Freshmen are the easiest students on any college campus to identify, but at ACU it is even easier to spot the freshmen football players.

A new tradition that was started by the upperclassmen continues to entertain students and faculty alike.

Yes, those haircuts that have been seen by many on campus are the football team’s way of introducing new team members to the university and its prominent football program.

However, some narrowly escape this team initiation according to Junior offensive lineman Blake Spears.

“It’s kind of based on which position you play. Almost every new offensive lineman will get one, and a few other positions but it really depends,” said Spears.

So the new players could warm up to the look before school, the haircuts were done weeks ago. As a whole, the players have adjusted well to what could be considered an embarrassing tradition.

“There will never be only one player with a haircut so it’s not bad at all. Everyone knows that you play football so they understand why you have the haircut. Yes it’s embarrassing, but it’s all in good fun,” Spears said.

Although it’s a less than-desirable look, Nathan Butler seems to be enjoying the attention he has been receiving and is basking in the limelight.

“Girls will usually come up and ask about it,” Butler said. “But it’s really not that bad, and I enjoy the attention just about all of the time.”

Thanks mainly to Senior offensive lineman Neal Tivis, these creative and humorous new looks are for the ACU community to enjoy.

Tivis has been giving new players a reason to be recognized for the past few years, and he gets more imaginative and innovative as the years go on. Although there are a number of haircuts being recycled from years passed, there are also a few new looks that are being recognized as well.

For instance, the infamous “Friar Tuck” look just might give the ACU favorite “bowl cut” a run for its money. This monk-inspired design was sported this year by Hunter McAnnally, another offensive lineman from Flower Mound.

Other looks include the ever popular Wildcat hand sign, the ACU logo, phrases, mottos and more. The possibilities are limitless.

For quarterback Mitchell Gale, this humorous exercise serves more of a purpose than a good laugh or two.

“Yeah, it’s fun to mess around with the incoming guys, but it serves more of a purpose that you’d think,” Gale said. “It’s our way of welcoming the guys to the team and it signifies to them that they are part of our family.”

For a good laugh, be on the lookout for students who could use another haircut, this time from a professional.