Archives West Finding Aid

On March 13, 1922, the Knights of the Hook, a University of Washington underclass service organization, was granted permission by the UW administration to form a national organization, the Intercollegiate Knights. On April 12, final sanction was given by the university and the Intercollegiate Knights were incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The next step was to establish the Intercollegiate Knights in other universities and colleges and five chapters were installed as charter members, including the Fang Chapter at Montana State College. The "Fangs," as they became commonly known, had existed as a local service organization from the year 1919 and contributed much to the national Intercollegiate Knights in the years that followed. In 1931, the National Convention was held in Bozeman, and in 1950 the campus hosted the convention again. Bud Lowe, former Royal King and Duke of the Fang in 1933, was chosen National Advisor at the same Chapter and wrote the lyrics for the Intercollegiate Knights Service Song which was adopted and copyrighted by the national organization in the same year. The Fangs enjoyed a close cooperation with the SPURS, a female collegiate service organization and sometimes held joint meetings with them on the Bozeman campus. The Fangs ceased operating at Montana State University in 2000 and the Spurs in 2006, but former members from both organizations remain active in the Montana State University Alumni Association.