By Karlie Carlson, Sports Information Manager
Traditions give us a glimpse of the past, a look at where we come from and where we are going. At Servite, traditions run deep both on campus and in athletics. From the Friar mascot to the all black uniforms, the Servite vs. Mater Dei Rivalry, to the singing of the Salve Regina, everyone has a favorite moment or memory that stands out to them. It might be the alma mater, Freshman Football, the 4 D’s (Desire, Dedication, Discipline, Determination) or the Servite student section, but no tradition is more iconic than the Hut Drill.
Created in 1961 by Hall of Fame Football Coach George Dena, the Hut Drill is a Servite tradition that has withstood the test of time.
Coach Dena shared in a previous interview his inspiration to create the drill saying, “I went to watch the University of Washington practice over at Long Beach City College, where Washington was getting ready to play in the Rose Bowl. I was really impressed with their warm-up routine. It was such a disciplined kind of thing they were doing, and very new at the time. It was the first time I’d seen a group of athletes drill with so much precision. It gave me the idea of developing a precision drill.”
After that day, the Hut Drill was born. Nearly 60 years later it is still executed before and after every football game and symbolizes discipline, precision, teamwork and character, whether the team wins or loses. The Hut Drill sets the tone for the beginning of the game and brings closure to the end of the game.
Every summer, a new crop of athletes learn the drill by practicing for countless hours until their timing and synchronization are perfect. Come football season, it is their time to shine as they perform the Hut Drill with pride in honor of all the alumni who have gone before them and for all of the future Friars eagerly waiting for their chance to take their place.
Traditions like the Hut Drill have helped shape the history of Servite Athletics and paved the way to where we are today. From Servite’s first CIF title in 1960 when the Friars’ football team defied the odds winning the championship with only sophomores and juniors to the implementation of our 13th sport in 2007, Servite Athletics has thrived.
Over 60 years of excellence, the Friars have tallied 30 CIF Team Championships, 46 CIF Individual titles and 142 Trinity League Championships while helping to form Faith-Filled Leaders and turn out talented student-athletes. More than 300 athletes have gone on to compete at the collegiate level in the last 10 years alone while 30+ have played professionally.
