What's A Hoya? - FAQ - Answers @ Georgetown Library - Just Ask

Home » What Does Hoya Saxa Mean » What's A Hoya? - FAQ - Answers @ Georgetown Library - Just Ask

Maybe your like

Skip to Main Content

User account menu

Your Account Toggle navigation menu Georgetown University Library Home
  • Services
    • Borrow & Renew
    • Interlibrary & Consortium Loans
    • Request & Pick Up
    • Course Reserves
    • Office Delivery
    • Equipment
    • Disability Support
    • Printing & Scanning
    • Off-Campus Access
    • Software
    • LinkedIn Learning
  • Research
    • Research Consultations
    • Research & Course Guides
    • Citation Tools
    • Subject Librarians
    • Digital Scholarship
    • Data Services
    • Design & Create
    • Digital Publishing
    • Scholarly Communication
    • Copyright
    • Articles & Databases
  • Collections
    • Rare Books, Manuscripts, Art & Archives
    • Articles & Databases
    • DigitalGeorgetown
    • Library Catalogs
    • Audio & Video Collection
    • Slavery, Memory & Reconciliation
    • Exhibitions
    • Library Maps & Call Number Locations
  • Spaces
    • Study Spaces
    • Computing Spaces
    • Meeting & Instruction Spaces
    • Maker Hub
    • Digital Media Studios
    • Gelardin Center
    • Booth Family Center for Special Collections
    • Writing Center
    • Carrels & Lockers
    • Bioethics Research Library
    • Blommer Science Library
    • Lauinger Library
    • Georgetown University in Qatar Library
    • Capitol Campus Library
    • All Georgetown Libraries
  • About
    • Hours
    • Maps & Directions
    • Events
    • Give to the Library
    • Policies
    • Contact Us
    • Staff Directory
    • Library Departments
    • Library Showcase
  1. Georgetown University Library
  2. FAQ
  3. Georgetown Campus and Neighborhood
  • 30 Answers
  • Groups
  • Topics
FAQ: Georgetown Campus and Neighborhood Ask Another Question Search

What's a Hoya?

Answer

(This excerpt is from Georgetown Fast Facts)

What's a Hoya? Contrary to popular perception, the word “Hoya” actually had nothing to do with classical Greek. It simply was the preferred college yell or cheer used by students at Georgetown (whose first teams were known as the Hilltoppers) in the early years of college athletics. In addition to the traditional “hurrahs,” “huzzah, huzzahs, “ and “hip, hip, hoorays” attached to a school’s name and its colors, spirited students would search to find their own rousing cry. On the Hilltop, it was simply “hoya, hoya, Georgetown.” The yell “Hoya Saxa” was first reported in a newspaper account of a Georgetown football game in 1894. Georgetown fans were described as “encouraging their athletes with their college yell of ’Hoya-hoya-saxa!’” By the end of the century, the cheer had become established as the Georgetown College yell. Like the cheer of rival school Virginia (“Wahoo-wah”), the Georgetown College yell evolved into the nickname for the teams themselves, who eventually became known far and wide as the Georgetown Hoyas.

Topics

  • Georgetown Campus and Neighborhood
  • Last Updated Feb 14, 2024
  • Views 11784
  • Answered By Lauinger Reference

FAQ Actions

Was this helpful? Yes 27 No 11

Comments (3)

  1. Yes,very helpful. I have been saying Hoya the for years. Thanks Granddaughter Vanessa C.Moore. #42 Hoya by Dolores Dyer Moore on Sep 07, 2024
  2. I heard this "Hoya" story from my great-uncle, Dr. John G. Bowen, who served from 1929-1935 as secretary to Georgetown University President, the Rev. W. Coleman Nevils, S.J. My uncle claimed that the "Hoya" cheer began with Georgetown law students, would yell "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez" at the beginning of football games. "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez" (an Anglo-Norman word) is a cry used to introduce the opening of a court of law. My uncle said the cheers of "Oyez!" eventually became "Hoya." by Mary Beth Bowen on Oct 03, 2024
  3. Seems like a half-baked April Fools joke. I would have expected at least some evidence to be presented as part of this outlandish claim. by Chris Bobbitt (C’2005) on Nov 16, 2025
Add a public comment to this FAQ Entry

Contact Us

[email protected] [email protected] Text us: 202-800-1728 Text us: 202-800-1728 Submit a Question Submit a Question Powered by Springshare; All rights reserved. Report a problem Login to LibApps

Tag » What Does Hoya Saxa Mean