Wah Wahtaysee Park
An invitation-only pep squad formed in 1926 was named the Wah Wahtaysees. Wahwahtaysee means firefly in the Chippewa language. The pep squad had an enrollment of 50 girls, and they marched at games and other public events. Wah Wahtaysee later became a drum corps and then evolved into a women’s service organization. It is likely the park area located at the corner of South 14th Street and Sayles Boulevard was named for this prolific and very active organization on campus. Wah Wahtaysee Park became the site of many events, including Tipi Village and the bonfire held every year at homecoming. Concerts, pep rallies, slime olympics, and back to school picnics have all been held in this popular campus venue, and in recent years, the Park has been home to a butterfly garden and the Peace Pole. In 2022, it is to become the site of the Centennial Iris Garden.
