Daze of Rock Festival

The Daze of Rock: '60s to the '80s

Site of the Daze of Rock Festival

The Daze of Rock Festival came about as a response to the canceling of an annual event called Springfest.  Several student groups including the Resident Student Association, the University Activities Organization, the Undergraduate Student Government, worked together to to create a one day event capping off the university's 60's week.

"Dunking English teachers, jamming with a '60s rock band and spiking volleyballs are all a part of the wide variety of things to do during the all-campus event, "Daze of Rock: '60s to the '80s." a BG News article announced.

AD from the BG News, April 22nd, 1987. 

The event took place on April 25th, from noon to 7 p.m. between Harshman and Kreischer Quadrangles by the Peregrine Pond and featured a carnival with 13 booths, including a kissing booth and a dunking booth filled with english teachers. Other attractions included mini golf, a kite show, a volleyball tournament with prizes furnished by sponsors Coca Cola and Nestle.

 Pam Cancelli, a member of the "Daze of Rock" committee, said of the event "We want to start a tradition and hope that the event carries on into the future." This was the only Daze of Rock event held.

Photo of City Heat from the Cleveland Sun News January 16th, 2010

Playing the event was Cleveland, Ohio, band City Heat, featuring singer Steve Koleszar, formerly of the hair band Champion, and Chris Cuda of the infamous Cleveland protopunk group Rocket from the Tombs. City Heat celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2009, the two now play in the band ProgNation, a prog rock tribute band in the Cleveland area.

Peregrine Pond started off as natural pond formations on the outskirts of the BGSU campus, and were later co-opted as water hazards for the old University golf course. As the campus developed,  classroom and instruction-related buildings were built in the center of campus with student residence halls at the outer edges. Harshman and Memorial Hall were built and the pond formations were reformed into a single decorative feature and named Peregrine Pond.

Alumni Mall

Peregrine Pond has since been drained to create Alumni Mall, which held its dedication on October 4th, 2001, and holds several plaques honoring various donors and affiliations including the American Legion Buckeye Boys, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Tochigi Fuji America.

Alumni Mall Plaque