How Baylor helped make the mum a Texas homecoming tradition

“Pro Texana” has been a big part of Baylor from the very beginning, starting with our charter by the Republic of Texas in 1845 (before Texas was even a state). Today, Baylor is the oldest continually operating college in the state. Five Baylor graduates have served as governor of Texas, and Texas icons like Willie Nelson and Dave Campbell are among the thousands upon thousands of Baylor alumni.

Beyond such historical bona fides, Baylor is known for its classic Texas culture and traditions. From wearing cowboy boots at home football games to enjoying floats and fellowship at the weekly Dr Pepper Hour, Baylor has long been a favorite choice for college students wanting a true Lone Star State experience.

One classic Texas tradition that only continues to grow is the wearing of mums at Homecoming football games. Today, high school girls across the state show their school spirit at the big game by wearing enormous arrangements of chrysanthemums (helpfully artificial), ribbons and trinkets that sometimes leave only their heads visible.

Lovers of Homecoming mums can thank Baylor for having been the first college in Texas to popularize this symbol of school spirit. That’s because, even though the mum tradition began in Missouri circa 1911, it became bigger and better after Baylor’s Homecoming queens began wearing mums in the 1930s. (Check out 1935 Baylor Homecoming Queen Marguerite Joyce above.)

From Waco, the Homecoming mum tradition quickly spread to colleges and high schools across the state. Today, Homecoming mums are almost entirely a high school thing. However, in recent years, children of Baylor alumni returning to campus for Homecoming have enjoyed the opportunity to create small mums as part of Homecoming at the Hurd. Be sure to swing by this year during Homecoming to join in this classic Texas tradition!

Sic ’em, Homecoming Mums!