[Leftcoast]

I was a frosh in the fall of 1981 and remember a student vote that year (not sure if it was winter or spring) that was framed as an "advisory" vote.  Among the choices was Griffon, Cardinals and something about a tree (perhaps sequoia?).  There was popular sentiment for the Robber Barons as a write-in but it was widely speculated that the university would reject that choice.

I believe Cardinals won but then President Kennedy sent a letter published in the daily and elsewhere saying our color would be the singular, Cardinal, and citing the Crimson and others as precedents.

Anyone else remember this letter and ballot?  At 30 plus years ago some of the details on the ballot, etc are a bit fuzzy.

Which ballot prompted the infamous "Steaming Manhole Covers" write in campaign?  Was that from the '75 ballot choice?  I think there were a few residual votes for this in the 81-82 ballot.

[Leftcoast]

I was a frosh in the fall of 1981 and remember a student vote that year (not sure if it was winter or spring) that was framed as an "advisory" vote.  Among the choices was Griffon, Cardinals and something about a tree (perhaps sequoia?).  There was popular sentiment for the Robber Barons as a write-in but it was widely speculated that the university would reject that choice.

I believe Cardinals won but then President Kennedy sent a letter published in the daily and elsewhere saying our color would be the singular, Cardinal, and citing the Crimson and others as precedents.

Anyone else remember this letter and ballot?  At 30 plus years ago some of the details on the ballot, etc are a bit fuzzy.

Which ballot prompted the infamous "Steaming Manhole Covers" write in campaign?  Was that from the '75 ballot choice?  I think there were a few residual votes for this in the 81-82 ballot.