An MSU Army ROTC Tradition

Department of Military Science at Michigan Agricultural College was founded during the school year 1884-85. One of the many traditions established since the program’s development is the Military Ball, an annual formal dinner-dance hosted by the Spartan Battalion and the Department of     Military Science. The Ball evolved from military “hops” which were organized by the Michigan Agricultural College Officers’ Associ­ation and were held each term during the early 1900’s. In 1909 Cadets were required for the first time to wear their uniforms to the hops. This gave the affairs a distinctly military flair and dramatically distinguished them from other formal social functions on-campus.