To the editor:

“Chant” definition: A repetitive liturgical melody in which as many syllables are assigned to each tone as required.

You will note there is no mention of yelling.

As the commercial says, “Some things money can’t buy.” Tradition is one of those things.  When I entered Kansas University as a freshman in the fall of 1940, I was given KU traditions by those preceding me to cherish and pass on. The Rock Chalk Chant was one of the foremost. In this manner it has come down through the years. The last tone is not dropped until halfway through the last yo-o-ou. It has become world famous with almost all national sports announcers referring to it. (Dick Vitale loves it)

Joke example: The al-Qaida captured two American soldiers. One was a KU alumnus and one was a Kansas State alumnus. The captor told the soldiers, “We shoot our prisoners but give you one last request.” He turned to the KU alumnus, who said, “I want just one more time to hear the famous Rock Chalk Chant.” The captor turned to the K-State alumnus, who said, “In that case, shoot me first.” It isn’t the yelling that annoys our rivals; it is the eerieness of the chant.

I know our “awesome” student section will see that the chant is not altered with any yelling and will pass this sacred tradition on in its correct form to those coming after them.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU!