Cleaning my magazines this weekend, I came across the latest issue of W&J Alumni Notes. Among the articles, which mostly don't interest me, was one about the Freshman beanie, or as the article called it, the Dink.
The Dink was a small felt cap that the Freshmen wore their first year until about Easter. By the time I went to 'Jay, it was only the first six weeks. But that was long enough.
The beanie - what we called it - had changed as well. The design was now alternating triangular felt panels of black and red. It still had the "W & J" logo in black. As the article said, the freshmen had to doff the beanie and hit the sidewalk making a clicking sound with the metal button on top of the cap.
By striking it hard on the pavement, eventually, the felt on the button would wear off and make a metallic sound. Initially, the sound was obviously muted. Being bright young men of some repute, it didn't take long for us to realize that if we scraped the felt off the buttons, we would be seen as respectful and dutiful Frosh.
I don't remember anything about the Lex Ultimo, or Freshman Court. It may have still been in existence, but I was never found not doing the right thing.
I don't have my beanie anymore. It now resides at the home of a past friend of the opposite sex.
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