When you hear the word 'tradition,' you may think of something that's old, long-established or passed down from several generations. While UMKC has a rich history that dates back to 1929 – with many traditions created along the way – we are proud to establish and introduce new traditions as we embark on an era of unbreakable school spirit and pride.
Having a fight song is vital for students, 球迷, 校友 and community members to showcase school pride. What's unique about our fight song is that although it was newly established in 2018, it is thought to have been created before 1963.
As part of an effort to reignite school spirit and standing traditions, our UMKC pg电子 Department collaborated with several offices around campus and dug into the University archive. What they discovered was a non-dated version of the Kansas City University fight song, 题为“Kangarooters."
Although the "Kangarooters" instrumental version is different from the current fight song melody, pg电子 used these lyrics as a starting point and inspirtation for the creation of the new fight song. The newly enhanced fight song will be a mainstay at all home athletics events from now in to the future.
“去袋鼠
Fighting for the gold and blue
赢得袋鼠
To Kansas City always true
Onward, forward, upward rising
Loyal through and through
Stand up and show pride for your Kangaroos
GO! 战斗! 赢得! 鲁斯!
GO! 战斗! 赢得! 鲁斯!
去袋鼠
Fighting for the gold and blue
赢得袋鼠
To Kansas City always true
Onward, forward, upward rising
Loyal through and through
Stand up and show pride for your Kangaroos"
Our alma mater was written by brothers Vincent and Edwin Robbins, and Bill Hathaway and introduced first to the Men's Glee Club back in 1940. In tandem with our newly established fight song, the UMKC Alma Mater will be sung at all UMKC home sporting events to bring all members of the Roo family together in a spirited embrace.
"From blue Midwestern sky
太阳像金子一样闪耀
Proud place where dreams are
构建的记忆会展开
As with those who've gone before
我们会永远在一起
Singing to the blue and gold of UMKC"
Back when UMKC was still establishing itself as the University of Kansas City, 或UKC, the students were busy working to establish a new identity. In 1934, the student council named "old gold and royal blue" the official school colors, 至今仍然存在. Blue is a symbol for trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith and truth. Gold represents honor and loyalty.
然后, in 1937, before an athletics department was even established, Kasey the Kangaroo – who we still know and love today – became the official mascot of UKC. But what makes him so magical?
It has a little something to do with the magic-maker himself, 华特迪士尼, who actually drafted the original version of Kasey. Although our mascot has evolved over time, you can still catch our 'Classic Roo' on t-shirts, 海报, and other memorabilia around campus.
A newly adopted tradition in 2018 is the UMKC hand sign, which means #RooUp. It's created by holding the index and pinky fingers up – portraying the ears of a Kangaroo – and meeting the ring finger, middle finger and thumb in front – portraying the nose of a Kangaroo.
You'll see #RooUp displayed all over campus and at sporting events to showcase our incredible Roo pride.
Roo Nation pulls out all the stops during our long-standing tradition known as Founders' Week. Formerly called 首页coming, Founders' Week is a week-long celebration during the last week in October for students, 教师, 工作人员, 校友, families and the community to commemorate the university's anniversary.
Events and activities are hosted on our two campuses and throughout the Kansas City community – everything from 校友 concerts, 体育游戏, art exhibits and trivia nights to haunted campus tours, 演讲者, volunteer events and the annual Regalia Run.
Want to learn more about UMKC's unique and rich history? Discover how it all started and how we grew to become the UMKC you know and love today.