Traditions

Anchored in tradition

Hoban is a school full of rich traditions that make becoming a Knight unique, fun and memorable! From annual events, such as Mum Day, to the singing of the alma mater, traditions play a big part in what it means to be a Hoban Knight. For decades, these traditions have engaged the hearts of students and bind the entire school community together.

MUM DAY

Of all the Hoban traditions, one stands out from all the rest. Mum Day is an annual event with deep significance to all students, Holy Cross educators and alumni. Mum Day is celebrated annually on the day of the Hoban vs. Walsh Jesuit football game.

History of Mum Day
Senior Lock-In

History of Mum Day

First organized by student council in 1962, Mum Day was created in order to save all energy for the pep rally at the end of the day and game time. The year of the inaugural Mum Day, the Knights beat the Irish (then St. Vincent) in an upset. Many believe it was the discipline of Mum Day that motivated the ’62 Hoban team, and the tradition continues today. Students refrain from speaking a word until the first cheer at the pep rally: "Give me an H!"

Read a detailed history of the early days of the Mum Day tradition by T.J. Wolski '01.

Senior Lock-In

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

November we are Called to Serve others through our annual Canned Food Drive. The Canned Food Drive has been a part of our Hoban community for many years and is just one of the many ways that we live out our Christian and Holy Cross core values. It is an event that truly takes the commitment and involvement of the whole school. Your support of the Canned Food Drive is so important and valued. The canned goods and non-perishable items that are brought in over two weeks in November and donated to a number of food pantries and outreach programs in the Akron area.

2024 Goal: The overall goal is to bring in 20,000 cans as a whole school/5,000 cans per grade level. There will be incentive days over the two weeks that will hopefully help us reach this goal as well! The grade level who brings in the most cans will win a class field day and picnic later in the school year.

As disciples of Jesus we stand side by side with all people. Like them we are burdened by the same struggles and beset by the same weaknesses; like them we are made new by the same Lord’s love; like them we hope for a world where justice and love prevail.
- Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C.

HOBAN ALMA MATER

The alma mater is sung after every all-school Mass and most large athletic competitions. Students and alumni wrap arms around each other and sway as they sing.

In 1976, amid some dissatisfaction with the original alma mater, a contest was held to write a new one. Mark S. Schweitzer '76 won with the current lyrics. Brother Eugene Weisenberger, who taught music at Hoban at the time, set the lyrics to music.

HOBAN FIGHT SONG

The lyrics to the fight song were altered slightly in 1973, when the school became coeducational. The line "All cheer for Hoban High" was once "Men cheer for Hoban High."

SENIOR-YEAR EVENTS

Senior year for Hoban Knights is an exciting time and full of fun events that students wait four years to enjoy.
Being a senior and earning your role as the leaders of the school is a rite of passage and an important milestone in your educational journey.

Visit the seniors webPAGE for more information

COLLEGE T-SHIRT DAY

Each year a day is designated for seniors to wear t-shirts or sweatshirts bearing the insignia of the colleges and universities they have chosen to attend the following fall. The day has become a springtime tradition, with a class picture being taken.

ALUMNI-SENIOR BREAKFAST

The alumni-senior breakfast occurs on the seniors' last day of school, combined with a series of long-standing traditions. Alumni are welcomed back to campus to welcome the graduating seniors into the Alumni Association. After breakfast, seniors gather to watch the senior video, with a recount of their four years as Hoban students. The morning concludes with the celebration of the Senior Mass. In the afternoon, they paint the concrete HOBAN letters on the western hillside of campus.

LAST ALL-SCHOOL MASS

We can't say goodbye to our seniors without one last all-school Mass. After four years gathering as a school family in Barry Gymnasium, this Mass is one of the final moments the class is all together. Every all-school Mass ends with the student body arm-in-arm, singing the alma mater.

PAINT THE HOBAN LETTERS

Each senior class is charged with repainting the hillside HOBAN letters on the last day of school. This tradition dates back to the Class of 1967, when the letters were installed.

About the HOBAN Letters

About the HOBAN Letters

The year 1967 marked the days of an all-boys Archbishop Hoban High School with 37 Brothers of Holy Cross dressed in black cassocks cinctured at the waist with black tassled cords. One of the most visible projects of the Class of 1967 was the construction of the giant concrete word 'HOBAN' on the west hill.
On Monday, Oct. 17, known as "Senior Dig Day," senior Terry Ruip with the assistance of senior class moderator Brother Robert Lavelle and maintenance director Brother Jerome Kroetsch worked with 27 seniors to lay out the HOBAN letters. They were designed by Ruip and are 27 feet high with a total cost of $213.

SENIOR PROM

One of the most iconic high school memories is senior prom. Held in early May, seniors can attend promenade in Barry Gymnasium to see everyone dressed up, attend the senior prom dinner and dance at Guy's Party Center and attend after-prom, sponsored by Hoban and senior parents.