well, that's obvious -- why didn't we ever do that?"  I'm pretty sure we never did it when I was an undergrad (through 86).

I cannot remember whether Clarkson did it first.  I know RPI and Union copied.

[tominvb]

I heard it in Lincoln at a Nebraska football game.

TS

[RichH]

I have a feeling the first time I heard it was in the early 90s, and remember thinking, "Well, that's obvious -- why didn't we ever do that?"  I'm pretty sure we never did it when I was an undergrad (through 86).

It was established enough to be included in the Cornell-produced "student handbook" publication I was given in Fall 1992 (my freshman year), and it was being done at all sporting events I attended.

There was a cover article on the history of the building and fans in the Cornell Alumni Magazine (Jan/Feb '93, Volume 95, Issue 6) that features a neat little timeline of approximate years certain cheers appeared/evolved. I wouldn't treat it as gospel, since it got Mike Schafer's graduation year wrong, but it's pretty interesting.  I'm happy to have found it, but unfortunately for this thread, there's no mention of the "RED!" thing.

In several visiting rinks, old, salty fans would come up to our section and scold us for being so disrespectful. I would point out that we proudly sang every word of the anthem, while the home fans would be chatting away, not paying much attention at all.

[RichH]

I've noticed that fans of the Washington Capitals are doing the "RED" now, and regionally, the Orioles fans will also bring their "O!" to any event.

A list, then, from a googling session:

"O!" -- Orioles (started in the '70s)

say can "U!" see -- Union (I have heard "U C!!" in the past)

"WHOSE!" broad stripes -- UVa ("Hoos" )

and bright "STARS!" -- Dallas Stars

And the "ROCKETS!" -- A small group of Houston Rocket fans called the Red Rowdies

"RED!" glare  -- Cornell Big Red, RPI, Washington Caps, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Nebraska, probably more

proof through the "NIGHT!" -- Clarkson, Atlanta Thrashers (for Atlanta Knights)

"O!!" say ..  -- Orioles, and Duke somehow.

and the home of the "xxxxx!"  -- Atlanta Braves, University of North Dakota, KC Chiefs, probably dozens more.


------------

Canada: "TRUE NORTH!" -- Winnipeg Jets (for the ownership group, True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd)

[Chris '03]

No mention of Vermont? "Rock CATS red glare"

Unless I'm misremembering them trying to get ahead of the "red"

[ACM]

This history of the Clarkson pep band implies that Cornell fans were shouting "Red!" during the anthem at least as far back as the 1991-92 season. (Look for the "Final Four at Lake State ('91-'92)" link.)

[Trotsky]

There was a cover article on the history of the building and fans in the Cornell Alumni Magazine (Jan/Feb '93, Volume 95, Issue 6) that features a neat little timeline of approximate years certain cheers appeared/evolved. I wouldn't treat it as gospel, since it got Mike Schafer's graduation year wrong, but it's pretty interesting.

I think I recall somebody researching that by asking people on hockey-l.  I believe we have reached a mobius strip.

[Scersk '97]

This history of the Clarkson pep band implies that Cornell fans were shouting "Red!" during the anthem at least as far back as the 1991-92 season. (Look for the "Final Four at Lake State ('91-'92)" link.)

Although marked as '91–'92, the Lake State trip being recalled by that particular author was actually in '90–'91...

"Fuzzy Memories" (to the tune of "Tiny Bubbles" )!

[Beeeej]

I'll narrow it down a little further between Greg's and Rich's recollections; I'm roughly 95% certain that we weren't doing it when I started attending games in November, 1987, and that we were doing it by either the Boston Garden semifinal loss to RPI in 1990 or the Boston Garden semifinal loss to SLU in 1991.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

[Sydney Reade]

Thank you all, you've been a great help!

[David Harding]

Hey Cornell alums!

I am writing a research paper on the origins of some of the hockey traditions. Anyone know/remember when and why we started shouting "Red!" during the national anthem when we reach the appropriate lyric? Any help is much appreciated.

SR '15

Nothing to to do with the origins of the cheer, but my favorite related memory is from the first MSG game against BU in 2007.  They brought in a mercenary trumpeter (a famous name from some late night TV show, IIRC) to play the Star Spangled Banner.  He apparently hadn't gotten the scouting report and nearly dropped his trumpet when we blasted him with "RED".

[billhoward]

Hey Cornell alums! I am writing a research paper on the origins of some of the hockey traditions. Anyone know/remember when and why we started shouting "Red!" during the national anthem when we reach the appropriate lyric? Any help is much appreciated. SR '15

This must be a good course to be in.

[Jim Hyla]

Hey Cornell alums!

I am writing a research paper on the origins of some of the hockey traditions. Anyone know/remember when and why we started shouting "Red!" during the national anthem when we reach the appropriate lyric? Any help is much appreciated.

SR '15

Once it's done, please provide a link to your paper.:-)