The Snake Pit: A CMU Tradition

Information and photos courtesy of CMU's Clarke Historical Library and historian Grant Skomski

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Snakes and toilet paper? Not exactly peanut butter and jelly.

But when the fans are having fun and the arena's rocking, who cares?

As Central Michigan celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the Toilet Paper Toss when it hosts rival Western Michigan at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28, a lesser-known tradition will also be on display as CMU celebrates the Snake Pit, the nickname bestowed upon then-Rose Arena by an unknowing Jud Heathcote, the former Michigan State coach.

Heathcote brought his Spartans up U.S. 127 for a game with the upstart Chippewas in the late 1970s and went back down the highway with a loss and a fond memory of Rose Arena.

"We will never come back here and play in that snake pit again," Heathcote lamented after the game.

The name stuck and was promptly adopted by CMU students. A few years later, those students rolled out the Toilet Paper Toss.

But more on that later.

Shortly after that win over MSU, CMU student Richard Uebbing drafted a letter written in the name of then-CMU coach Dick Parfitt. The letter, addressed to students, laid out the criteria for the Snake Pit.

"Show school spirit, wear maroon and gold, the concept being that the north end of the arena would be the maroon end and the south end, the gold side," said Grant Skomski, a CMU historian who was then the residence director at Thorpe Hall, which is where Uebbing lived. "(Parfitt) wanted the spirit, the shouting, the distractions for the opposing team.

"When the opposing team would be introduced, the Snake Pit would yell, 'Who cares! Underrated! Go home! The student section will stand, cheer, and yell until CMU would make its first offensive field goal."

Members of the Snake Pit wore maroon t-shirts emblazoned with a snake logo and soon Rose was among the most volatile and rowdy atmospheres in all of college basketball. Opposing coaches and teams feared a visit to Mount Pleasant.

It was members of the Snake Pit who hatched the Toilet Paper Toss tradition when a few unleased a roll or two onto the gym floor during a game. The stunt ignited the crowd and the Chippewa players, who rallied to win the game.

After the game, the coaches walked to the stands and thanked the Snake Pit for their contribution to the win.

The antics continued the following week in a game against Toledo as Thorpe residents challenged Robinson Hall residents to a spirit contest with the winner receiving free pizza.

"They had toilet paper tucked in their jackets, tucked in their pants," Skomski said. "As the game commenced, the Snake Pit did their thing and waited for the first offensive field goal to be scored.

"When CMU scored, the toilet paper flowed and everybody saw it. It was exciting, it was crazy, and it caused a delay of game as they had to clean up the toilet paper. No one remembers if we won or lost that game, but everyone remembered the moment."

Central Michigan's next game was against rival Western Michigan. By this time, talk of the toilet paper toss had spread across campus and the spectacle continued to grow.

Suddenly, there was a rush to find toilet paper on campus and every on-campus facility ran short. The arena was packed. CMU scored its first offensive field goal and it rained toilet paper rolls. It was at that very moment that university photographer Peggy Brisbane snapped the iconic photo which was published in People Magazine as a two-page spread.

"Toilet Paper Toss and the Snake Pit live in our lore and it's part of our history," Skomski said.

Below are some interesting excerpts from stories written about Central Michigan's Snake Pit:

Excerpts from 'Echos from the Snake Pit Revived,' by Rod Hart, Chippewa, 1987

Well, the Charmin people did booming business in Mount Pleasant during the 1986-87 men's basketball season, and they had the resurgence of the "Snake Pit" to thank for it.

Richmond senior Don Gardner thought the team got charged up from all the hysteria created in the cozy confines of Rose.

"I think its worth at least five points a game," Gardner said. "When you have 300 fans sticking their hands up to distract the free throw shooters, it's almost like having a sixth man."

Ten years ago, Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote brought a highly regarded team to play Central at Rose, and after the Spartans were whipped by the Chippewas and their inspired fans, Heathcote vowed he would never bring another State team into Rose again, a vow he has stuck to. In those days, such greats as Dan Roundfield, Ben Poquette and Dave Grauzer whipped the crowds into frenzies that drove opposing teams bananas.

"I can remember when people lined up all the way to Broomfield (about half a mile) to get into the gym," Athletic Director Dave Keilitz said.

Excerpts from "The Old Snake Pit isn't dead yet, it's just sleeping," by Greg Helming, CM Life Feb. 27, 1985

Opposing coaches hated to bring their basketball teams into Rose Arena. During the '70s it was voted the worst place in the Mid-American Conference to play a road game. Football players used to sit in the front row, where they could stand up and be a few feet from the court. Being much larger than referees, they could be quite intimidating.

Plus, Rose must have been designed by someone who believed every sound wave was precious and should be conserved. When people start yelling in there, it can become deafening. It was all a whole bunch of fun for the fans. It was a happening. People would start arriving at the arena hours before the game in order to get a good seat.

Excerpts from "Central Backers Return to form," by Lee Thompson, CM Life, Friday Jan. 29, 1988

Central backers return to form. Somebody once said the home court is worth 10 points in college basketball. And Rose Arena gave CMU an almost unfair advantage in its 83-73 win against Western Michigan.

The fans were there, 5,971, showing the spirit that helped carry CMU to an undefeated 13-0 home record a year ago. And more importantly the revitalized CMU basketball team played to its potential, crushing the Broncos.

"This is one of the greatest collegiate basketball atmospheres I've been around. And I've been around," Western Michigan head coach Vernon Payne said, 'It's a great experience for people who love college basketball. This is what college basketball is all about."

There was no toilet paper, but the crowd was energetic all the same. It even worked on new tactics.

A sea of maroon and gold pom pons was waving behind each basket, while some fans squeaked balloons from tip-off to CMU's first basket at which point the balloons were ceremoniously popped.

"I don't know what happened -- maybe it was Western," CMU head coach Charlie Coles said. "This is a big rivalry and that's good."

It appeared the Broncos, who were riding a three-game winning streak, stumbled in front of a team on a roll that isn't ready to slow down. CMU's momentum is going and it seems to be heading up the Mid-American Conference ladder.

The Chippewas move to 4-2 in the MAC, jumping into a second-place tie behind Eastern Michigan. CMU has now won five of its last six games and look tough to beat. With the Snake Pit in effect, teams will once again fear playing the Chippewas in Rose Arena.

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