Central Michigan University Athletics
Toilet Paper Toss: A Central Michigan Tradition
TOILET PAPER TOSS
Central Michigan University spotlights a cherished tradition each year with its annual Toilet Paper Toss Game, held during a designated men’s basketball contest. A time-honored Central Michigan tradition, the Toilet Paper Toss was brought back for the first time in 20 years on January 28, 2023, and has continued since.
At this time-honored and highly anticipated event, fans receive a roll of toilet paper, and at a predetermined time before the game, the crowd simultaneously throws its rolls onto the floor, creating a cascading spectacle for all to see. The event has also proved to be a success for the CMU men’s basketball team, as the Chippewas are undefeated in Toilet Paper Toss games.
The toilet paper toss tradition began at Central Michigan during the 1982-83 basketball season, with the first event occurring in early February 1983. The fad was short-lived but was brought back in 1986 by the athletic department. An iconic photograph during the February 18, 1987, game against Western Michigan, taken by CMU photographer Peggy Brisbane, was published in People Magazine.
During that time, Central Michigan's student section was known as the Snake Pit. During games, the student group sported maroon t-shirts depicting a snake logo. Legend has it that a rival coach referred to playing a game in the arena as being in a "snake pit,” and the name was subsequently adopted by the CMU student section.
CMU has since brought back the Snake Pit as the official name of the student section.
Central Michigan University spotlights a cherished tradition each year with its annual Toilet Paper Toss Game, held during a designated men’s basketball contest. A time-honored Central Michigan tradition, the Toilet Paper Toss was brought back for the first time in 20 years on January 28, 2023, and has continued since.
At this time-honored and highly anticipated event, fans receive a roll of toilet paper, and at a predetermined time before the game, the crowd simultaneously throws its rolls onto the floor, creating a cascading spectacle for all to see. The event has also proved to be a success for the CMU men’s basketball team, as the Chippewas are undefeated in Toilet Paper Toss games.
The toilet paper toss tradition began at Central Michigan during the 1982-83 basketball season, with the first event occurring in early February 1983. The fad was short-lived but was brought back in 1986 by the athletic department. An iconic photograph during the February 18, 1987, game against Western Michigan, taken by CMU photographer Peggy Brisbane, was published in People Magazine.
During that time, Central Michigan's student section was known as the Snake Pit. During games, the student group sported maroon t-shirts depicting a snake logo. Legend has it that a rival coach referred to playing a game in the arena as being in a "snake pit,” and the name was subsequently adopted by the CMU student section.
CMU has since brought back the Snake Pit as the official name of the student section.