• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Diadeloso
  • Schedule of Events
  • Attractions
  • Dia Cup Tournaments
  • Live Music / Entertainment
  • Food
  • History
  • Apparel
Baylor BU Diadeloso History

History of Diadeloso

It can be a little hard to explain just what Diadeloso is to someone who isn’t an oso. It’s more than a day of frivolity and shenanigans on a random Tuesday in spring; it’s a time for the Baylor family to take a break from their daily stresses and celebrate life. And this year, Diadeloso is turning 90 years old.

In the 1930s, the life of a university student was not exactly a carefree one. The Bears of that decade witnessed the Great Depression and one world war already (with another to come in a few years), plus the death of Baylor President Samuel Palmer Brooks just before the 1931 graduation ceremonies. His successor as president, Pat Neff, had a tough job ahead of him.

Shortly after Neff’s inauguration, he declared that the university would suspend classes for a day to give the hardworking and downtrodden Baylor students a break from the reality of their hardships — a day when they could focus on fellowship with one another.

Thus was born “All-University Day,” the forerunner of today’s Diadeloso. On May 11, 1932, more than 800 Baylor students, faculty and staff bought 25-cent tickets for transportation from campus to nearby Silver Lake. They ate barbecue and held friendly competitions in baseball, swimming, track, wrestling, three-legged races, and even yo-yoing! But the big event of the day was the tug-of-war between the freshmen and sophomores.

The 1937 All-University Day consisted of 99 events, such as jacks, leapfrog, a bicycle race, and even a donkey race, held on campus from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the years, the event’s name changed several times, first to “Physical Fitness Day” and then “May Day” before finally landing on “Diadeloso” — the “day of the Bear” — in 1966.

Today’s Diadeloso events usually include a fun run, sporting competitions, food trucks, live music, live animals, dance performances, and of course, tug-of-war. 

The students of 1932 had it rougher than most, but every college student could use a break this time of year. Thank you, Baylor, for continuing to give students this day of celebration and relaxation. Life can be chaotic and stressful, but for Baylor students, there’s always one day a year that isn’t: Diadeloso. [Excerpted from Baylor Proud]

Lariat Article from Dia 1932
The May 12, 1932 Baylor Lariat article about the very first Baylor Diadeloso

 

Diadeloso

March 28, 2023
Fountain Mall
Attractions
History
Schedule of Events
Baylor BU Diadeloso History
  • Schedule of Events
  • Attractions
  • Dia Cup Tournaments
  • Live Music / Entertainment
  • Food
  • History
  • Apparel
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give Light
  • Give to Baylor
  • Illuminate
  • News
  • Pro Futuris
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Baylor Libraries
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Accessibility
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Report It
  • Title IX
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678