“Growl, Bengals, Growl
Fight, Bengals Fight
Gnash your teeth and
Bare your claws and
Drive with all your might!
Roar, Bengals roar,
You decide our fate
Bring the vict’ry home to us,
You Bengals of Idaho State
I-S-U
ISU Fight,
ISU Fight,
ISU Fight
Go, Go, Go
Bengals Go!”[1]
The students of Idaho State University sing this fight song time and time again. Cheerleaders waving their pom poms while the marching band brings up the tune is all too common at nearly all sporting events on campus. While thousands have and continue to sing this tune in traditional school spirit the roots of its’ upbringing may further the meaning. It may give more vigor to those who now urge Bengals to growl loud and proud.
The origins of the ISU fight song can be traced back to as early as 1921. Two key individuals Ralph H. Hutchinson and James C. Gardner are key to its’ creation. Hutchinson was hired as the athletics director of the then named Idaho Technical Institute in 1921.[2] During this time the mascot for the school was not official. Some had named their mascot as the Bantams, which is essentially a rooster, but those at the school were not fond of the name.[3] Hutchinson decided to change the mascot to the official Bengal that we know today in 1931.[4] As is shown in the lyrics, the growls of a bengal were only possible due to this change.
Only two years after Hutchinson was hired, Gardner assumed the role of band director for the institute. Through his 27 years he would create many musical pieces including the first fight song to the college. He named the song the Tiger March, even though this did not fit the official mascot for the school. Reasons as to why it was titled that tiger march is unclear. Perhaps staff had discussed plans to create a new mascot while he created the march, but there is little evidence of this. What did take place, however, was that Gardner taught the band how to play this march, both for concerts as well as football games. The song went as follows:
“The Tiger March”
We’re the fighting Tigers, brave and bold,
Our Idaho colors are black and gold,
Let us sing her praises loud and long,
And cheer our boys with the Tiger Song
Now come on, Tigers, win today,
We’ll help you fight them all the way
We will cheer you on in all you do
For our good old Southern Idaho U.[5]
The song itself was a call to join in the cause of supporting the team. Gardner himself stated that this song was dedicated, “to emphasize as much as possible the spirit of loyalty to the Southern Branch of the University that should be kept awake and alert at all times.”[6] This sense of loyalty to the college and team was a way in which students were able to show their loyalty through song.
Certainly this song is invigorating and peppy, but it was rather unique in contrast to the other songs he composed. He was famously known around town for songs he created like, “Sweetest Memories”, “Sweetest Flowers”, and also “The Hills of Idaho.”[7] Where did he learn how to make a march when his other pieces were more meant for concerts and plays?
It is well supported that J Gardner learned much from the great John philip Sousa himself, known for some of the greatest marches ever written. He played in the world famous Sousa band just prior to his beginning work at the Institute.[8] The beginnings of ISU’s fight song was off to a great start.
After 27 years of service Gardner retired in 1950.[9] In his 27 years he attempted to embed the sense of loyalty the students should have for their school. It was not until 1971 that the fight song would be changed to the more modern version sung at the school. R. Del Slaughter created the song, “Growl, Bengals, Growl,” in March of 1971.[10]
Growl, Bengals, growl
Fight Bengals, fight
Gnash your teeth and bare your claws and drive with all your might.
Charge down from your lair,
Storm out on the field,
Raise a cheer and give a yell!
You Bengals of Idaho State.[11]
Of this version McGlothlin, chair of the Department of Music (1972), and Missal, Band director (1972), both expressed, “This Del Slaughter composition may be the most enduring contribution the “Great Day” series made to Idaho state. If this is true, so be it.”[12] Although it is it is unclear when this version changed to the current version, the same meaning is found. The version sung today shares the same message, similar to what Gardner stated, a sense of loyalty and pride for the school.
– Mitchell Young
________
Works Cited
“Donald McGlothlin, Ph.D.” http://plaza.ufl.edu/mcgloth/index_files/page0001.htm.
Gardner, James C. “Guide To The James C. Gardner (1880-1969) PAPERS, 1920-1981.” Idaho State University. http://cdm16942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16942coll8/id/9/rec/17.
Idaho State University. “Idaho State University Marching Band Handbook.” https://www.isu.edu/media/libraries/school-of-performing-arts/music/Handbook-2017.pdf
Idaho State University. “Traditions.” https://isubengals.com/sports/2010/10/7/GEN_1007100949.aspx?path=general.
Smith, Lisa. “Municipal Band’s trumpet player became band’s 2nd conductor.” Idaho State Journal. https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/municipal-band-s-trumpet-player-became-band-s-nd-conductor/article_aaf9dd76-0f03-11e4-9027-001a4bcf887a.html.
Songs of Idaho and Its School Collection, 1925-1990. Special Collections and Archives, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho.
Songs of Idaho and Its Schools, Box 1, MC082], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
Technia, Dec. 9 1927, James C. Gardner Papers, MC 045], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
Technia, Jan. 8, 1928, James C. Gardner Papers, Box 1], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[1] Idaho State University. “Idaho State University Marching Band Handbook.” https://www.isu.edu/media/libraries/school-of-performing-arts/music/Handbook-2017.pdf.
[2] James, C. Gardner, “Guide To The James C. Gardner (1880-1969) PAPERS, 1920-1981.” Idaho State University. http://cdm16942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16942coll8/id/9/rec/17.
[3] Idaho State University. “Traditions.” https://isubengals.com/sports/2010/10/7/GEN_1007100949.aspx?path=general.
[4] Idaho State University. “Traditions.” https://isubengals.com/sports/2010/10/7/GEN_1007100949.aspx?path=general.
[5] Technia, Dec. 9 1927, James C. Gardner Papers, MC 045], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library,Idaho State University Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[6] Technia, Dec. 9 1927, James C. Gardner Papers, MC 045], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[7] Technia, Jan. 8, 1928, James C. Gardner Papers, Box 1], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[8] James C. Gardner Papers, MC 045], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[9] James, C. Gardner, “Guide To The James C. Gardner (1880-1969) PAPERS, 1920-1981.” Idaho State University. http://cdm16942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16942coll8/id/9/rec/17.
[10] Songs of Idaho and Its School Collection, 1925-1990. Special Collections and Archives, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, http://cdm16942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16942coll8/id/12/rec/36
[11] Songs of Idaho and Its Schools, Box 1, MC082], Special Collections Department, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Special Collections and Archives. Pocatello, Idaho.
[12] Songs of Idaho and Its School Collection, 1925-1990. Special Collections and Archives, Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, http://cdm16942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p16942coll8/id/12/rec/36; University of Florida.; “Donald McGlothlin, Ph.D.” http://plaza.ufl.edu/mcgloth/index_files/page0001.htm.; Smith, Lisa. “Municipal Band’s trumpet player became band’s 2nd conductor.” Idaho State Journal. https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/municipal-band-s-trumpet-player-became-band-s-nd-conductor/article_aaf9dd76-0f03-11e4-9027-001a4bcf887a.html.
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