Spirit and Tradition

The HCU Alma Mater “Hail the Orange & Blue” is traditionally sung:

• After all sporting events (win or lose)
• At the Commencement
• After special Convocations
• At special HCU events (Homecoming, Family Weekend, etc.)

Lyrics

In the great state of Texas,
Houston, USA,
Stands our noble Alma Mater,
Christ saying I am the Way.

In our search for knowledge,
Tempered with Thy love,
Seeking our place of service,
With wisdom from above.

Give us courage, strength and faith,
To face a world filled with fear.
Ever onward to the challenge,
Knowing Thou art near.

God bless our school.
Keep her safe and true.
God bless our Alma Mater.
Hail the Orange and Blue.

Music & Lyrics by Dr. W.H. Hinton and Dr. Don Looser

HCU’s official hand sign.

How to do it

Place your middle finger and ring finger to your thumb with you pointer and pinky finger sticking straight up.

When to do it

When you hear someone yell, “DAWGS UP!” Throw your Dawg in the air and bark!

Be ready at all times! You never know when the yell will come!

Remember keep that snout out and those ears up!

During the Freshmen Move-In we welcome you in style!  All of our clubs, organizations, faculty, and staff join together to help you move in!

You pull up, we unload your vehicle and take it to your room!  It is our pleasure to welcome you to HCU! The “Husky Hauler Haulinteers” are on the job.

The four days before school starts in the fall semester are special at HCU.

This is when we welcome our incoming students with a bang.  From move in to the Beanie Ceremony, to learning more about the university they will embrace; Welcome Days jam packs orientation with a huge “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!”

One of HCU’s oldest traditions, the Beanie is a hat won by our incoming Freshman students during their first week of school.  Each freshman that attends Welcome Days will participate in the Beanie Ceremony where they are charged with carrying on or creating a legacy here at HCU.

Proper wearing of the Beanie

Proper wearing of the Beanie is bill to the front, with the HCU letters proudly showing

When should I wear my Beanie?

During the first week of your first year; rain, shine, night and day.

Why is the Beanie special?

The Beanie helps HCU recognize and welcome our incoming students.  It also allows students to bond with a long-standing tradition, and with their fellow classmates.

Join a legacy and the tradition!

During Welcome Days all freshman students have the privilege of participating in a time honored tradition where they are knighted with their Beanie.

This ceremony celebrates the legacies that are being continued, and the new legacies that are being made.

The ultimate battle of the classes!

During the first week of school, the Freshman class battle the Upperclassmen in a battle of Tug-of-War.

If the Freshmen win the battle they are free to remove their Beanie.  If they lose, which they always do, they must continue wearing their Beanie’s proud for one more week!

The HCU Seal is a source of pride for HCU.  The Bible representing the word of God, and the Cross representing the foundation of our mission statement, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Be sure to observe the honor of this seal and do not walk on it anywhere on campus.

In the Hinton Center, named after HCU’s first President, is a bust with power: Hinton’s bust.

Before a quiz, test, or class, give his nose a rub and may the his luck rub off on you.

The Husky Spirit Walk is a game-day moment designed to spark Husky pride as our football team arrives at the stadium. Two hours before kickoff, mascots, cheerleaders, the dance team, band members, player families, students, and fans line the walk—creating an electric show of support and unity.

This experience brings the HCU community together and sets the tone for game day, building a tradition that will grow stronger with each season. Be part of the beginning—show up early, wear the Orange & Blue, bring the energy, and help launch the Huskies into game day.

The Husky Spirit Walk begins at the Huskies sign between Lot 5 and Sorrels Field and makes its way around McNair Plaza, leading the team past the north side of Husky Stadium and into the HCU Football Facility. Lined with Huskies in Orange & Blue, this walk is all about energy, pride, and setting the tone for game day.

After the Husky Spirit Walk, the fun continues. Students and fans are encouraged to head to the Student Life Tailgate in Lawrence Park, host their own tailgate, or explore HCU’s beautiful campus as game-day excitement builds. Stadium gates open one hour before kickoff—don’t miss a moment!

Husky Hype is the heartbeat of HCU athletics—loud & loyal, driven & relentless, fueled by spirit, and fearless by nature. This student section brings unmatched energy, school spirit, and fan support to every game, inspiring our student-athletes and uniting the HCU community.

Continuing a long-standing tradition and welcoming more Huskies, students have the chance to join the cheerleaders in leading cheers and rallying the crowd, bang on the spirit drums, participate in game-day activities, and show their Orange & Blue pride by bringing nonstop energy to every game. Defenders of the Dawg Pound and game-day ready, Husky Hype is where Huskies make noise, make memories, and build a lasting legacy of spirit.

Come back home and celebrate the legacy you were a part of.

Homecoming is a time where the past meets the present with excitement for the future. Our alums come home, our current students celebrate, and the university has a party!

“God bless our Alma Mater; Hail the Orange & Blue!” Don’t miss out on the Homecoming fun this year!

During the last week of classes during the Spring semester, count on the Student Programming Board to celebrate big!

Whether its a carnival, Food Truck parade, movie on the lawn, or something else, Spring Fling is guaranteed to be an event you won’t want to miss each year!

Every semester, the Monday before finals begin we have no classes to give our students a time to study and prepare.

That night our faculty and staff gather in our cafeteria and serve our students breakfast and it is one big party!! This event is full of games, music, and prizes for all! Each semester there is a new theme, and our faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to express the theme anyway they can!