The Nickname
The nickname "Engineers" was first used in The Polytechnic to refer to the baseball team, March 17, 1921. It was also used to describe other athletic teams later that year.
While the official date of adoption of the nickname has not been pinpointed, the term “Engineers” was a somewhat obvious reference to RPI students, who were almost exclusively engineering students at the time.
Cherry & White
The colors, cherry and white, were incorporated in the Institute coat of arms which was prepared in 1904 at the request of Director Ricketts by a Boston architect, Mr. R. C. Sturgis. It should be noted that the official coat of arms, as prepared in 1904, includes the colors, blue and gold, as well as the familiar cherry and white, but only the last two are usually printed now. The official Institute design incorporated the Van Rensselaer coat of arms and colors, which were red, white, blue and gold.
The History of the Mascots
“Otis” the white horse - A white "trojan horse" graced the sidelines of RPI football games in the late 1940s.
“The Bachelors” - The Student Council held a mascot contest in the spring of 1953 and students voted on the finalists. "Bachelors" was the winning entry. Athletic teams were referred to as the Bachelors from 1953 to 1958.
“Puckman” - Puckman, the mascot at Rensselaer hockey games, is modeled after the RPI Bullet logo. The character, which is in the shape of a puck and has an Engineers cap, first appeared in printed marketing materials in the late 70's before appearing in costume in 1998. Puckman continues to be a beloved presence around RPI athletic and campus events.
“The Swarm” - The Swarm was also a mascot in the 1980s. The costumed characters first appeared at basketball games in 1983 and then later showed up at football and hockey games.
“Red Hawks” - In 1995, the Red Hawk was adopted as an official Rensselaer mascot. Athletic teams such as basketball, baseball, softball and soccer adopted this as their team name. Other teams such as football, hockey and track & field retained "Engineers" as their team name during that time.
As of the 2009-10 season, all of Rensselaer’s 23 intercollegiate sports fall under the moniker of “Engineers”. Currently, none of the programs have a “mascot”, using a diagonal RPI logo.
The RPI Pep Band
Founded in 1920, the RPI Pep Band is a completely student-owned and operated organization operating under the Rensselaer Union. In simplest terms, it’s a group of people who love to play their instruments and love spreading school spirit at football, men's Hockey, and women's Hockey games, both home and - on occasion - away.
The RPI Pep Band is also known as America's Pep Band. Why the name? Well, rumor has it that at some time in the early 80’s Sports Illustrated did an article on college pep bands and called RPI’s Pep Band "the most spirited band in America."
Alma Mater
The alma mater was published under the title "Here's to Old R.P.I." in the first book of Songs of Rensselaer printed in 1913. In 1918, there was some dissatisfaction expressed about the alma mater and the Phalanx sponsored a contest for a new school song. Because of the distraction of world war, there was little interest in producing a new song and only one entry was submitted.
The Polytechnic Board, who was preparing a new edition of Songs of Rensselaer, attempted to resurrect the debate in the spring of 1920. A "large majority thinks the present song lacks the proper spirit, and that a new and more forceful song should be adopted." The song endured, however, and remains the Alma Mater of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Alma Mater Lyrics
Here's to old RPI, her fame may never die.
Here's to old Rensselaer, she stands today without a peer.
Here's to those olden days,
Here's to those golden days,
Here's to the friends we made at dear old RPI.
Music by Edmund Fales '97
Hail Dear Old Rensselaer
Hail, dear old Rensselaer has been played as the intro for the RPI athletics teams for many years. The song, performed by the RPI Pep Band, is most frequently played at football, men’s hockey and women’s hockey games.
Hail, dear old Rensselaer, the college of our heart.
For dear old Rensselaer, we all must do our part.
True to old Rensselaer, we'll always strive to be.
Now, dear old Rensselaer, hail to thee.
Hear the tramp, tramp, tramp of marching feet.
Hear the rat-tat-tat of drums that beat.
Hear the voices ringing loud and sweet.
Hear that mighty shout of ...
Hail, dear old Rensselaer, the college of our heart.
For dear old Rensselaer, we all must do our part.
True to old Rensselaer, we'll always strive to be.
Now, dear old Rensselaer, hail to thee.
Words and Music by Charles S. Root '34
