By: Nicole Bilby
For over a decade, fans, players and coaches have gathered around the Victory Tree to sing and hear a celebration speech from the head coach after a home football victory.
In the late summer of 2016, a bronze tree was placed in the Victory Plaza as a symbol of the original tree for fans to admire. However, in December 2016 when a new football coaching staff started so did a new tradition at Western: the Victory Bell.
Following the first home win of the Fall 2017 season against Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), the initial ringing of the Victory Bell was administered by Jonathan Owens.
Owens was captain for the game against MSSU and had the privilege of being the first player to ring the bell.
“It was a ‘player of the game’ honor to be the first one to do it, I can always say that,” Owens said.
The ringing of the bell was instituted because the new buildings around the original tree made the decade long tradition less accessible. Griffon football players opted for this new ritual because it would also be easier for the fans to experience.
Brett Esely, athletic director for External Relations at Western said it will be a great new tradition moving forward.
“While I was a bit leery of moving away from the Victory Tree/Forest tradition, seeing the scene at the bell following the game was really cool and powerful,” Esely said.
Matt Williamson, football head coach, wants the community and the players involved with the the Victory Bell. He said the more people down there to celebrate the win, the better it will get.
Although the Victory Tree tradition is transitioning out, there are still other traditions at Western that are very prevalent. Rally Towels, the fight song and Western chants continue to bring spirit to all athletic events.
The Western, “Fight On, Griffons” song has been part of the university ever since 1979 and is played before football games and after a home victory.
The Victory Bell although relatively new, is another tradition fans can look forward to after every home win.
