Spirit
mit facts
Motto: mens et manus - "mind and hand"
Team name: The Engineers
Mascott: Beaver
The beaver was adopted as the MIT mascot in 1914. Lester D. Gardner 1898 presented the idea to MIT president Richard C. Maclaurin at the annual dinner of the Technology Club of New York. According to brass rat lore, Gardner's argument for choosing a beaver runs as follows: "We first thought of the kangaroo, which, like Tech, goes forward by leaps and bounds. Then we considered the elephant. He is wise, patient, strong, hard working, and like all those who graduate from Tech, has a good tough hide. But neither of these were American animals. We turned to [William Temple] Hornaday's book on the animals of North America and instantly chose the beaver. The beaver not only typifies the Tech [student], but his habits are peculiarly our own. The beaver is noted for his engineering, mechanical skills, and industry. His habits are nocturnal. He does his best work in the dark."
Colors: Maroon and White
hazing
The MIT Swim Team prohibits hazing. Not only does hazing violate Massachusetts State Law and MIT strictly prohibit it, the spirit of the team condemns it. We feel that once you're on the team, you're a member, and all members deserve our respect. There's no hierarchy here. If you feel undesired pressure from any member, you should address your concerns to the person directly, to a captain, or to the coach.
beaver cheer
ONE PERSON: I'm a Beaver!
TEAM (answering): You're a Beaver!
ALL: We are Beavers all,
And when we get together we do the Beaver call:
e to the u du dx.
e to the x dx.
Cosine, secant, tangent, sine,
3.14159.
Intregral, radical, mu dv,
Slipstick, sliderule, MIT!