By Nethan Crew, Managing editor of production 

College Night is often attributed as the “oldest homecoming tradition of its kind.” The tradition started in 1919 as college “stunts” between the classes in the metaphorical infancy of Alabama College, the original name for what we now know as the University of Montevallo. Within three years, this became a contest between the Purple and Gold teams. 

Early College Nights included a toast, a “pep song,” a slow song, a stunt and an impersonation from each side, divided up by cheers and music. Performances were held in the dining hall until 1927, then Reynolds until 1930. Following this, College Night was moved into the, at the time, new Palmer Auditorium.  

In 1950, students, faculty and staff decided that each side should put on a single production, leading to the one-act musical format that we now see today. 

Everything top down has always been solely made by the students participating. Everything from the costumes, set, music and script has always been at the discretion and imagination of the student body.  

Before the end of the night on Saturday, each side has chosen a secret phrase, often from the script of its production, as a marker of victory. Instead of outright announcing the winner, the SGA President will write and orate a speech that includes the winning sides’ chosen phrase. Both the winning and losing sides’ reaction to this phrase is often “immediate and overwhelming.” 

The Purple Side, as of 2025, has won the night 52 times, and the Gold Side has won 48. The longest winning streak on record is attributed to the early 1960s, where the Gold Side won a staggering 7 College Night contests in a row, now formally known as the “golden chain.” 

In 2000, College Night was selected as a “local legacy,” and memorabilia from over the years was featured in a bicentennial exhibit at the Library of Congress, and now sits in the library’s American Folklife Center.  

In 2019, a chronological history of the contest was written by 2008 graduate and current Communications professor Dr Jefferson Walker. This book traces the tradition all the way from 1919 to 2019, including everything he could potentially find.  

After 107 years since the tradition’s beginnings, the power and spirit of love for your chosen family at the University of Montevallo will press on for hopefully another hundred years.