That’s not tinnitus sweeping across campus, it’s only the sound of the Monon Bell tolling from the Chapel steps ringing in your ears. Below are the responses of Wabash men — both current students and alumni — when asked what was their favorite Wabash tradition.
Hezekiah Eibert ‘15
“I love Wabash and I love our traditions. That is one of my favorite parts of this place. If you were forcing me to choose, I’d say the guarding and the ringing of the Bell the week prior and the week after. Homecoming is the pride of your house. Monon Bell is the entire campus – everybody alike – unified in keeping that Bell safe and making sure the whole town can hear it ring.”
Steve Ganson ‘73
“The Monon Bell because it was so much fun. My senior year was the year that a few of my former roommates actually stole the Bell from ourselves, from Wabash, and we blamed DePauw. They had it in their apartment and the uproar was unbelievable. They went into the gym and took the Bell right off the balcony there and took it to their room. That had to be the Fall of ’72. Sports Illustrated did a story on the game the following year and mentioned the incident.”
Wes Hauser ‘15
“Bell Week. The atmosphere on campus is a lot of fun – even the professors get into the spirit by making jokes during class time. Everyone is so chipper. It adds some spice to the semester.”
Ivan Koutsopatriy ‘16
“The Monon Bell. That one is usually a hard one for students because while you are studying anywhere on campus, you can hear that thing ringing non-stop.”
Jared Lange ‘08
“Protecting the Bell and the interactions with alumni in that week.”
Jason Siegel ‘08
“My favorite week every year is Monon Bell week. The campus just has a different energy. The freshmen staying up ringing the Bell, guarding the Bell. That’s my favorite tradition, the Monon Bell festivities.”
Brent Bollick ‘91
“Monon Bell. We were 0-4 when I was there, so I kept going back until we won one, which we finally did. That’s where I’m able to connect with other alums. The tough part of living down here (in Jacksonville, Fla.) is just how easy it was to stay connected by going to that one game.”
Spencer Burk ‘14
“It has to be the Bell. It has to do with everything on campus. It’s bigger than a game.”
