Why Groundhog remains the heart of the University of Dallas community
As winter settles in and February approaches, most colleges are focused on gearing up for spring events. At the University of Dallas, however, an entirely different excitement fills the air – the buzz of Groundhog. This annual celebration is more than a quirky campus event; it’s a beloved tradition that has become a cornerstone of UD’s identity, bringing students, alumni, faculty and friends together in a way no other school can claim. For one weekend each winter, the UD community gathers to celebrate in style, forging bonds that last long after the bonfires die down.
The legend of UD’s Groundhog celebration dates back to the early 1960s. In 1962, University President Donald Cowan famously challenged students to “think of something to celebrate — celebrate Groundhog Day, for instance–but whatever you do, do it with style.” The students enthusiastically took up the idea. By 1963, UD launched its first Groundhog party, unwittingly starting what would become one of the university’s most cherished traditions. Now, over 60 years later, Groundhog has grown into an event of pride – in fact, UD hosts the second-largest Groundhog Day celebration in the nation, surpassed only by Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. As alumnus Randall Edington notes, “Groundhog is unique because it IS; how many schools have a Groundhog Day celebration? Especially where groundhogs aren’t even native?”
In earlier decades, UD students would hitch a ride on a tractor-pulled trailer to journey out to the Groundhog party in the woods. Today, the festivities are held on campus at “Groundhog Park,” but that adventurous, communal spirit remains unchanged.
Over the years, some details have changed, but the heart of Groundhog has stayed the same: it’s about community. Groundhog isn’t a single event, but a weekend of festivities. It kicks off with Groundhog TGIT on Thursday night, where a Groundhog King and Queen are crowned. Friday and Saturday feature daytime activities like the charity Powder Puff football game, a 5K race, and alumni vs. student sporting matches, all building anticipation for the main event: the legendary Party in the Park on Saturday night.
By Saturday evening, Groundhog Park transforms into the site of UD’s biggest celebration. Generations of the UD family gather under the stars, bundled in the year’s coveted Groundhog sweatshirts. Friends and strangers alike crowd around fire pits, roast marshmallows, eat brisket and enjoy live music late into the night. Alumni reunite, students dance and class years fade away as everyone becomes part of one UD community.
Amid the music and merriment, there’s a shared understanding that Groundhog is proudly a little ridiculous – and that’s exactly the point. “It’s our way of seriously celebrating something ridiculous,” says junior Joe Teson. What may seem odd to outsiders is a badge of honor at UD, a shared inside joke that binds the community together.
Ask any attendee what truly makes Groundhog unforgettable, and the answer comes down to the people. “Groundhog is special because it draws the whole community,” says freshman Theodore Andrews. Alumni return year after year, professors mingle by the bonfires and families join in the festivities. For many, Groundhog feels like a winter homecoming.
Moey Brown Class of ’17, the university’s director of student engagement, said it best: “Groundhog is what makes the University of Dallas special. It brings together students, alumni and faculty in a way no other event does.” From first-year students to decades-long alumni, Groundhog creates bonds across generations.
In the end, Groundhog is far more than a party – it’s a feeling of home that lingers long after the weekend ends. It turns a humble winter day into an annual celebration of unity and school spirit, reminding everyone that at UD, even the silliest tradition can carry profound meaning. As another Groundhog Day approaches, students eagerly plan for what’s to come, knowing they aren’t just attending an event, but upholding a legacy.