Track Day

Winners of the costume competition during Track Day, c. 1922

Track Day began in the Spring of 1911. The first Track Day was organized by the newly formed Simmons Athletic Association. Originally, Track Day was held twice a year, including indoor events in February and outdoor events in May. The indoor meets were omitted soon after, making Track Day one day of competition out on the lawn behind the Simmons Main College Building in late May.

In 1916, a best original class song contest was added to Track Day, as well as a best class costume contest. The nature of each classes’ costume was a carefully guarded secret until the morning of the competitions. Silver and Gold Cups were awarded for the most original and prettiest costume. The addition of these events allowed all of the students to participate in some part of Track Day.

Track Day, c. 1922

The athletic events included shot-put, high jump, javelin throw, standing board jump, discus throw, basketball throw, archery, and tennis rounds.

Award Cups were given to individuals and classes for each of these events. Cups were given to the classes that received the most points overall and to the individual receiving the most points in each event.

Averages were pre-set for each event, and everyone who reached the average contributed a certain number of points toward their class cups and personal cups.

In 1932, track events were eliminated from Track Day, but the traditional day remained a day of other competitions between the four classes. The best class song contest and the best class costume contest continued to be a major part of the tradition.

Students compete in Simmons Cup Games

Field Day

By the 1940s, Track Day was renamed the All College Field Day, and included an all-class tug-of-war, three-legged races, and suitcase races. The day led up to the Faculty-Student Baseball Game, another popular tradition at Simmons, which took place before the sunset picnic on the lawn.

Spring Spree and Simmons Cup

Over the years, the date of Field Day fluctuated. By the 1960s, Field Day had evolved into “Spring Spree,” which included an all-day auction. The 1989 Microcosm identifies the evolved Spring Spree tradition as including a “baseball game, bleacher creatures, pub night, Quad Side, sing-along, boat cruise, beer, Simmons Sails, waves, rain, dancing, [and] brunch.”

Spring Spree later evolved into the annual “Simmons Cup,” held on the Residence Campus each Spring. During the Simmons Cup, local fraternities would be paired up with each dorm for day-long relay races, volleyball, and other competitions. The Cup was awarded to the fraternity/dorm team with the most points at the end of the afternoon.

Today, the Field Day tradition continues with Shark Week, a weeklong celebration of Simmons Pride that includes games, events, and competitions.