It Happened at Michigan — How Maize and Blue Became U-M’s Colors

The tradition of school colors dates back to 1836 when the University of Cambridge adopted “Cambridge blue” for a boat race against Oxford. The University of Michigan followed suit in 1867, choosing “azure blue” and “maize,” with the latter selected for contrast. In 1912, to end confusion and create a lasting symbol, U-M standardized a deeper blue and golden maize, colors that would come to represent the university’s spirit and legacy and are still celebrated today.