Wolverine 101
September 1, 2020
7 terms every future victor should know
Every college and university has its own identity. Chants, colors, mascots, phrases — even quirky legends only students, faculty, and staff know about. Here, we’re sharing a brief lesson in University of Michigan-Dearborn terminology. (To learn those legends, you’ll have to join the Wolverine family for the inside scoop!)
Dearborn Block M
The Block M is one of the most recognizable university symbols nationwide. Just one glimpse at the simple initial and you know it represents University of Michigan, an institution revered for its prestige and all-around excellence. At UM-Dearborn, our students, faculty, and staff proudly wear the Block M with Dearborn written just beneath, honoring our place within the Michigan family. A granite and bronze Dearborn Block M is even located at the heart of campus as a nod to a similar monument on our sister campus in Ann Arbor. “The idea is to unify our campuses through a shared idea,” says UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso.
Go Blue - Go Dearborn!
You’ll chant it at sporting events, or simply whenever you see someone wearing UM-Dearborn gear. It’s a sure way to show your pride in being a Wolverine — specifically, a Dearborn Wolverine.
Hail!
“Hail!" It’s short for "Hail to the Victors!” a recurring phrase in the Michigan fight song “The Victors.” You’ll find the term scrawled across T-shirts, school supplies, and various spirit gear.
Leaders and Best
Another line from “The Victors,” "leaders and best" is a phrase that describes Michigan Wolverines. All those who are a part of the Michigan family have earned a reputation of excelling from the field to the classroom and beyond.
Maize and Blue
By now, people across the world associate the colors maize and blue with University of Michigan. A pair of ribbons representing the emblematic palette (officially recognized in 1867) now reside in the Bentley Historical Library’s archive on the Ann Arbor campus.
Victor
It all comes back to the fight song! Dearborn Wolverines have adopted the “victor” moniker as a nod to the characteristic of the Michigan family as lyricized in “The Victors.”
Wolverine
Just as the state of Michigan is known as the Wolverine State, University of Michigan is the home to the Wolverine mascot. As early as 1861, students and alumni began referring to themselves as "Wolverines," and in the 1920s, two live wolverines named Bennie and Biff were showcased at Michigan Stadium on big game days. But unlike most big-time college athletic departments, you won’t see a costumed mascot on the sidelines — another tradition to learn more about once you’re a Dearborn Wolverine.
At UM-Dearborn, it may seem as though we've got a language of our own! Thankfully, we've created a resource for common university acronyms to translate any confusing terms as a resource for you.