While Quad Day has now become a staple during Welcome Week, it started as a completely different event over 40 years ago. This enormous campus tradition has humble beginnings. Check out how Quad Day has developed throughout the years, its original uses and the ways it has affected the University community. 

May 5, 1970 

“Rap on Quad,” a precursor to the modern Quad Day, was held at the end of the school year. This event was completely unlike the University’s current Quad Day. Back then, it served as a relaxed gathering for students to listen to local bands and take part in a variety of activities ranging from a swap shop to a food drive.

September 1971

Due to the popularity of “Rap on Quad” the previous year, the Office of Student Programs and the Illini Union teamed up to host the first official Quad Day to welcome new students to campus. In the midst of building war tensions throughout the nation’s college campuses, the purpose of Quad Day was mostly to show freshmen that the University could be a home away from home and to inform them of the different support services available to them. Featured booths ranged from community and campus establishments to legislators and trustees from the C-U area. However, the rest of Quad Day was meant for entertainment. Because of the event’s low budget, it included simple activities and amenities, such as volleyball, a single food booth and a half hour concert of the Altgeld chimes. The evening consisted of a student, faculty and staff talent show led by Dan Perrino, professor emeritus of music.

1972

Other universities, mostly Big Ten schools, began to see the success of the University of Illinois’ Quad Day in effectively diminishing some wartime tension on campus. They, too, began initiatives to hold similar events. 

1974

Quad Day continued to be a success. A steam engine was brought in to honor of one of Illinois’ staple crops: corn. The engine was used to boil ears of corn for attendees. Other activities were also added. Highlights included a paper airplane flying contest, a hot air balloon demonstration and a faculty talent show.

1975

Quad Day became more and more popular. More students attended for the chance to challenge the chancellor in yo-yo and engage in other quirky activities with administration members or trustees. The attendance level jumped up to thousands of students. Quad Day no longer concluded in the afternoon, and a night performance lasted until 1 a.m. 

1978 

Heavy rains led to the first Quad Day delay.

1980

Attendance continued to grow, and more universities hosted similar events.  According to Willard Broom, who has attended every Quad Day since 1972, “With the end of the Vietnam War…student life turned to more inward-looking activities and the expansion of student organizations reflected that shift.”  

1987

Over 150 student organizations registered for booths for Quad Day. 

2001

Free food was banned from Quad Day.

2005

More and more student organizations began registering for Quad Day booths. Over 600 RSOs were registered that year. The event became geared more toward students interested in joining extracurricular activities and social networking. Again, attendance continued to grow for the event.

2009

A large banner was draped in front of the Alma Mater that stated “Chancellor Herman: Admission Denied,” to show the students’ dissatisfaction with the Chancellor’s admissions scandal.

2012

Last year’s Quad Day showed a record attendance for the event with over 12,000 students and 650 organizations.

2013

This year marks the 42nd Quad Day held at the University. The event has expanded since its founding and now hosts over 600 organizations and even more students in attendance. 

The material used in this story comes from newspapers, correspondence and other historical documents from the University of Illinois’ Digital Newspaper Collection and Life and Culture Archives, as well as an email interview with Willard Broom, alumnus of ’72.

Jolie can be reached at [email protected].