Legend of the Broomstick Drill

According to legend, in the fall of 1858 Theodore Hyatt observed some of his students practicing military drills with broomsticks in the recreation room of the school. Infantry Drills then became part of the school because they provided physical exercise and impart habits of “order, neatness, system, punctuality, and gentlemanly carriage” in every Cadet. Uniformity was important and Cadets were required to wear uniforms. These consisted of

… a frock coat of dark blue cloth, single breasted, with velvet collar to turn down,with one row of ten gilt buttons, of the School pattern, to button up to the throat. The pantaloons will be of dark blue cloth, with a black cord one-eighth of an inch thick set in the outer seam. Caps of black cloth in the school pattern were to be worn.

This was the birth of the military program at PMC. Alumni continue to celebrate the legend of the broomsticks (called “The Broom Drill”) by parading with brooms during Homecoming.

Note: While the “legend” may be true, according the Circular (school catalogue) for 1858, which was printed during the summer, both Infantry Drill and uniforms were to be introduced at the opening of School on September 6, 1858. If the cadets drilled with broomsticks in the fall, it was because the Governor of Delaware had not yet given the school the military arms for drill.