in may 1886, professor edgar henry summerfield bailey first proposed the cheer that would become the "rock chalk jayhawk, k.u.” chant. initially created for the ku science club, bailey's version was "rah, rah, jayhawk, ku" repeated three times. the rahs were later replaced by "rock chalk." this is a transposition of chalk rock, the name for the limestone found on mount oread, where the lawrence campus is. over time, the chant became known worldwide. former u.s. president theodore roosevelt said it the "greatest college chant he'd ever heard." in 1920, the king of belgium asked for a normal american college chant at the olympic games. after discussion, the athletes at the games agreed on the rock chalk chant.