Birds up! Here’s a quick rundown of UTSA’s unique traditions

Score good luck during finals and celebrate Fiesta, UTSA-style

(Aug. 11, 2016) -- Roadrunner Days are nearly here, and with them comes the beginning of a brand new academic year at UTSA. What better way to bring returning upperclassmen and thousands of new freshmen together than by getting up to speed on UTSA’s more than 100 unique traditions?

Here’s a quick rundown of some of our favorites.

Birds up!
The origins of the Roadrunner hand sign have become a mixture of myth and memory, But it's one of the easiest ways for Roadrunners from throughout the ages show their UTSA spirit. Next time you hear someone yell “Birds up!” at a game, event or just in passing, toss up the Roadrunner hand sign to show your UTSA pride.

The Fountain of Luck – Good & Bad
The Sombrilla Fountain is one of the most recognizable landmarks at UTSA. It can also bring you good luck, but only during finals. Touch the fountain wall on finals week, so campus legend goes, and you’re on track for a good showing on your exams. Touch the fountain wall on any other time during the year? It’s bad luck.

The Bridge of Love 
The bridge that connects the Arts and Flawn Sciences Buildings on the Main Campus is known as the Bridge of Love. Why? Well, legend has it that in the 1970s, this bridge was the site of an epic Roadrunner love story. Two students, known as Julie and Jason, fell for each other but were separated when Jason was drafted to war. When the pair were finally reunited, they met in the middle of that bridge. Could this be the site of a future Roadrunner romance?

Fiesta!
Fiesta is San Antonio’s most cherished tradition, a weeks-long celebration of the things that make the Alamo City unique. It should be no surprise that UTSA also gets in on the action. Since 1978, UTSA has hosted Fiesta UTSA, its official Fiesta event every spring during Fiesta. The annual daylong fair takes place in the Sombrilla and features food, music, medals, cascarones galore and special appearances by Fiesta Royalty. UTSA is also a mainstay at nearly every Fiesta parade.

Milagros
UTSA has a lot of heart. Thirty-one hearts, to be exact. Hidden in plain site on the facades of Downtown Campus buildings are 31 bronze hearts sculpted by alumna Diana Rodriguez Gil, MFA ’86, for her “Milagros” art project. The hearts, scattered across the grounds, are said to represent the love and dedication that UTSA’s community is known for. Can you find them all?

Roadrunner Call
One of the newer traditions on campus is the use of wooden castanets to simulate the sound of a Roadrunner’s mighty call. UTSA Roadrunners and fans have taken to bringing them to athletic games to show their Roadrunner spirit by making some noise, and, occasionally, distract visiting teams during scoring opportunities. After all, this is Roadrunner Country.

As for the other 94-plus traditions? Well, you’ll have to figure those out for yourself. It’s what makes being a Roadrunner so fun. (Hint: You can read the Fall 2015 issue of Sombrilla Magazine for a detailed history of how UTSA’s traditions came to be.)

Once you think you’ve mastered UTSA’s traditions, be sure to take our quiz to test your knowledge.

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