Table of Contents
Who designed the Jayhawk logo?
Harold “Hal” Sandy
The smiling Jayhawk originally drawn by Harold “Hal” Sandy in the mid-1940s is perhaps KU’s most recognizable symbol. It may also rank as one of the University’s wisest investments.
Which way does the Jayhawk face?

The white color appeared on the Kansas Jayhawks visual identity in 1941. The bird, facing left, was refined and drawn with more details, having two white “KU” letters on its blue jersey. The beak of the Jayhawk was now a bit opened, creating a visual sense of smile and making the whole image friendly and welcoming.
What were red legs?
The Red Legs were a somewhat secretive organization of about 50 to 100 ardent abolitionists who were hand selected for harsh duties along the border. Membership in the group was fluid and some of the men went on to serve in the 7th Kansas Cavalry or other regular army commands and state militias.
What does a Jayhawk represent?
But no matter about the origin of this mythical creature, about its uncertain history, about its early use by people whose actions were sometimes questionable; today “Jayhawk” embodies the Kansas spirit, the University spirit of unity, loyalty, honesty and right living. Rock Chalk, Jay Hawk K.U.
Who were the Jayhawkers in Kansas?
Jayhawkers is a term that came into use just before the American Civil War in Bleeding Kansas. It was adopted by militant bands of Free-Staters. These bands, known as “Jayhawkers”, were guerrilla fighters who often clashed with pro-slavery groups from Missouri known at the time as “Border Ruffians”.

Where did the name Jayhawks come from?
Its origin is rooted in the historic struggles of Kansas settlers. The term “Jayhawk” was probably coined about 1848. Accounts of its use appeared from Illinois to Texas. The name combines two birds-the blue jay, a noisy, quarrelsome thing known to rob nests, and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter.
What did jayhawkers do?
Charles R. Jennison led the “Independent Mounted Kansas Jayhawkers,” also known as the Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, into Jackson County, where they sustained themselves by looting and stealing from Missourians, indiscriminate of their loyalty to the Union or opinions on slavery.
What does wave the wheat mean?
Jayhawks lift their arms above their heads, swaying. them back and forth to look like a Kansas wheat field. Waving the wheat is a tradition that shows our Kansas. pride.
What was the first KU homecoming theme?
Songs of Victory.
In 1956 KU introduced Homecoming themes. The first official theme was “Songs of Victory.” At the time, the theme was incorporated into lawn decorations created by fraternities, sororities and residence halls.
What does Rock Chalk at KU mean?
Bailey and his colleagues came up with ‘Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, Go KU,’ repeated three times, which later became “Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU.” “By 1889, ‘Rock Chalk’—a transposition of chalk rock, a type of limestone, that exists on Mount Oread, where the University is located—later replaced the two ‘rahs.’” Read more.
What did Jayhawkers do during the Civil War?
Jennison led the “Independent Mounted Kansas Jayhawkers,” also known as the Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, into Jackson County, where they sustained themselves by looting and stealing from Missourians, indiscriminate of their loyalty to the Union or opinions on slavery.
Who did the Jayhawkers fight?
What were the original Jayhawks?
What was a jayhawker during the Civil War?
When the Civil War began, these vigilante units mustered into the federal army and became formally recognized Union regiments calling themselves “Jayhawkers.” Some men who enlisted in the jayhawker outfits were sincere abolitionists, some were devout Unionist and brave soldiers defending their homeland, and others were …
Who were the original Jayhawks?
From jayhawkers to Jayhawks: The 1890 University of Kansas football team was known as the “Jayhawkers,” but later the university shortened its sports name to simply “Jayhawks.” By the 1910s, the Jayhawk had become synonomous with a mythical bird; nonetheless, the historical connections are undeniable.
Why does Kansas say Rock Chalk?
Bailey. At first, their version was “Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KU” repeated three times. Later, in place of the rahs, an English professor suggested “Rock Chalk,” a transposition of chalk rock, the name for the limestone outcropping found on Mount Oread, site of the Lawrence campus.
Why do KU fans say Rock Chalk?
Kansas troops used it in the Philippine–American War in 1899, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War II. In the 1911 Border War football game, over 1,000 fans gathered in downtown Lawrence to listen to a “broadcast” of the game by telegraph and participated in cheers including the “Rock Chalk.”
How did the Ku Jayhawk get its name?
A quarter century later, a KU student by the name of Amy Sue Hurst jokingly mentioned the idea of having a small Jayhawk follow the University mascot around to Eldon Puett, who served as the University’s Jayhawk at athletic events.
What is the Jayhawk in the Ku chant?
The Jayhawk appears in several Kansas cheers, most notably, the ” Rock Chalk, Jayhawk ” chant in unison before and during games. In the traditions promoted by KU, the jayhawk is said to be a combination of two birds, “the blue jay, a noisy, quarrelsome thing known to rob other nests, and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter.”
Is the University of Kansas Jayhawk a real bird?
According to the University of Kansas, the Jayhawk was never a real species of bird. The Jayhawk was probably created by combining two species of bird that are local to the northeast part of Kansas where the university lies: the sparrow hawk and the blue jay. But the Jayhawk wasn’t always the lone mascot for this university.
How did Ku make money from the Jayhawk?
Following his graduation in 1947, Sandy sold the copyright to his bird to the Kansas Union Bookstore for $250, which he thought at the time was a substantial amount of money. Since then, of course, KU has plastered Sandy’s Jayhawk on an endless array of apparel and merchandise, making millions of dollars in the process.