Troy University celebrates 139th birthday with Trojan Spirit Week

Troy University’s Student Government Association (SGA) will hold Trojan Spirit Week Feb. 23-27, which will also coincide with Troy’s 139th birthday on Thursday, Feb. 26. 

Troy has a long history of celebrating Trojan Pride, and the first official Trojan Spirit Week will be no different. SGA and others will hold various events in partnership with One Troy Week to celebrate the spirit, traditions and unity of Troy University. 

“Trojan Spirit Week is pretty much an embodiment of Trojan Pride as we celebrate Troy’s birthday,” said Jamarion Willie, SGA Spirit and Traditions Committee chair and sophomoreelectrical and electronic engineering major from Huntsville, Alabama. “This is something new that we have planned this year, and it’s the first of many more.” 

Young Cutter graphic

Trojan Spirit Week kicked off on Monday with Questions on the Quad. Tuesday marked the glow in the dark Troy men’s basketball game against Louisiana at 6 p.m. in Trojan Arena. 

On Wednesday, SGA, along with the Black Student Union, 101 ELITE Men and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held their 3rd Annual Unity Walk at 6:13 p.m. on the John R. Lewis Quad in honor of Black History Month. 

On Thursday, Troy will celebrate its 139th birthday with a party at the amphitheater from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Organizations will also submit their #happybirthdaytroy social media stories at 9 a.m. 

Also on Thursday, SGA President Caleb Smith will give his State of the Student Body Address at 4 p.m. in the Lamar P. Higgins Ballrooms at the Trojan Center. 

Emily Kolb, vice chair of the Spirit and Traditions Committee and junior math education major from Birmingham, Alabama, shared her hopes for the events. 

“I know that right now classes are getting harder, so we hope that this week will really show that you can still show your Trojan pride,” Kolb said. “We hope that people will participate as much as they can and have a good time.” 

During the week, student organizations, both Greek and non-Greek, have a chance to compete for the Most Spirited Award. Organizations will receive points toward this contest byattending each event and competing in social media contests. 

To compete in the first social media contest, participating organizations will submit a Troy birthday TikTok to SGA and the one with the most engagement and likes will receive a signed basketball from the Troy men’s basketball team. Organizations will also post a Troy birthday story on social media. 

Caleb Smith, SGA president and senior risk management and insurance major from Gadsden, Alabama, shared his hopes for new traditions. 

“We’re hoping that spirit week will become a tradition, and that it can be something that happens around Troy’s birthday every single year,” Smith said. 

Kolb also shared her excitement and words of encouragement for those considering attending the events. 

“It’s been a big project, and we put a lot of work into this, so I’m really excited for how this week is going to turn out,” Kolb said. “There is something for everyone, and it’s for you to show you love Troy.” 

Trojan Spirit Week will end on Friday at the men’s basketball game against ULM at 6 p.m. in Trojan Arena. At the game, winners of The Most Spirited Award will be announced, and Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride will be crowned.