FEATURES

Spirit of '22 serves as symbol of MSU pride
Lana Vulpitta | For the Wichitan

The antique body style gives a hint to its age. The doors and seats squeak as if someone were walking up creaky, old stairs. Yup close, you can see your reflection in the shiny maroon paint. Turn the key and the engine emits a loud rumble. Once upon a time it was used to fight fires. Today, it serves as a symbol of MSU spirit, firing up enthusiasm at home games.

“We wanted to find something different to solicit school spirit. Something we could rally, drive to MSU events and have something the community can identify with MSU,” said Leslie Ponder, director of alumni relations.

In 1996 Cindy Loveless, who works at the MSU Post Officer, had spotted a fire truck for sale on the side of the road at Chillicothe and told Ponder about it. Ponder and Howard Farrell, vice president of student affairs, decided to check it out. They found exactly what they were looking for in the form of a 1942 Dodge Pumper. Volunteer firefighters drove this truck for years. Ponder and Farrell bought it for $2,000.

“The firefighters were actually using it when we came to look at it. It was in great condition!” Ponder said. Ponder took it for a test drive. “I like to call myself an ‘honorary fireman,’” she quipped, laughing. “I’m almost too short to reach the pedals and floor starter. Between trying to work the floor starter, gage and seeing over the steering wheel, it was an interesting experience.”

The dim gray and burnt red truck was in good condition but slightly oxidized. Ponder and Farrell knew there was some fixing up to do. After MSU maintenance drove the truck back to Wichita Falls, Ponder and Farrell did the best they could to make the truck fit the image of the MSU symbol soon to be called Spirit of ’22.

“We had a contest for our students to name it and the winner received tuition and fees for the next semester. It was Carlos Thomas who thought of Spirit of ’22,” Ponder said.

Herb Easley, a local car dealership, donated a maroon and gold paint job. Ponder took the truck to Herald Lindsey, formally head of the fire department in Wichita Falls. He outfitted it with a fire hose, a fireman suit and a pick ax. The truck was one of he main attractions for students before a game. “Before the football games, all of the students would tailgate,” Ponder said. “We would park the truck at the stadium and different organizations would take turns manning the truck during the tailgate parties. Some would have themes, like dress up as firefighters and jump rope with the fire hose.” The truck served a purpose during the game also. After MSU scored a touchdown, its piercing siren rang throughout the stadium.

Although Ponder has driven the truck many times, the truck hasn’t always held up its end of the bargain. It has broken down four times on her. One night, coming home from a game, sheets of rain began pouring down. The truck died at the corner of Maplewood and Southwest Parkway. It was 11 p.m. Ponder dialed 911 and attempted to describer her situation to the operator. “The lady had to think it was a joke since it was eleven o’clock at night, raining outside, and I had to describe the 1942 Dodge Pumper fire truck I was driving.” Ponder was left stranded until police and a wrecker service came to her rescue. “Ironically, the driver of the wrecker service used to drive the fire truck in Chillicothe as a volunteer firefighter,” she said. “The truck was obviously a fond memory of his because he kept referring to it as his ‘baby.’”

           
Today, the MSU spirit truck is worn and tired. It rests outside the maintenance building. George Cleveland, MSU mechanic 2, and other mechanics do occasional maintenance on the truck when necessary. The truck has been used for many purposes over the years and is now under the discretion of Student Activities Director Matt Park.

           
But the past decade has taken a toll on the truck. Big Daddy Wrecker Service transports it to some games, especially the Homecoming game. “The truck still runs and can be driven around campus. It breaks down occasionally, so we think it’s safer to have a wrecker service to transport it along Southwest Parkway to the football games,” Cleveland said. The Spirit of ’22 has been a traditional symbol of MSU pride for the last decade and hopefully years to come.