Bell Tower Brings Spirit to Spartan Athletic Games

The Spartan Athletic Park is ringing with Spartan pride thanks to the Aurora College Class of 1969.

The new Spirit Bell Tower arrived at the park this past summer, a class gift on the occasion of their 50th reunion in 2019. The bell will be rung at the start of Spartan athletic competitions, after a Spartan victory, and for special events.

“The idea of the Spirit Bell Tower got us excited because it reminded us of the strong sense of community and the excitement we felt as students more than 50 years ago,” said Tom Gandee ’69, a member of the class reunion committee. “We wanted our class gift to contribute to the vibrancy and energy of campus life.”

The class reunion committee also donated a plaque installed at the base of the tower with a Biblical verse to inspire Spartans in all of their endeavors: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

The committee selected the scripture verse to remind students that competition isn’t just about winning. It’s about how you conduct yourself when competing.

“School pride and team spirit are critical to any athletic event,” said Cindy Gandee ’69. “Our hope is that when the Spirit Bell Tower rings and hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, and fans cry out, ‘We are Spartans! We are Spartans!’ our student-athletes and their opponents will hear the spirit of the AU community.”