The Naked Mile was a popular University of Michigan campus tradition ever since 12 members of the university’s men’s and women’s rowing team and varsity men’s track team made the first streak down South University Avenue in 1986. It was held on the last day of classes. Hardly anyone noticed.
The “Naked Mile” grew larger and larger over time to the point where hundreds of students ran naked down S. University and thousands of spectators came to watch the event.
The event really began to grow when large numbers of women began to run. In the 1999 run, well over 30% of the “runners” were women. On April 20, 1999, nearly 10,000 spectators came to watch approximately 800 people make the run.
In 2000, the teams credited with starting the tradition boycotted the event, declaring they no longer wanted to participate in the Mile.
“With the large crowds and the heavy emphasis on taking pictures for the Internet, the Naked Mile is no longer something the team wishes to be associated with,” said former men’s lacrosse team president Greg Walker in a written statement released that year. “It used to be a fun outing, but for the past two years, it has become increasingly uncomfortable and unsafe. We don’t want our team to be linked with the circus the event has become.”
In 2001, the Mile was broadcast live over the Internet by Cyber Management Inc, an Atlanta-based company. Photographers from national media and pornography organizations hovered over the event in blimps and helicopters.
The heightened publicity, plus efforts by the university to put an end to the Naked Mile, finally succeeded.
The Naked Mile fizzled out.
Sources:
Maria Sprow, “U. Michigan tradition of Naked Mile holds negative reputation“, The Badger Herald, April 16, 2003.
“This Week in Daily History”, Michigan Daily, April 20, 2004.
Naked Mile History Via Ann Arbor Police Department.