Spirit cheese

From USAFA Folklore

Spirit cheese refers to squares of cheese that are thrown (nay, flung) into the air for the purposes of morale and espirit de corps. Spirit cheese may be thrown in Mitchell Hall, but is most often seen thrown at football games. Occasionally the spirit cheese tradition has bled over into other, more injurious throwables, such as "spirit pizza boxes". As such, the throwing of spirit cheese is generally frowned upon by the powers that be.

[edit] The origin of spirit cheese

The tradition of spirit cheese began circa 1984, and the commonly accepted first appearance was at football games in the early 80s. Prior to spirit cheese, the most popular item to be thrown from the stands at Falcon Stadium was streaming rolls of toilet paper. This activity became "too popular", and a ruling came down from on high that the throwing of toilet paper was banned, but that other demonstrations of spirit were encouraged. The loophole was left wide open, and even suggested the name for the new brand of flying cheese. The first cadet to flight test a square of cheese was probably some aero major. It caught on like wild fire. Lunch was normally served as a "tailgate" party for cadets on football days. Burgers, hot dogs and such were served with single-serving, plastic-covered cheese squares as "burger dressing". Cadets going through the line would grab a large hand full of singles to be thrown during touchdown celebrations. At first, it was more an act of rebellion for toilet paper repression. But by the second game, the flying cheese took on a life of its own. And eventually it too became "too popular". The practice was outlawed in 1986 and unwrapped cheese was served instead of singles. Spirit cheese has, however, made comebacks, with cheese either smuggled from Mitch's or procured elsewhere.