Orange Jackets History

Orange Jackets is one of the oldest student organization at the University of Texas. Its foundation is firmly established through the conscientious and positive leadership of the most outstanding leaders on campus. Since its formation in 1923, Orange Jackets has remained an exemplary honor and service organization.

Each person who becomes an Orange Jacket obtains the orange sleeveless jacket, bearing an orange "T" on the white pocket. The orange jacket is presented at an initiation banquet, and it is worn at all official functions. Carroll Morris recalls that in 1954, all the girls wore white blouses and skirts with their vests, and even matching pleated skirts.

The Founding

In 1923, school enthusiasm at The University of Texas increased and the growing numbers at rallies became a problem. Dorothy Ann Fisher of Dallas, a cheerleader, came up with the idea of forming a group of outstanding women leaders on campus to help at all events and inspire spirit around campus. Miss Fisher wanted each phase of campus life represented out of the 1,500 girls attending the University. The group should be interested in the University as a whole and willing to lead others in various campus events.

Miss Fisher went to Anna Hiss, Associate Professor and Director of Physical Training for Women, and was referred to Olga Anderson. Miss Anderson was newly arrived from Wisconsin, where they had a spirit organization similar to the one Miss Fisher envisioned. Miss Anderson, who was later to become the group's first faculty advisor, suggested naming the organization "Orange Jackets" - a name which would mean "Texas" without actually bearing the label.

In order to ensure the selection of the most representative group of leaders, a meeting of the Dean of Women, Miss Lucy Newton, a faculty representative, Miss Susie Fisher, and the president of e every women's organization on campus was called. This group selected the first twenty members, who were considered the most prominent University women at that time. The selection was based on enthusiasm, initiative, originality, interest, personality, tenacity, and scholarship. The girls were also judged on one more aspect that is not mentioned in most records or accounts - their song-writing abilities. Dr. Bernice Moore recalls that the applicants had to submit an original "Texas" song with their application. This had kept her from applying, but Miss Moore was accepted soon after when a position appeared. The Orange Jackets even tapped her in at the hospital.

The founders of Orange Jackets were from cities throughout Texas.

The first president of the group was Etelka Schmidt, who continued to associated with Orange Jackets as an alumnae and later succeeded Olga Anderson as faculty sponsor.

Early Spirit Activities

Many of the members were bothered by the fact that they were called Orange Jackets in name, though there was nothing tangible about this designation. The Orange Jackets adopted a uniform of white shirts, white skirts, and an orange jacket. The year Orange Jackets was organized, Texas played the annual A&M football game at College Station. The Orange Jackets devised the plan of selling meals to the hungry fans on trains to and from College Station in order to raise money for the jackets that they had deemed their official uniform. The following poem was written as advertisement for the sandwich sale:

Has anyone seen a sandwich?
Does anybody know what it is?
We make them in the Women's Gym,
And cater to the traveler's whim.
All night long we sold them
To buy ourselves some clothing
Come buy a sandwich or chewing gum
And you will have some fun!

The Orange Jackets made their first appearance at the Texas vs. Southwestern University football game on October 27, 1923. But it was not until the Texas vs. Oklahoma game in Austin on November 17, 1923, that they proudly wore their new uniform.

Early Service to the University

The Orange Jackets attended all games and wore their jackets, but were not a cheering squad as many accounts portray them. Instead, they had been conceived as a service organization to recognize outstanding leaders on campus and remain thus to this day. Their duties were mainly to assist at football games and at rallies, perform stunts with the Cowboys (their brother organization at the time), assist in campus activities in any way possible. One of the unforgettable activities sponsored by the first Orange Jackets was the spectacular "Texas T" formed on the field by various women's organizations and led by the Orange Jackets.

In 1924, the Orange Jackets founded and sponsored the Dad's and Mother's Day. This has become an annual tradition, now entitled "Dad's Day" or "Parents' Weekend" and is Texas' unofficial homecoming. They also began an archives project in 1928 to help the organization at UT keep in touch with their history. They presented the University with an archives cabinet to store all the material, and it is still in use today. Several controversial issues both on campus and in the community have been the subject of attention and study by the Orange Jackets. During it very first year, Orange Jackets passed a resolution to uphold the University's honor system. In 1926 they established the Women's Self-Government Association which helped freshman girls with the new problems presented by life at college.