Tell Us You’re a Jaguar Without Telling Us You’re a Jaguar
Posted on June 5, 2024 by USA Marketing and Communications
Traditions build community. Whether heartwarming or hilarious, an elaborate event or a simple hand gesture, they bring Jaguars together.
Week of Welcome
Week of Welcome is really a week-plus of networking and bonding opportunities for new and returning students. Get on Board Day showcases student organizations. Convocation teaches such important skills as how to sing the fight song and how to throw a J. Faculty and staff pitch in to carry boxes during Move-In Days. It’s a relatively new tradition but a strong kickoff to the fall semester.
Junk the Jungle
You can kick off Homecoming week by rolling the trees around the USA Traffic Circle with impunity — and the Student Government Association provides the toilet paper. Homecoming also includes a bonfire and pep rally, Greek step show and, of course, a big Hancock Whitney Stadium win by the football team.
Oozeball
It’s amazing how much fun you can have playing volleyball in foot-deep water and mud. More than 30 coed teams get down and dirty — literally — at the annual Oozeball tournament to raise money for the Southerners ambassador program and the Spotting Excellence Scholarship.
Soul Food Luncheon
This delicious Black History Month mainstay builds community among the University family. The Multicultural Leadership Center brings students, faculty and staff together for a meal to nourish both body and soul.
High-Fiving SouthPaw
Selfie opportunities abound at the heart of campus, especially as Commencement draws near. The SouthPaw statue and Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, across from each other on USA South Drive, draw lots of picture posers. A few steps away, the Jaguar Sculpture in front of the Mitchell Center and the Waterman Globe in the center’s lobby have proven Instagram-worthy.
White Coat Ceremonies
The donning of a white lab coat marks the end of classroom studies and the beginning of clinical rotations for students in medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy and audiology.
Bell-Ringing for Pediatric Cancer Patients
During September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month), a bronze bell in the courtyard of USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital sings the sweetest song in the world for young cancer patients and their families, celebrating completion of treatment.
Senior Bowl Pediatric Patient Visits
Around the time that costumed revelers parade at Mardi Gras, uniformed football players in town for the Senior Bowl visit young patients at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. It’s hard to tell whether the kids or the players find the experience more moving.
Wall of Honor at Alumni Plaza
An annual ceremony unveils the names of new Lifetime Members of the South Alabama National Alumni Association, along with those of other University builders and supporters. To date, the wall bears 3,931 names.
J Hand
The J-for-Jaguars symbol with thumb and forefinger grew as the University encouraged alternative school spirit displays to replace a “South in your mouth!” taunt that arose during basketball games. Whether you throw a J, show a J, get your J-hand up or simply say “J’s up,” remember to use the left hand so onlookers see a J and not an L for … well, you know.