Bibs

Beginning in 1939 and continuing for decades, DePaul freshman could easily be spotted by the green beanies on their heads. The “frosh,” as they were often called, were required to wear these markers at all times on campus or risked being sentenced to Kangaroo Court, a student-run mock court designed to punish freshman who didn’t follow mandates of the upperclassmen.  Beanies had to be worn through the fall until the annual pushball contest. The freshmen could doff their hats upon a victory at pushball or be subjected to another week of the dress code if they lost. For a brief period in the mid-1950s beanies were replaced with obligatory bibs. This tradition ended in the 1970s.

Freshmen displaying “I’m a little Demon” bibs. c. 1954.

Freshmen wearing bibs. They are preparing to burn a beanie, the marker of freshmen on campus that was discontinued in 1954 in favor of wearing bibs. c. 1954.

The DePaulia 10/08/1954 front page, published by DePaul University.