Bradley freshman beanie, 1965

Bradley freshman beanie, 1965

The beanie tradition began on Bradley's campus in the 1920s and continued for over forty years. All incoming first-year men (and later women) were required to purchase and wear the green caps until the bonfire during homecoming week. Here, most students chose to burn their hats! If a freshman was caught not wearing their beanie, they risked discipline at the hands of the Rat Court, a group of older students who policed freshman behavior. The Rat Court wasn’t all fun and games and it doled out harsh punishments which included shaving a student’s hair and painting their head green. The university banned Beanies and the Rat Court though both resurfaced briefly due to popular student demand. This beanie was worn by James Lediger during the 1965-66 academic year.

Photo by Ching Zedric.

1965

College students

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